Three things you need before buying a ticket: which airlines can actually carry your pet on that route, what it costs, and by when you have to do what. The last one is what wrecks trips, because the rabies vaccination carries a mandatory 21-day wait that cannot be made up.
Every requirement, in order
This is the full list for the European area, regardless of route. The form above turns it into real dates, counting back from your flight.
At least 28 days before the flight
Microchip
The animal must be identified with a microchip compliant with ISO 11784 and readable by an ISO 11785 reader. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination: if the order is reversed the vaccination is not valid for travel and must be repeated, with its 21-day wait.
Regulation (EU) 576/2013 — non-commercial movement of pet animals
At least 21 days before the flight
Rabies vaccination
Mandatory for dogs, cats and ferrets. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old on the day of vaccination, and 21 full days must pass after the primary course is completed before travelling. The 21 days do not apply to a booster given while the previous vaccination was still valid.
Regulation (EU) 576/2013 — non-commercial movement of pet animals
At least 14 days before the flight
EU pet passport
Issued by a vet authorised by the local health authority. It records identification, microchip, rabies vaccination and owner details. Request it a few days ahead: it is not a same-day document everywhere.
At least 3 days before the flight
Confirm the pet spot with the airline
Cabin pet slots are capped per flight, often between two and six. No document replaces this confirmation: without an assigned slot the animal does not board, even with everything else in order. Some airlines require 48 or 72 hours' notice, others only take the request by phone.
Between 24 and 120 hours before entering the country
Tapeworm treatment
For dogs only, when entering Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway. A vet must administer a praziquantel-based treatment and record it in the passport between 24 and 120 hours before entering the country. It is a narrow window with two edges: too early does not count, and neither does too late.
Delegated Regulation (EU) 1152/2011 — preventive measures against Echinococcus multilocularis
On the day of the flight
On the day
Arrive with more margin than usual: checking in an animal is almost always done at the desk, not online, and involves a document check. Carry the passport, health record, water, a spare absorbent pad and the airline's written confirmation.
Outside the European Union
The EU regulation covers the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City and Switzerland. For every other country the rules change by destination and may include serological tests with months of waiting, import permits and translated certificates. This tool does not calculate those, and says so rather than guessing: the source is the embassy or veterinary authority of the destination country.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 576/2013 — non-commercial movement of pet animals
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 1152/2011 — preventive measures against Echinococcus multilocularis
- Italian Ministry of Health — Travelling with pets
- European Commission — Travelling with pets
Legal texts verified on 29 July 2026.