EU Invites Pet Owners to Get Passport for Their Furry Friends

Photo source: European Commission

On occasion of International Cat Day earlier this month, the European Union is inviting pet owners to get a European pet passport for their furry friends so that they can travel together.

According to guidelines, you can travel easily with your cat, dog or ferret in the EU with the use of the European pet passport which you can get at your local vet.

Earlier this month, animal protection group the Humane Society International (HSI) teamed up with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and called on governments and airlines to facilitate the safe passage of pet cats and dogs in times of crisis.

Traveling with pets which have a passport is allowed in all 27 EU countries as well as in Norway and Northern Ireland.

These rules also apply to EU inbound travel from a non-EU country.

EU pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel with pets to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

On #InternationalCatDay, treat your cat to a special gift.

You can travel easily with your cat, dog or ferret in the EU thanks to our 🇪🇺 passports for pets.

You can get a European pet passport at your local vet and take them with you on your next trip.

— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) August 8, 2022

In order to be able to travel to an EU state or from a non-EU territory to an EU country, pets must:

• be microchipped or have a clearly readable tattoo if applied before July 3, 2011
• be vaccinated against rabies
• have treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis for destinations free of this tapeworm (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland)
• have a valid European pet passport.

Photo source: European Commission

It should be noted that the rules apply only to private trips with animals in the EU which do not involve a change of ownership or sale.

The European pet passport includes a description and details of your pet, microchip or tattoo code, rabies vaccination record and contact details of owner and of vet who issued the passport.

A pet passport is valid for life as long as your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.

Additionally, the EU also issues animal health certificates which contain identity, health record, rabies vaccinations for pets and is required for those travellng from a non-EU country.

You can travel with up to five pets.