Who this guide is for
Pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from the USA to an EU country, non-commercial (5 pets or fewer, with the owner or an authorised person within 5 days).
What changed in October 2026
- New EU non-commercial health certificates are required from 1 Oct 2026.
- Old non-commercial certificates could be endorsed until 30 Sep 2026.
- The new commercial certificate is required from 17 Oct 2026. Old ones could be endorsed until 16 Oct 2026.
- The change follows EU Regulations 2026/131 and 2026/848.
Key rules
- The microchip must be in place before the rabies vaccine. The vet must scan it first.
- ISO 11784/11785 microchip (usually 15 digits). Otherwise bring a reader or add a second chip.
- Wait at least 21 days after the primary rabies vaccine (30 days for some vaccines).
- A US primary rabies vaccine counts for 1 year only, even a "3-year" vaccine.
- A booster must be given within 12 months. Any gap, even 1 day, resets it to primary.
- No wait after a valid booster. Bring all rabies certificates since the primary.
- No rabies blood test for pets from the US. The USA (including Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands) is listed in Annex II of EU Regulation 2026/636, so the test is not needed under Art. 17(1)(b) of Regulation 2026/131. Transiting a non-listed country can change this.
- The EU certificate must be in English and in at least one official language of the EU country of entry (Reg. 2026/705, Annex III, Part 2, note 3). That is the EU country where your pet goes through entry checks; confirm with your airline if connecting. Example: enter the EU in Paris, use French and English.
- Your vet's signature: 30 days (USDA APHIS). USDA endorsement: within 10 days before arrival. Under EU rules the 10 days run from the USDA endorsement date to your pet's entry checks in the EU (Reg. 2026/705, Annex III, note (b)). After entry, the certificate is valid for onward EU travel for 6 months or until the rabies vaccine expires, whichever is earlier (Reg. 2026/131, Art. 18(1)).
- The owner (or authorised person) signs the declaration. It travels with the pet.
- Commercial certificate: pet travels without owner, 6 or more pets, or change of owner. Vet inspection within 48 hours before leaving the US.
- After entry, the certificate covers travel within the EU for up to 6 months, while the rabies vaccine is valid.
- Dogs going on to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway need tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before entry.
- Arrive through a travellers' point of entry. Authorities check documents and the microchip.
EU pet passport for Americans
- US residents cannot get an EU pet passport as visitors or second-home owners.
- Since 22 April 2026, passports are only issued where the owner has their main residence.
- "Residence is what matters, not nationality or property ownership." (European Commission)
- If you move and set your main residence in the EU (for example a residence permit), you can get a passport after the certificate expires.
- This is EU-wide law. It applies in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Transit exemption
- Pets only changing planes in the EU may not need an EU certificate.
- If the pet stays in the international transit area, no EU entry rules apply (European Commission).
- If the pet leaves the transit area, even by accident, full rules apply.
- Only non-commercial pets qualify. Unaccompanied pets do not.
- Airport pet hotels may be outside the transit area. Confirm with the airport.
Timeline (work back from your EU arrival date)
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 months or more before arrival | Check breed rules for your destination. Find a USDA-accredited vet. |
| 3 to 6 months before arrival (USDA tip) | Optional fresh 1-year rabies vaccine after a microchip scan. Simplifies paperwork. |
| At least 21 days before arrival (30 if your vaccine requires it) | Microchip, then rabies vaccine, if not already valid. |
| 30 days to 10 days before arrival | Vet issues the new EU non-commercial certificate. |
| 10 days or less before arrival | Vet submits through VEHCS. USDA endorses. |
| Before departure | Sign the owner declaration. Print the endorsed certificate. |
| Arrival day | Go through a travellers' point of entry for checks. |
| Up to 6 months after entry | Onward EU travel on the same certificate. |
Get these dates for your trip
Dated timeline, transit check and readiness check in the free plan.
Common mistakes
Using an old certificate form after 1 Oct 2026.
