What your dog, cat or ferret needs to have to travel to Italy
since the 1st of January 2021:
A microchip or a tattoo if tattooed before 3 July 2011
Recent rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) of age to have a rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination should occur after the microchip is implanted.
An official vet in your country of origin must examine your pet ten days before you travel to Italy.
An animal health certificate or a pet passport. If coming from outside the EU, you will most likely need an animal health certificate, and if within the EU, you most likely have a valid pet passport. If travelling from the UK, you’ll need an animal health certificate. You can add up to 5 pets onto one animal health certificate. As these certificates are only valid for a single trip, the costs for multiple trips could quickly add up. If you plan to travel to Italy often, it would be worthwhile to consider a pet passport (obtained within Italy).
If you and your pet are travelling separately, you must travel within five days of each other; use your travel documentation to prove this. Should you travel more than five days apart, your pet’s travel will be considered commercial. Your pet will then need an export health certificate that you can apply for, and a vet must complete it 48 hours before travel. Your pet will also need to leave your country from registered premises. A pet travel agency will usually have registered premises. A friend or relative travelling around the time of your pet could be the nominated “authorised person” travelling with your pet.
There is a limit of 5 family pets unless you are participating in or training for a competition, show or sporting event. You will need written proof of registration for the event when travelling. All your pets must attend the event or training, be older than six months and meet all travel requirements.
The above applies to dogs (also assistance dogs), cats and ferrets.
When to get an animal health certificate
If your pet has up-to-date rabies vaccinations or just needs booster doses to stay up-to-date, you will need to get an animal health certificate in ten days before entering Italy.
You can get an animal health certificate if your pet needs a rabies vaccination 21 days after the vaccination date. Your 21 days start the day after the vaccination.
Ensure that your vet can issue an animal travel certificate before booking, as it must come from an ‘official veterinarian (OV). If your vet can’t, they would be able to recommend an OV.
Travelling options for your pet
However, your pet travels to Italy be sure to check that your chosen point of entry into Italy is included in the list of accepted entry points for family pets.
Flying your pet to Italy
A flight could be the quickest option for your pet to join you in Italy. Some airlines allow smaller pets to travel in the cabin with you too. For the airlines that don’t and for larger pets, they usually travel in the pressurised hold inside specially made crates that allow your pet movement, have fixed water bowls and have comfy, light bedding.
For safety, your pet will travel without a collar, lead and their favourite toys - so be sure to keep all their favourite things with you for their new home.
It is essential to have all their travel documents ready as their records will stay taped to their travel crate the whole time.
Many airlines request for your pet to have a clean bill of health from your local vet within a few days of travel. Your airline will share its requirements at the time of booking.
When booking furry-friend flights, look closely to see if your pet will have flight changes or stopovers, as these can prolong the travel time, add risk and could stress your pet too.
Boarding is usually available on both sides if you need to take advantage of it.
Service and assistance dogs can usually travel with the owner as long as they wear a muzzle and are on a lead.
Travelling with your pet by train
Trenitalia and Italotreno allow pets to travel on trains. Italo even enables you to reserve your dog a seat.
Travelling with your pet by ship or ferry
Many ships and ferries allow pets to travel with you. We recommend checking before arrival and receiving the guidelines for your pet’s travel, including whether they can join you in a cabin, the required health documents and carrier regulations.
Italy’s Ministry of Health recommends speaking to your vet beforehand about seasickness so you have remedies to hand should your pet get seasick.
Travelling with your pet by car
It is also possible to drive your pet into Italy. While some pets absolutely love a bit of wind in their fur, others feel motion sickness. See how your pet handles a shorter trip before extending the length of your travels.
Be sure never to leave your pet in your car. They can overheat quickly.
Give them plenty of rest breaks to play and many opportunities to drink water.
Preparing your pet to travel
Give your pet a refreshing bath before they travel
Ensure the travel crate is suitable for your pet, and there is water in fixed water bowls (many carriers will offer you the option to buy/ rent a suitable-sized carrier)
Get all their travel documents together - their animal travel certificate or pet passport is the most critical document, as your pet won’t be able to travel without it.
Get your fur family checked out by your vet to see if they are healthy to travel and to talk through any calming medication you feel is necessary.
Make sure water is always available to your pet.
Refrain from feeding your pet a meal too close to their departure time.
When you arrive in Italy, no quarantine is needed for your pets. It’s time for you to enjoy some much-deserved relaxation together as you start your adventure in your new home in Italy.
