Navigating the Pet Travel Scheme: Your Ultimate Guide to Bringing Furry Friends to Europe!

The most sought-after travel spot on the planet, and the one that generates the most inquiries, is certainly Europe. Europe is brimming with charm, heritage, exquisite cuisine, adventures, and has been accommodating to pets for many years. It has also become less complicated for pet guardians to bring their pets to Europe and explore the Member States without undergoing quarantine. This change began with the launch of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) on October 1, 2001.

Pet Travel Scheme (“PETS“) is an EU regulation that permits pets accompanying their owners to traverse leisurely through all EU Member States using either an EU Pet Passport or an EU Health Certificate (Annex IV). The latter remains valid for 4 months of travel or until your pet’s rabies vaccination lapses, whichever occurs first.

The Evolution of the Pet Travel Scheme

For over a century, the United Kingdom (which was then part of the European Union) enforced a stringent quarantine program. If you brought a dog, cat, or ferret, they were required to stay six months in one of 80 quarantine establishments in Great Britain, receiving nearly no exercise and only being examined by the kennels’ appointed veterinarians. There were no standard regulations overseeing these facilities; kennel owners voluntarily committed to offering reasonable care, which often fell short of expectations.

The tipping point came in 1987 when Lady Mary and Sir John Fretwell returned to England after their final assignment in Paris. “We came back with our basset hound,” Lady Fretwell recounts, “and it was a dreadful quarantine ordeal. Our beloved Bertie, who was our favorite among all the bassets we’ve owned over the years, was changed forever after that terrible experience, passing away shortly after. This compelled us to take action regarding the quarantine conditions in the UK.”

This led to the formation of an organization named “Passports for Pets,” thanks to the relentless work of the Fretwells alongside 10,000 members and numerous volunteers advocating for reforms in the pet entry regulations. Now, a clear process exists for bringing cats and dogs into the UK and EU without undergoing quarantine.

On February 28, 2000, the initial phase of the Pet Travel Scheme was rolled out, and the first pets made their way to Folkestone via the Eurotunnel Shuttle Service and Ferries. Since then, thousands of pets from designated non-EU nations have entered the United Kingdom without needing to quarantine, encountering remarkably few issues.

The Current State of the Pet Travel Scheme

Over time, the Pet Travel Scheme has evolved. A significant change occurred in December 2014, where the distinction between commercial and non-commercial transport was defined in legislation. (More details on this below.)

The most recent development in the news involves Great Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit). As of now, Northern Ireland, despite being part of the United Kingdom, still abides by PETS regulations regarding the import and export of animals. Great Britain has embraced several PETS policies; however, it has developed distinct health certificates.

Importing a pet into the European Union

To bring your dog, cat or ferret into any EU country, it must first be microchipped. Any vaccinations administered prior to the microchip are not recognized. Even if your pet’s current rabies vaccination remains valid, it must still be re-vaccinated for rabies at the same time or subsequent to the microchip being implanted.

Entering the European Union from an unlisted nation

The subsequent steps hinge on the country from which you are entering the EU. If arriving from an unlisted nation, your pet must wait a minimum of 30 days post-rabies vaccination (excluding the day of the veterinary visit) before undergoing a rabies titer test. The sample must be dispatched overnight in a chilled blood pack to an approved laboratory for analysis. Provided your pet’s antibody levels are at least 0.5 IU/ml, they may enter the EU without quarantine three calendar months after the blood sample was taken for the test.

The good news is that the EU will recognize your pet’s titer test as valid throughout their life, as long as the rabies vaccination does not lapse before boosters are given.

Entering the European Union from other nations

If your pet is arriving in the EU from any country other than an unlisted one, they will not require a titer test. They can enter the EU after a minimum wait of 21 days post-rabies vaccination. Essentially, the only required documentation consists of proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, and an endorsed health certificate. No import permits or additional tests or treatments (aside from the tapeworm treatment mentioned below) are mandated by PETS legislation.

One final note: if your dog is traveling to the UK, Ireland, Norway, Finland, or Malta, a tapeworm treatment must be administered by a licensed veterinarian between one and five days prior to entering those countries. This is contingent upon not entering any of these countries directly from another listed nation (for instance, coming into the UK from Ireland, or entering Finland from Norway). In these circumstances, the tapeworm treatment is not obligatory.

Commercial Versus Non-Commercial Transport

Regulations pertaining to the Pet Travel Scheme distinctly categorize transport as commercial or non-commercial. These rules apply solely to non-commercial transport. The EU defines non-commercial transport as involving pets that are either accompanying their owners or traveling within 5 days of them. The objective of the transport must not be for resale, adoption, or transfer of ownership.

If you or an appointed representative cannot travel with or within 5 days of your pet, they will fall under the Balai Directive regulations (commercial regulations).

Related: Additional insights into pet import regulations of your destination country.

Arriving in the EU

When flying to the EU, whether your pet travels in the cabin or the cargo hold is determined by the airline’s pet policy and varies between airlines. No EU Member State mandates that your pet arrive as air cargo. Pets can enter the EU by land, in the cabin, or as checked baggage in the aircraft’s cargo hold.

Consider bringing your pet to explore the European Union. Thanks to the Pet Travel Scheme, it is much easier for both of you to enjoy the experience.

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