Part of the US to Europe guide
This page adds the Italy extras. Read the US to Europe guide for the shared EU rules.
Quick checklist
- Follow all hub rules (microchip, rabies, new EU certificate, USDA endorsement).
- Use a certificate in Italian and English if your pet enters the EU in Italy (Reg. 2026/705).
- Register your dog on the regional dog register (anagrafe canina) soon after moving.
- In towns, keep your dog on a lead of 1.5 m or less and carry a muzzle.
Country extras
- Italy has no national list of banned dog breeds.
- A national ordinance (6 Aug 2013) protects public safety from dog aggression. It applies to all dogs. It is extended to 5 Sep 2027 (Ordinance of 16 Jul 2026, Official Gazette 5 Sep 2026).
- Dogs that stay in Italy must be registered on the national pet register (SINAC) through the regional dog register.
Owner duties (2013 ordinance)
- In towns and public places, use a lead no longer than 1.5 m. Exception: dog areas set up by the town.
- Always carry a muzzle (rigid or soft). Put it on if there is a risk to people or animals, or if the authorities ask.
- Only leave your dog with people who can handle it.
- Pick up your dog's waste and carry bags or tools for it.
Registration after arrival
- The deadline is set by each region. There is no single deadline on a national page we could read. Unverified: no national deadline (regional examples only)
- Dogs from abroad staying more than 30 days must be registered (ASL1 Liguria, local health authority).
- Examples:
- Lombardy (ATS Pavia): within 7 days of arrival.
- Friuli Venezia Giulia: within 10 days of starting to keep the dog. Fines: €150 to €900.
- To be safe, register within 7 days of arrival. Ask the local health authority vet service (ASL) or a vet authorised to access the register. Unverified: no national deadline (regional examples only)
Timeline additions
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 10 days or less before arrival | USDA endorses the certificate (Italian and English version). |
| Within 7 days after arrival (to be safe) | Register your dog with the local ASL or an authorised vet. Check your region's deadline. Unverified: no national deadline (regional examples only) |
Common mistakes
Assuming no breed list means no rules. The national ordinance applies to all dogs.
Walking a dog in town without carrying a muzzle.
Waiting more than a week to register. Unverified: no national deadline (regional examples only)
Airlines
Checked 29 Oct 2026. See the hub table for all carriers.
- ITA Airways: cats and dogs only, at least 3 months old. In the cabin: up to 8 kg on international flights (12 kg on domestic Italian flights), carrier and food included. Soft carrier, max 55 x 40 x 23 cm. Book at least 48 hours before through ITA customer service. Hold rules for US flights: not confirmed for this page. Unverified / not covered
- Delta: pets allowed in the cabin to Italy. International fee USD 200 each way.
- United: cabin pets USD 150 each way. No checked pets.
- American: no carry-on pets on transatlantic trips.
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.
Questions people ask
Does Italy ban any dog breeds?
There is no national banned-breed list. A national ordinance on dog safety applies to all dogs.
Does my dog need a muzzle in Italy?
You must always carry one. Put it on if there is a risk or if the authorities ask.
How long can the lead be?
No longer than 1.5 m in towns and public places.
Do I need to register my dog in Italy? Unverified: no national deadline (regional examples only)
Yes, if your dog stays more than 30 days. Deadlines are regional, for example 7 days in Lombardy and 10 days in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Unverified: no national deadline (regional examples only)
Guide checked: 29 October 2026
Official sources (checked 29 Oct 2026)
- https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caniGatti/dettaglioContenutiCaniGatti.jsp?area=cani&id=1533&lingua=italiano&menu=tutela (Ministry of Health, ordinance on dog safety)
- https://www.aslal.it/allegati/om_ORDINANZA_6_AGOSTO_2013_TUTELA_INCOLUMITA_PUBBLICA.pdf (ordinance text, Art. 1)
- https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2026/09/05/26A04624/SG (Ordinance 16 Jul 2026, GU 5 Sep 2026)
- https://www.asl1.liguria.it/prevenzione-e-screening/iniziative-e-progetti-per-la-tua-salute/zoom-salute-prevenzione/argomenti/2325-anagrafe-microchip-animali-domestici.html (dogs from abroad, more than 30 days)
- https://www.ats-pavia.it/anagrafe-animali-affezione-anagrafe-canina (Lombardy, 7 days)
- https://www.regione.fvg.it/rafvg/cms/RAFVG/salute-sociale/igiene-urbana-veterinaria/FOGLIA1/ (Friuli Venezia Giulia, 10 days, fines)
- https://www.ita-airways.com/it/it/book-and-prepare/other-requests/travelling-with-pets/pets-in-cabin
- https://direct.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-italy (last modified 2 Sep 2026)
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/705/oj (Implementing Reg. 2026/705, Annex III, Part 2, note 3)
- 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
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.