Pet Transport to Europe Made Easy

Are you planning to move to Europe from South Africa with your pet? Keringa-Petwings can help you navigate all the necessary regulations and make the entire process hassle-free.

Pet Transport to Europe

Transporting pets to Europe without professional advice is challenging due to the complex regulations and documentation required, including vaccinations, microchipping, and health certificates. Additionally, navigating airline policies and ensuring the pet’s comfort and safety during travel can be overwhelming without expert guidance. European Union (EU) Schengen Regulations and Protocols for transporting cats and dogs apply to the following EU countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Keringa-Petwings can assist with the following important requirements:

Veterinary Health Certificates

Your pet will also need a health certificate stating that it is fit and healthy to travel. Your pet’s health certificate should be valid for at least 10 days from date of issue by the vet until the date of travel. A new health certificate is needed each time your pet travels. This certificate, which you can obtain from your vet, should include:
- Proof of rabies vaccination.
- Results of antibody and blood tests.
- Confirmation of tapeworm treatment for dogs.
Blood Tests, Microchipping & Vaccinations

Pets require a rabies neutralising antibodies titration test before entry into the European Union. This can only be done by an authorised vet and needs to be completed at least 31 days after rabies vaccination. Once the blood draw is complete and sent to an approved laboratory, travel can only be completed 90 days or 92 days after the blood draw date. Before entering any EU country, your pet must be microchipped. The microchip must be implanted before any annual vaccinations, as vaccinations given before microchipping are not recognised. According to European Union (EU) regulations, only a registered veterinarian can implant the microchip and administer vaccinations. Additionally, your pet will need specific internal treatments before departure, which must be documented on your veterinary health certificate. Valid rabies vaccination is also required upon arrival; it must be administered more than 30 days but less than a year before entry and recorded in your pet's vet book.
Documentation for Pet Travel to Europe

As the pet owner, you must complete a written declaration stating that your pet is being transported for non-commercial purposes.
To enter any EU country, your pet must also have a pet passport or a Common Veterinary Entry Document. This document, issued by any veterinarian, confirms that your pet has been vaccinated and has undergone a veterinary examination. Your pet will also need a health certificate confirming it is fit and healthy to travel.
Customs Clearance & Quarantine

For all pet travel exports to the EU, SARS customs clearance is required. Proof of this clearance must be provided to the airline along with your pets on their departure date. Keringa-Petwings will manage the entire customs clearance process for you, ensuring all export requirements are fully met. Each EU country may have specific quarantine regulations, but generally, your pet won’t have to be quarantined upon arrival in Europe as long as you comply with all the above health and documentation requirements.

European Pet Transport FAQs

Is my pet eligible to travel to Europe?

Certain EU member states have restrictions on specific dog breeds. If you have a breed classified as “dangerous” and plan to move to the EU with your pet, please check with us first. For pets travelling to the EU, different rules apply depending on whether they travel within 5 days of you. If your pets will travel more than 5 days before or after you, they must travel with a Commercial Health Certificate. While the entry requirements remain the same, the health certificate requirements differ slightly. For pets travelling to Paris and Amsterdam, using an import agent is mandatory. We will recommend suitable agents when we provide your quote.

What are the requirements for pet entry into Europe?

Microchip: All pets must have an ISO-approved microchip, which should be inserted either before or on the same day as the last rabies vaccination.

Rabies Vaccine: Your pet needs an up-to-date and valid rabies vaccine, administered on or after the microchip insertion date. After the rabies vaccination, you must wait at least 32 days. Once this period has passed, you can take your pet to the vet for the RNAT test (Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test). Following the RNAT test, you need to wait an additional 3 months before your pet is eligible to travel to the EU.

Health Certificate: A health certificate is required for pets travelling to the EU and is valid for 10 days. Within 5 days of departure, visit your vet to complete the health certificate. If you have a dog, the vet will also administer a tapeworm treatment, which must be given more than 24 hours but less than 120 hours before arrival in the EU member state.

What types of pets can be transported to Europe?

You can transport a variety of pets to Europe, including dogs, cats, and ferrets. These are the most common pets covered by EU regulations. However, other pets such as birds, ornamental fish, reptiles, rodents, and rabbits can also be transported, but the specific entry requirements may vary by country. It’s always recommended to check the national rules of the destination country for any additional requirements or restrictions.

Must pets be quarantined before flying?

In most cases, pets travelling to Europe do not need to be quarantined if they meet all the entry requirements. These requirements typically include:

Microchipping: Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip.
Rabies Vaccination: Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies, with the vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel.
Rabies Antibody Titration Test: If travelling from certain non-EU countries, your pet may need a rabies antibody titration test.
Health Certificate: An EU health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
Tapeworm Treatment: For dogs, tapeworm treatment is required if travelling to certain countries like Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland.

If these conditions are met, your pet can usually enter the EU without quarantine. However, if any of the requirements are not fulfilled, your pet may be subject to quarantine or other restrictions upon arrival. It’s always best to check the specific regulations of the destination country to ensure compliance and avoid any issues.

What happens when my pets arrive in their new country?

They will need to clear customs, and then depending on the rules of that country, either spend the required period in quarantine or go straight home to you.

Do my pets get food and water while on their journey?

In accordance with international rules and regulations, pets must have access to food and water via secure bowls inside their travel containers. Our travel containers, made to the highest international standards, have secure bowls and absorbent bedding, and we include favourite toys and T-shirts with their owners’ scents on them to make pets as comfortable as possible.