Traveling abroad with pets

5 days ago

Summer is here, and with it the holiday season. Many people plan to travel abroad not only with their suitcases but also with their four-legged companions. However, traveling with a pet is not just about packing bowls and a bed – it requires timely preparation, meeting veterinary requirements, and often official documents.

Traveling with animals within the EU – what's mandatory:

  1. European pet passport

    • Issued by a veterinarian.

    • Contains information about the microchip, vaccinations, and owner.

  2. Microchip

    • Mandatory for pet identification.

    • Must be readable and applied before vaccination.

  3. Valid rabies vaccination

    • At least 21 days before travel.

    • The vaccine must be EU-recognized and valid.

  4. Maximum of 5 animals

  • For non-commercial purposes (e.g., vacation).

  • Exceptions apply for shows/competitions.

Traveling outside the EU – what else might be required:

Here, everything mandatory for travel within the EU is required, and additionally, the following may be requested:

  1. Veterinary certificate (so-called “health certificate”)

    • Issued by the state veterinary authority.

    • Usually valid for 10 days.

  2. Rabies antibody titration test

    • Required by, for example, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Morocco.

    • Blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination, with results available in 3–4 weeks.

  3. Quarantine

    • Some countries (e.g., Australia, New Zealand) require mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

  4. Specific antiparasitic treatment – deworming

    • Some countries (e.g., Finland, Ireland, Malta) require deworming against echinococci.

    • Performed by a veterinarian 24–120 hours before entering the country.

WARNING!
Some countries (e.g., Finland, Ireland, Malta) require deworming against echinococci!
This is performed by a veterinarian 24–120 hours before entry into the country.

When to visit the veterinarian?

Recommended timeline:

  • Travel within the EU:

    • Visit the vet at least 3–4 weeks before departure – for vaccination and passport issuance.

  • Travel outside the EU:

    • Begin preparations 2–3 months in advance – due to the blood test (titration), waiting period, and document approvals.

  • Deworming (if required):

    • Must be administered 24–120 hours before entering certain countries (e.g., Ireland, Malta, Finland).

How to transport the animal?

  • By plane:

    • Small animals may travel in the cabin (in a carrier), larger ones go in the cargo hold.

    • Each airline has its own rules – it is recommended to reserve space for the animal as early as possible.

  • By car:

    • Use a secure transport crate, safety belts, or protective netting.

    • Ensure water, ventilation, and regular breaks during the drive.

So what must the animal always have?

Regardless of the destination, an animal traveling abroad must have the following:

  1. European pet passport

  2. Microchip

  3. Rabies vaccination

Practical tips to finish:

  • Check the validity of the vaccination and microchip.

  • Information on pet entry requirements can be found on the website of the Czech State Veterinary Administration: www.svscr.cz.

  • Check conditions also with the embassy of the destination country and any transit countries.

  • Don’t forget travel insurance for your pet if you're traveling for a long time or outside the EU.

  • If you're traveling for an event (show, competition), additional certificates may be required.

  • Don’t forget to check the airline's conditions if you are flying.

  • Start preparing as early as possible to avoid surprises.