Guide
Moving abroad with pets
Most countries let you bring pets, but the documentation timeline is longer than people expect — often 3–6 months of advance work for rabies-controlled countries, and a full year for rabies-free ones like Australia, Hawaii, and the UK if coming from a non-listed country.
The universal three
ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit), rabies vaccination administered after the microchip, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. These are the floor — every country adds requirements on top.
Back to top ↑EU and most of Latin America
Microchip + rabies vaccine (at least 21 days before travel) + USDA-endorsed EU health certificate. No quarantine. Plan for one trip to your USDA-accredited vet plus one trip to a USDA endorsement office (some states do this by mail).
Back to top ↑The harder destinations
UK, Ireland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii — these require a rabies titer test (FAVN), often with a 30-day to 6-month waiting period after the blood draw before entry is allowed. Start planning at least 7 months before your move.
Back to top ↑Getting them on the plane
Small pets can usually fly in-cabin. Larger pets go as checked baggage or air cargo. Snub-nosed breeds (bulldogs, Persians) are banned by many airlines. Summer heat embargoes affect cargo. KLM, Lufthansa, and United have the best-known pet programs out of the US.
Back to top ↑FAQ
Which EU pet health certificate applies after October 2026?
For pets traveling from the United States, use the current certificate provided through the live USDA APHIS page for your destination and species. New non-commercial certificates became mandatory October 1, 2026, while new commercial certificates for dogs, cats, and ferrets became mandatory October 17, 2026. Non-commercial movement generally covers five or fewer pets traveling with their owner — or an authorized person traveling within five days of the owner — without a sale or ownership transfer. Unaccompanied travel, a gap of more than five days, a change of ownership, or travel involving more than five pets may require the commercial certificate. Confirm the classification and current form with USDA APHIS and a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Can I reuse a pet health certificate form I downloaded earlier?
No. Certificate versions and destination instructions can change. Use the live USDA APHIS destination page when you are ready to begin the process, and have your USDA-accredited veterinarian confirm that the current form is being used. An outdated form may not be accepted for USDA endorsement or entry.
Free with sign-up
Turn this into a personalized plan
A free account builds a country-specific checklist, timeline, and budget — and lets you ask follow-up questions to the AI relocation assistant.
Related countries
Full country profiles for places featured in this guide.
Related guides
Related articles
NextLatitude is for organization and guidance only. Always consult a licensed professional for legal, tax, or immigration decisions.