Travelling abroad with your pet is one of the most rewarding things you can do, and one of the most stressful things to plan. The rules are strict, the paperwork is real, and the consequences of getting it wrong range from a lengthy quarantine for your pet to being turned away at the border entirely.
But here's the thing: international pet travel isn't complicated if you know what you're doing. It just requires preparation, timing, and a checklist you can actually trust.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about international pet travel requirements for cats and dogs — from microchipping and vaccinations to health certificates and country-specific import rules. We'll also show you how platforms like Get Pet Go make finding the right pet-friendly travel service a whole lot easier.
Planning tip: Start your preparation at least 3–6 months before your travel date. Some countries require titre tests with waiting periods, and health certificates have strict validity windows.
International pet travel requirements are the rules set by destination (and transit) countries that dictate what conditions your pet must meet before being allowed to enter. These requirements exist to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies, and they vary significantly from country to country.
At a high level, most countries require some combination of:
The challenge is that every country has its own version of this list — and the order in which you complete these steps matters enormously. Get the sequence wrong and you may have to start again.
Microchipping is the foundation of international pet travel. Almost every country in the world now requires pets to be microchipped before any other documentation is valid.
The international standard is ISO 11784/11785, which produces a 15-digit chip readable by standard scanners. If your pet has an older, non-ISO chip (common in the US), you may need to carry your own compatible scanner or have a second chip implanted.
The microchip must be implanted before your pet's rabies vaccination is administered. If the vaccination came first, many countries will not accept the timeline — meaning the vaccination may need to be repeated after chipping.
This is one of the most common mistakes pet owners make. The sequence is: chip first, then vaccinate.
Rabies vaccination is mandatory for entry into virtually every country that accepts pets. Requirements differ based on whether your destination is rabies-free, rabies-controlled, or high-risk.
If your pet's rabies vaccination expires and needs a booster, most countries treat this as a continuation of cover (not a restart) — provided the booster was given before the expiry date. A lapsed vaccination can trigger a full re-start of the waiting period, so keep a close eye on expiry dates.
If you're travelling to a rabies-free country — such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hawaii, or the UK — a rabies titre test (also called a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test, or RNATT) is typically required.
It's a blood test that confirms your pet has developed a sufficient immune response to the rabies vaccine. The international threshold is ≥ 0.5 IU/ml.
If a titre test is required for your destination, you're looking at a minimum of 4–7 months of preparation time from the point of vaccination. This is why we say: start planning early.
The health certificate (sometimes called a "fit to travel" certificate) is an official document signed by a government-accredited veterinarian, confirming your pet is healthy and meets all entry requirements.
Because the validity window is so short, you need to schedule your vet appointment close to your departure date — but not so close that you can't get endorsement in time. Book your appointment 7–10 days before travel, then allow 1–3 business days for government endorsement.
Some countries require you to notify authorities in advance or obtain an import permit before your pet can enter. This is separate from the health certificate.
Even countries that don't require formal permits may have entry port restrictions — meaning your pet can only legally enter through specific airports or seaports. Always check this before booking your travel.
Many countries — especially those that are island nations or rabies-free — also require treatment for tapeworm and other parasites before entry.
The UK, Ireland, Finland, Norway, and Malta require dogs (not cats) to be treated for Echinococcus tapeworm within a specific window before arrival:
Australia requires dogs and cats to be treated for internal and external parasites as part of their quarantine preparation.
Some countries in North America and the Caribbean require tick treatment, particularly for pets arriving from tick-prevalent regions.
Every country has its own rules. Here's a quick overview of some of the most common destinations for international pet travel.
The UK has its own pet travel scheme following Brexit. To enter:
If travelling from a non-listed country (i.e. countries not on the UK's approved list), a titre test and 3-month wait are also required. You can only enter through approved GB-listed routes and ports.
EU pet travel rules are relatively standardised across member states. You'll need:
Some EU member states have additional requirements — Finland, Ireland, and Malta have stricter rabies rules, for example.
Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world:
Start planning at least 7–12 months in advance for Australia.
The US rules depend on the country of origin:
Note: US regulations for dogs changed significantly in 2024. Always check the CDC's most current guidance before travelling.
Singapore accepts dogs and cats with:
Dogs entering Singapore must also be licenced locally within 30 days of arrival.
Japan is one of the more complex destinations:
The mode of transport adds another layer of requirements on top of destination-country rules.
Flying is the most common method of international pet travel and comes with its own set of rules:
Using a specialist pet travel service through a platform like Get Pet Go means you can search for providers experienced in your specific route and travel type — and filter by pet size, transport method, and dates that work for you.
Several ferry routes across Europe, the UK–Ireland crossing, and other regional routes allow pets on board. Requirements include:
Land crossings — particularly across the US–Canada or US–Mexico borders, or within the EU — are generally more flexible but still require:
The consequences range from inconvenient to devastating:
This is not meant to frighten you — it's meant to underline why proper preparation matters. The good news is that with the right planning, none of these outcomes are likely.
International pet travel requires the right documentation, but it also requires the right transport providers — businesses that understand the rules, are experienced with your route, and can handle your pet's specific needs.
Get Pet Go is a pet travel booking platform connecting pet owners with travel services across air, sea, and land transport. You can filter by:
Whether you're relocating internationally or taking your dog on a European adventure, Get Pet Go helps you find services that take the stress out of the logistics.
👉 Search pet travel services on Get Pet Go
Use this as your planning framework. Requirements vary by country — always verify with official sources and your vet.
6+ months before travel:
3–6 months before travel:
1–2 months before travel:
1–2 weeks before travel:
At minimum, most countries require: an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and an official veterinary health certificate. Many destinations also require a rabies titre test, import permit, or parasite treatment records. Requirements vary significantly by country, so always check official government sources for your specific destination.
For most destinations, start at least 3 months in advance. For countries requiring a titre test and waiting period — such as Australia (6 months), Japan (6 months), or the UK from non-listed countries (3 months) — begin planning 7–12 months ahead.
It depends on the airline and the size of your pet. Small pets (typically under 7–8kg including carrier) may be allowed in the cabin on some airlines. Larger pets must travel as cargo. Not all airlines accept pets at all, and some routes may have restrictions. Always check directly with your airline.
A rabies titre test (RNATT) is a blood test confirming your pet's immune response to the rabies vaccine is sufficient. It is required when travelling to rabies-free countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hawaii, and the UK (for pets from non-listed countries). Results must meet a threshold of ≥ 0.5 IU/ml, tested at an approved laboratory.
Your pet may be quarantined at your expense, refused entry, or returned to the country of origin. In some cases, your pet could be held at a government facility until paperwork is resolved. Getting documentation right in advance is far less stressful and costly than dealing with border issues.
It depends on the destination. Australia requires a mandatory 10-day government quarantine. Japan requires quarantine ranging from 12 hours to 180 days depending on compliance. Many other countries do not require quarantine if all documentation is in order.
Yes. Get Pet Go is a booking platform where pet travel businesses post their services. You can search for providers by pet size, travel type (including air, van, and ferry), route, and availability — making it easier to find the right transport for your international trip.
Yes. Many airlines restrict or ban brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Persian cats, and Himalayan cats due to breathing risks in cargo holds. Some countries also ban specific breeds. Australia, for example, has a list of permitted breeds. Always check both airline and destination-country breed restrictions before booking.
The ISO 11784/11785 standard produces a 15-digit microchip number readable by standard scanners worldwide. If your pet has an older non-ISO chip (common in the US), you may need a compatible scanner or a second ISO chip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered.
Frequently. