I hope you feel inspired by reading about Louie’s adventures on DogFriendlyTravel.com. Traveling to the EU with a dog is not difficult, but special paperwork is required. In this post, I will introduce you to the USDA international health certificate and explain how to get one for your dog.
The great news is most countries in the European Union (see exceptions below*) require only a microchip and USDA endorsed international health certificate. Though pet travel requirements can change without warning, here are the steps I follow when taking a dog to Europe. For up-to-the-minute information, please visit the USDA APHIS website.
USDA International Helth Certificate Requirements
- MICROCHIP – Your dog must be implanted with an ISO compliant (15 digit) microchip to enter the European Union. If your dog has an older non-compliant chip, you will need to travel with the appropriate electronic microchip reader. Customs agents may want to scan your dog’s microchip but won’t necessarily have a machine that can read older ones. You can buy or rent microchip readers for non ISO compliant chips at PetTravelStore.com.
- RABIES VACCINATION – This must be given after microchipping (but can be done the same day). Rabies vaccinations may be valid for 1, 2, or 3 years. If this is your dog’s first rabies vaccination or their previous vaccination has expired, you have to wait 21 days to enter the EU.
- INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE – Next, download the health certificate for the country where you plan to enter the European Union. A USDA Accredited Veterinarian must complete the form within ten days of your arrival in the EU. If your dog’s regular vet doesn’t have this specialized accreditation, contact your USDA regional coordinator. The USDA will help you find a local vet that has the correct accreditation. Click here to see an example of an endorsed international health certificate.
- ENDORSEMENT – Finally, send the completed international health certificate and required fee to your regional USDA APHIS Service Office for endorsement. I recommend shipping by a tracked overnight service. Including a prepaid overnight return envelope will also speed up the process. Click here for the current APHIS Service Office address and fee info.
Arriving in Europe
Have your international health certificate available when exiting the customs area of your first EU airport. Customs agents may ask to see the paperwork and scan your dog’s microchip. Don’t be concerned if there are no agents at the exit. I usually end up walking right through, but it’s best to have everything ready.
You must have your dog’s USDA International Health Certificate when you return to the USA. The endorsed paperwork is valid for four months as long as your dog’s vaccines remain up to date.
*Dogs traveling to Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway also need a tapeworm treatment before arrival.
What do you know about EU passport for dogs and cats?
Can we enter EU and enter USA with those?
Would love to now, there is a lot of info out there but is overwhelming to figure out what is correct?
Thanks and happy travels!
If you are flying from the US to the EU with the USDA certificate I describe, it should be valid to return to the US within four months. You can’t obtain an EU pet passport in the USA, but some European vets are willing to transfer the information from your USDA certificate into a passport once you get there. We did this in the Netherlands a few years ago. Unfortunately, only European vets can enter information on vaccination boosters. Hope that helps!