Crossing the border with a cat, dog and other pets in 2026: rules for importing animals to Europe

Traveling with pets abroad requires advance preparation, as vaccinations and paperwork require consistency and time. Find out how to travel with pets, what you need to do, and what are the requirements for importing pets to the EU

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Traveling abroad with your pet will be easy if you prepare the necessary documents in advance and provide your furry friend with comfortable conditions. Importation rules, a list of certificates, the estimated cost of processing, and tips to help you travel comfortably with your four-legged friend are described below.

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Rules for bringing animals into EU countries and necessary documents

The rules for the transport, import, and export of animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, exotic animals, and other animals) between EU member states have been harmonized. The current rules for the import of dogs, cats, and ferrets into EU countries are governed by Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 and Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 577/2013, which will be in force until 2026. Any animal crossing the border of the European Union and other countries must meet these requirements.

The requirements are often not only to the animal's documents, vaccinations and health certificates, but also to the conditions of transportation of the four-legged friend.

If you have any questions regarding border crossing and entry rules for the EU and other countries, please contact the immigration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. Our specialists will answer all your questions and help you understand the immigration requirements of different countries.

Read also: New rules for transporting animals on buses have been approved — what passengers need to know.

What you need to take your pet abroad

To travel to Europe, an animal must have a number of vaccinations and supporting documents. However, please note that different countries may have separate requirements and rules for the importation of animals, so we advise you to familiarize yourself with the border crossing rules of the particular country you are planning to travel to before you travel.

Step 1: Microchipping

It is necessary to start preparing with chipping (identification of the animal with a microchip).

A microchip is a small microchip, 2×12 mm in size, which is inserted under the skin of an animal. The chip stores basic information about the animal: country of origin, breed, color, name, vaccinations, owner's name and contact number. The information can be read using a scanner or a mobile phone that supports NFC technology.

The chip parameters are defined by Resolution 576/2013 and must comply with the following standards:

– ISO 11784 using FDX-B or HDX technologies.

– ISO 11785. 

Important! The chip must be installed at the first stage of preparation. All analyzes made before this point will be invalidated.

At the same time, the chip data must match the documents provided, be in the electronic database, and the chip barcode must be pasted into the veterinary passport. Chipping must be performed before or simultaneously with rabies vaccination. 

The chipping procedure is quite simple and will not harm your pet. It is carried out in a veterinary clinic. The estimated cost is 500-900 UAH.

Step 2: Veterinary passport

Passport of the European standard issued by state veterinary institutions. The document is filled out in English and Ukrainian and is valid for the rest of the animal's life. The approximate cost of registration is about 400 UAH.

Step 3: Rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination - vaccination should be carried out only in a veterinary clinic. The rabies vaccine must be certified and comply with the WHO standard. The veterinary passport must contain appropriate notes that must be certified by the doctor's signature and the clinic's seal.

Please note that rabies antibody testing is possible only 30 days after the last vaccination. Therefore, it is necessary to be vaccinated no earlier than 30 days before the sample collection and no later than one year before the test.

At the first vaccination, the animal is fully protected from the disease 21 days after it is vaccinated. In the case of booster doses, on the day of administration.

The cost of the service is 150-300 UAH and depends on the chosen vaccine.

Traveling abroad with your pet?

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Step 4: Rabies antibody titer test

Rabies antibody titer test is a laboratory test that allows you to determine the degree of antibodies against rabies, that is, to find out if your animal is protected after vaccination. If the antibody titer is less than the established norm, then the animal must be re-vaccinated against rabies. The formation of immunity is influenced by a number of factors: breed, species, age, frequency of vaccination, etc.

Important! If necessary, a rabies antibody titer test is performed no earlier than 30 days after vaccination, and travel with the animal is permitted 3 months after blood sampling. The test is carried out in laboratories recognized by the European Union.The list of such laboratories is available on the website.

The approximate cost of the test is 2500 UAH. An urgent test will cost 5000 UAH.

 
Step 5: Form 1 VET or veterinary certificate

VET-1/ VET-1 (CIS) is a special veterinary certificate containing basic information about the animal. In Ukraine, there are three main documents:

● Certificate Form No. 1 (VET-1) — issued by the state veterinary service for the movement of animals within Ukraine.