USDA endorsement more than 10 days before arrival.
Rabies vaccine before the microchip, or without a scan.
Treating a first "3-year" vaccine as valid for 3 years.
Not bringing all rabies certificates when the latest is a booster.
Assuming an airport pet hotel is inside the transit area.
Airlines
Checked 29 Oct 2026 on each airline's own page. Fees and rules change; confirm when booking.
| Airline | Cabin (US–Europe) | Hold / cargo | Short-nosed breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air France | Pet and carrier up to 8 kg | Pet and carrier 8–75 kg in the hold. Add pet at least 24 h before departure | Not accepted in the hold. French Category 1 and 2 dogs not accepted |
| KLM | 1 cat or dog, bag up to 46 x 28 x 24 cm, up to 8 kg. Not in Premium Comfort or Business on intercontinental flights | Up to 75 kg with kennel. Not on Boeing 787-9/787-10 or A321neo. Fee EUR 70–500 one way | Many breeds not accepted in the hold (for example Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldogs, Pugs, Persian cats) |
| Lufthansa | Pet and soft carrier up to 8 kg, max 55 x 40 x 23 cm. Book at least 72 h before. Long-haul fee about USD 145–165 one way | Possible in the hold. Intercontinental long haul EUR 190 / USD 225 (kennel up to 60 x 45 x 40 cm) or EUR 380 / USD 445 (larger) per direction; short and medium haul bands are lower, see Lufthansa's page. Lufthansa's page does not say which intercontinental band each US route falls in. No hold pets on connections via Munich | Not accepted in the hold since 2020. Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully and Bull Terrier count as snub-nosed and cannot go in the hold. Other fighting breeds (American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Kangal, Caucasian Ovcharka (Caucasian Shepherd), Rottweiler) may fly only in the hold in a special crate (puppies aged 3 to 6 months excepted). Snub-nosed cats (British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold) cannot go in the hold. |
| Iberia | Pet and carrier up to 8 kg, max 45 x 35 x 25 cm. America zone fee USD 215 online per segment | Up to 45 kg. Not on Madrid–Boston or Madrid–Washington (IAD) | Not accepted in the hold. Some dangerous breeds not accepted at all |
| ITA Airways | Cats and dogs only, at least 3 months old. Up to 8 kg on international flights, carrier max 55 x 40 x 23 cm | Not confirmed for this page Unverified / not covered | Not confirmed for this page Unverified / not covered |
| Delta | Small pets in the cabin. International fee USD/EUR 200 each way. No pets in Delta One or Delta Premium | Not available now: Delta Cargo has a temporary embargo on household pets. Exception: US military and Foreign Service on PCS orders, but not to or from AMS, CDG, FRA, LHR, ICN or HND. Bookings must go through an IPATA pet shipper. Delta appearing on GOV.UK's approved UK routes doesn't mean it takes pets now. | Delta Cargo: snub-nosed dogs and cats and their mixes not accepted |
| United | Cats and dogs in the cabin only, USD 150 each way. No pets to or from Bilbao | No checked pets or cargo (PetSafe ended) | No breed limits for cabin pets |
| American | No carry-on pets on transatlantic trips | Checked pets only for military and State Department staff on orders | No snub-nosed breeds as checked pets |
- Pet age: Delta requires at least 15 weeks for travel to the EU. KLM requires at least 15 weeks on its flights. Lufthansa requires 15 weeks to, from or via Germany.
- Connections: Air France and KLM say pets in the hold must be collected and checked in again at Paris CDG or Orly.
