Woman sitting next to her dog going through papers.

What Is a Pet Passport?

ByKimberly Graner Updated on

A pet passport isn’t the same as a human passport. Unlike the official government-issued travel documents people use to cross borders, there’s no single universal “pet passport.” 

Instead, the term generally refers to the records and paperwork your pet needs to travel. That typically includes rabies certificates, microchip information, and relevant tests and health checks. 

The exception is within the European Union, where pets can travel on an EU pet passport within the EU and a few additional countries, as long as they meet certain conditions. 

Outside those countries, your pet doesn’t need a pet passport but a set of travel documents necessary to meet their destination’s entry requirements. That’s essentially your pet’s ticket to cross borders legally.

Documents Typically Required

Different countries and airlines have different travel requirements for pets and live animals arriving at their borders. The following documents are commonly required to meet those regulations and help your pet’s journey go smoothly:

  • Microchip Information: Most countries require pets to be microchipped before travel. Microchip numbers must match across your pet’s documents. We always recommend an ISO-compatible microchip, which can be read universally at border checkpoints.
  • Vaccination Records: A valid rabies vaccination is almost always required for international travel. Vaccines should be given far enough in advance to be considered valid with no gaps in between doses. Some destinations require proof of additional vaccinations.
  • Health Certificates: These certify that your pet is healthy and fit to travel. In many cases, it may need to be filled out by a vet accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and then endorsed by the USDA. 
  • Import Permits: A foreign country may require an official import permit before your pet is allowed to enter, which can involve applications and extra fees. These permits may need to be submitted to customs officials alongside your pet’s health records.
  • Airline Requirements: Airlines have their own rules on top of regulations set by destination countries. That includes pet document checks and ensuring your pet’s travel crates meet size standards. Some require breed verification forms or additional vet assurances for snub-nosed pets; others ban certain breeds altogether.

A pet transport service like Tailwind can make sure that your pet meets a destination country’s requirements, especially if you’re traveling somewhere with complex rules for pet travel.

EU Pet Passports

An EU pet passport is a standardized identification document issued within the EU by an authorized vet for traveling cats, dogs, and ferrets. It includes your pet’s microchip details, rabies vaccination history, and the contact information for the owner and issuing vet. 

The most important thing to note here is that you can only get an EU pet passport issued within an EU country for travel within those member states, plus a few additional countries. 

Those traveling from the U.S. to European countries like France and Spain need to secure the usual animal health certificates from their U.S. vet before travel. A USDA-accredited vet typically issues certificates within 10 days before your pet’s trip, but specifics vary by destination country. 

Once in the EU, you can have an authorized vet issue your pet an EU pet passport to make any future travel within those member countries much easier. That includes non-member states like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Greenland, and the United Kingdom. Countries within the UK have some additional nuances for pet owners to navigate. 

Since Brexit, pet passports remain a valid form of pet travel to Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) from EU countries, as long as traveling dogs have documented tapeworm treatments. Travel within the EU on a pet passport doesn’t require that evidence.

Northern Ireland is unique. They continue to follow EU pet travel rules, so you don’t need to get your pet treated for tapeworms to bring them from within the EU to Northern Ireland. Rabies titers and blood tests are not required for a pet with an EU pet passport.EU pet passports don’t have expiration dates like the kind you’d travel with abroad. Any dates inside are linked to your pet’s rabies vaccination history. As long as your pet stays current on their rabies shots, their pet passport remains valid.

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Plan Ahead for Travel With Your Pet

Traveling with a pet requires careful planning beyond your pet’s packing list to ensure their documents and all other requirements are in order. Start by checking the entry requirements for your destination country well in advance so that you time every piece correctly. 

Rules for microchips, vaccinations, health certificates, and import permits can vary widely. Many documents have strict validity periods. A health certificate may need to be issued within 10 days of travel, and some vaccines may need to be administered within a certain timeframe.

Your usual vet may not be enough as you plan your trip or relocation. Working with a USDA-accredited vet is often required for international travel from the U.S., as they’re the only ones who can issue official certificates recognized abroad. Some documents may also require additional endorsements that add to your travel timeline.

Airlines often have their own requirements, including approved crates for travel in-cargo and breed or size restrictions. Confirm these early to avoid last-minute complications. Planning ahead helps prevent delays at the check-in counter and at the border upon arrival.

FAQs

To get an EU pet passport, visit an authorized veterinarian in the EU who can issue it the same day as your visit. For non-EU residents, your pet will need to travel with the relevant health documents, typically issued by a USDA-accredited vet, not a pet passport.

If you’re traveling from within the EU to an EU country like Finland or Malta, you can arrange for an EU vet to issue a pet passport, but that would only cover travel to countries that accept it. For travel back to the U.S., you’ll still need to meet the import rules set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the USDA.

The cost of pet travel documents varies by destination. A true EU pet passport may include additional expenses like vaccinations, but the cost of the document itself isn’t much. 

For travel abroad from non-EU countries, the cost of acquiring the relevant health documents varies. Certificates issued by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by the USDA can cost anywhere from $100 to several hundred dollars, depending on vet fees. 

Add lab tests, additional treatments, and potential quarantine stays to more complex destinations, and the cost of traveling with your pet abroad rises from there. 

Pet passports, when they refer to EU pet passports, are intended specifically for travel within the EU and other countries in Europe that accept them. If you already have an EU pet passport and are traveling with your pet within the EU, then you don’t need additional pet health documents.For travel from the U.S., pet owners must meet specific requirements regarding pet health documents abroad. Airlines may have additional requirements on top of the rules stated country-by-country.

Make Pet Travel Stress-Free With Expert Help

The paperwork requirements for traveling abroad with your pet can feel overwhelming, especially if you and your pet are going somewhere with complex rules to follow. 

At Tailwind, our experts help pet owners navigate every step to make sure your pet’s documents are set, vaccinations are up to date, and travel rules are met. Save time, avoid delays at the border, and enjoy a stress-free journey with your pet. 

Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request. 

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