● Certificate VET-1 (CIS) — a document for CIS countries, also issued by state authorities.

● International certificate (VET-1/VET-1 (CIS)) — required for crossing the border with EU countries. Issued at a border veterinary station on the basis of a valid certificate.

That is, if you plan to travel abroad, you must first obtain a Certificate Form No. 1 (VET-1/VET-1 (CIS)) at a state veterinary clinic, and then exchange it for an international certificate at the border checkpoint. In this case, the certificate must be completed in the language of the country of entry and in English for all EU countries.

Please note: the certificate is valid for 5 days, and the certificate is valid for 3 days. When planning your trip, allow time for processing and the need for a new certificate on your return journey.

Step 6: Treatment for fleas, ticks, and worms

1-2 days before the trip, the animal must be treated for parasites (at any veterinary clinic). A corresponding note with the date must be made in the animal's passport.

Important! The cost of procedures and veterinary services is approximate and may vary depending on the region, clinic, and document processing period.

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What has changed since 2026?

• The rules have been incorporated into the updated Animal Health Law

• Requirements for animal identification have been clarified

• Documentation and controls have been defined more clearly

The main requirements for owners have not become more complicated

• There are no ‘new strict rules for everyone’

• There are no new mandatory vaccinations

• There are no mass additional tests for travel to the EU

• The ‘2026–2028 transition’ is merely a technical update of documents, not new restrictions

How to get an international passport for an animal?

To travel abroad, you need an international veterinary passport and additional certificates (form No. 1), which are issued at a state veterinary clinic immediately before departure.

Required documents and steps for issuing an international pet passport

1. Preparation of the animal

- Chipping and registration in the database (for example, Animal-ID), if the animal is not yet chipped.

- Vaccination against rabies and other infectious diseases (carried out after chipping), indicating the date, vaccine series, doctor's signature and clinic seal.

- Treatment against parasites (deworming and flea/tick treatment) 7-10 days before vaccination.

2. Owner's documents

- Passport of a citizen of Ukraine.

- Identification code (if necessary).

3. Documents for the animal

- Document confirming ownership (purchase and sale agreement, certificate of registration of a pedigree animal).

- Color photo of the animal 3x4 cm.

4. Procedure in the clinic

- Contact the state veterinary clinic.

- Provide the above documents.

- Get a medical examination.

- The doctor will enter the microchip and vaccination data into the new veterinary passport.

- Pay the administrative fee.

Read also: Border crossing rules for 2025 — how to leave Ukraine? 

How to prepare your pet for traveling? Features of transportation

After preparing the documents, it is worth taking care of transporting animals. For those traveling by train, bus or plane, you need to purchase a special container that meets IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards. It is better to use carrier bags only for short trips or when traveling by public transport.

We have described in detail how to travel with pets by train in this article. 

All means of transportation should be selected taking into account the size of the animal and its weight. Also, before the trip, we advise you to spend some time getting your pet used to the new container.

Those traveling by car can transport the animal

- in the container;

- in the back seat, preferably with a car hammock;

- in the trunk, using a car bed.

The main thing is that there are no objects near the animal that could injure it. You should also take care of safety while driving. To prevent the animal from jumping into the driver's seat while driving, buy a special net for the car.

Before you leave, gather all the necessary things for the trip: a collar, leash, muzzle, first aid kit, bowls, food, and water. Consult your veterinarian about treating your pet for ticks and fleas. If you know your destination, look for information about the nearest veterinary clinics.

Before traveling, it is better not to feed the animal, but only give it a drink of water. If you know that your pet may be sick, consult your veterinarian about medications. When traveling, sometimes let the animal stretch and offer water more often. A favorite toy or treat will help keep your furry friend in a good mood while traveling.

To ensure your trip is safe and without delays at the border, take out international car insurance “Green Card”. It covers liability to third parties in the event of an accident abroad and is recognized in most European countries.

The application takes only a few minutes online, and your trip will become more peaceful and confident.

Apply for a Green Card now.

We remind you! During martial law, leaving Ukraine remains possible, but the rules for crossing the border differ depending on gender, age, and purpose of travel. Border guards are carefully checking documents, and new biometric procedures may affect the speed of control. We have already talked about the current requirements for leaving Ukraine in 2026.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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