INTERNATIONAL PET SHIPPING
Pet Transport to European Union (EU) from the United States
What you need to know about shipping pets to European Union
All European Union (EU) Countries to follow have the same requirements for pet entry into the EU, as listed on this page: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden
In addition to all the general requirements, the following EU countries ALSO require tapeworm treatment for dogs as detailed at the bottom of this page: Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway
What’s the process?
The steps below must be followed in detail in order for your pet to enter the European Union. We recommend discussing the requirements and options in detail with a pet relocation company.
Health Requirements
Must be completed at least 21 days before departure
1
Microchip
Must be completed 21 days before departure, and must be completed before Rabies Vaccination.
- Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified by microchip. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- The microchip should be ISO compliant and 15 digits long.
- If your pet does not have an ISO complaint chip, your pet will have to travel with a microchip reader attached to the crate. Alternatively, your vet can implant a new ISO complaint chip in addition to the existing non-ISO compatible chip.
- After implanting the chip, your pet will have to be revaccinated in order for the vaccine to be valid.
2
Vaccinations
Must be completed at least 21 days prior to departure
- Rabies vaccination must occur on the same day or after microchip implantation. Any rabies vaccine given prior to the microchip implantation is considered invalid and will not be accepted.
- Rabies vaccinations valid for 1, 2 or 3 years are permissible for entry to the EU.
- There is a mandatory 21 day wait period after the primary (or first) vaccination before your pet can enter the EU. If your pet’s most recent vaccination is a booster shot without a lapse in coverage, a 21-day wait will not be needed.
- Other vaccines are not required, but the vaccines below are recommended, particularly if your pet may need to be boarded before or after travel.
- Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
- Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP).
Import Health Certificate
Must be completed 2-28 days before departure
3
Health Certificate
Must be completed 2 – 28 days prior to departure
- At this point in your move, one of our pet shipping specialists will pre-complete the correct health certificate and email it to you veterinarian for signature at the physical appointment. We provide all documents and are available to answer any questions and trouble shoot issues that may rise.
- The EU has two different health certificate options. The health certificate used will depend on whether the pet is traveling within 5 days before or after the owner or designated person, and whether the pet is changing ownership or intended for sale in the EU.
- Noncommercial health certificate: For pets traveling within 5 days of owner or designated person. Valid for 30 days after USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues it.
- Commercial health certificate: For pets traveling more than 5 days before or after owner or designated person. For pets changing ownership or intended for resale in the EU. Valid for 48 hours after USDA Accredited Veterinarian issues it.
4
USDA Endorsement
Must be completed before departure and within 10 days of destination arrival for non-commercial health certificates.
- After your pet has been examined by your veterinarian and the correct health certificate has been completed and signed, the health certificate must be submitted to the USDA office to be endorsed. FFexpress coordinates this process on your behalf.
- If a military veterinarian completes your pet’s health certificate, the USDA endorsement is not needed. A military veterinarian is a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S Army Veterinary Service.
In addition to all the requirements above, the following EU countries ALSO require tapeworm treatment: Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway
TAPEWORM TREATMENT – Must be completed within 24-120 hours of arrival into Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Norway. ONLY these EU countries require tapeworm treatment.
5
DOGS ONLY
- Dogs must be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) within 24-120 hours of arrival into arrival into Finland, Ireland, Malta, and Norway. This treatment can be administered before or after the USDA endorsement of the health certificate depending on your pet’s unique timeline for travel. This USDA will endorse the health certificate without without this treatment.
Banned Breeds
Vary by EU country.
Pet Travel Success Stories
“If you are looking to relocate your pet bird outside the USA, then this is the company for you. Feathers and Fur Express had the knowledge and experience, to walk me through all the documents that was required to do this. They were with me right up to handing (Studley my parrot) over for departure and his flight from Atlanta, and at the other end of his journey in the UK. Marck and Lindsey and their team are just amazing. Thank You”
“Excellent service for my baby. We were not the easiest clients and Feathers and Fur Express did an excellent job. Very experienced and reliable company. I would highly recommend them to anyone. During the move they were very responsive and sending updates of our baby. I worked with Rebecca and Lindsey, they are excellent at their job. My vet technician who worked on our health certificate told me that this was your favorite company they have ever worked with!”
“With only 10 days notice Feathers & Fur made it all happen, they were so kind, professional & made the process stress free. They delivered my dog happy in perfect condition into my mother’s arms on schedule, updating me on their great app with photos & messages all the way and reassuring me as my dog made the journey. I could not recommend them highly enough.”
“We recently used FFExpress to ship our two pups to Europe. I couldn’t express my gratitude for them helping us!! We had a few hiccups but they did everything they could to help fix them. They took care of our two babies and made sure we knew they were safe the entire time. Would definitely recommend Feathers and Fur express to anyone!”
“We were at a loss for how to get our beloved pittbull/boxer mix from Atlanta to Girona, Spain. We’d almost lost hope when FFE gave us great recommendations on how we could be the process as smooth as possible with very clear instructions. We had no trouble, and our precious pup arrived with a wagging tail! Definitely a wonderful service!”
“Despite trying to move our Labrador from Houston during a pandemic and then a historic power failure on Houston, FFE came through for us. The team kept us in constant contact and went out of their way to help our veterinarian get set up with the USDA portal. Would highly recommend them for anyone moving pets internationally”
“Marck was really awesome. He took care care of all the paperwork and kept us updated. Great communication, great service! Our rabbit made it back home safely. Thank you!”
We’ll treat your pets as our own
Every team member at FFexpress is also a pet parent, so we know just how important your fur baby is to you. We only use the best airlines and facilities to ensure your pet is receiving the best care possible.
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