- Lufthansa hold: Hold fees per direction, small kennel (up to 60 x 45 x 40 cm) / larger kennel: domestic EUR 80 (USD 95) / EUR 160 (USD 190); Europe EUR 100 (USD 120) / EUR 200 (USD 235); Levant and Egypt EUR 130 (USD 155) / EUR 260 (USD 305); intercontinental short haul EUR 150 (USD 175) / EUR 300 (USD 350); medium haul EUR 170 (USD 200) / EUR 340 (USD 395); long haul EUR 190 (USD 225) / EUR 380 (USD 445). Lufthansa's page does not say which intercontinental band each US route falls in; confirm when booking. Hold transfers via BRU, GVA, FRA, VIE or ZRH cost an extra EUR 150 / USD 170. No hold pets on connections via Munich. Book the hold at least 72 hours ahead. IATA kennel rules apply since 4 May 2026.
Unverified / not covered Not covered on this page yet: Air France fees and snub-nosed list, ITA hold rules, Virgin Atlantic cargo, ferries. Ask the carrier directly before you book.
Breeds
Breed rules are national. See each country page:
- France: some dog types banned, even in transit.
- Germany: four breeds banned federally, more in some states.
- Italy: no national banned-breed list.
- Spain: eight breeds need a municipal licence.
Country guides
Questions people ask
Do I need the new EU health certificate?
Yes, for non-commercial travel from 1 Oct 2026. Old forms could only be endorsed until 30 Sep 2026.
How long is the EU health certificate valid?
Your vet's signature: 30 days. USDA endorsement: within 10 days before arrival; the EU's 10-day validity runs from the endorsement date to the entry checks. After entry it covers onward EU travel for up to 6 months.
Can I travel to other EU countries on the same certificate?
Yes, for up to 6 months after entry, while the rabies vaccine is valid.
Can I get an EU pet passport as an American?
Not as a visitor or second-home owner. Passports are only for owners whose main residence is in the EU.
My pet is only changing planes in Europe. Does it need a certificate?
Not if it stays in the international transit area. If it leaves that area, it needs the full certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies blood test?
No. The US is listed in Annex II of Regulation 2026/636, so no blood test is needed. Transiting a non-listed country can change this.
Which language must the EU certificate be in?
English and at least one official language of the EU country where your pet goes through entry checks. Confirm with your airline if connecting.
Can my pet fly separately from me?
Yes, as non-commercial, if an authorised person travels with it within 5 days of you. Otherwise use the commercial certificate.
Guide checked: 29 October 2026
Related guides
Official sources (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/636/oj (Implementing Reg. 2026/636, Annex II: listed countries, including the US)
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/705/oj (Implementing Reg. 2026/705, Annex III, Part 2, note 3: certificate language)
- https://wwws.airfrance.us/en/information/passagers/voyager-avec-son-animal-chien-chat
- https://img.static-af.com/m/28d3345af68762f/original/EN-Discharge-responsibility.pdf (Air France hold conditions)
- https://www.klm.at/en/information/pets/reservation
- https://www.lufthansa.com/xx/en/tiere-als-handgepaeck
- https://www.lufthansa.com/ge/en/dangerous-dogs
- https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/tiere-als-uebergepaeck (Lufthansa, animals in the hold: fees, Munich, kennel rules)
- https://www.deltacargo.com/Cargo/catalog/products/pets (Delta Cargo household pets: embargo notice)
- https://www.iberia.com/us/fly-with-iberia/pets/
- https://www.ita-airways.com/it/it/book-and-prepare/other-requests/travelling-with-pets/pets-in-cabin
- https://www.delta.com/us/en/pet-travel/overview
- https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/traveling-with-pets.html
- https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp
- https://direct.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-france (last modified 1 Sep 2026)
- https://direct.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-germany (last modified 2 Sep 2026)
- https://direct.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-italy (last modified 2 Sep 2026)
- https://direct.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-spain (last modified 2 Sep 2026)
- https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/faqs_en
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj (Delegated Reg. 2026/131, Art. 17(1)(b) and Art. 18(1))
Last checked 29 Oct 2026 against USDA APHIS country pages and the European Commission. New EU certificates in force since 1 Oct 2026 (commercial: 17 Oct 2026).
Guide checked: 29 October 2026
Pawperwork gives general information, not veterinary or legal advice. Official vets, the authorities and your airline have the final say.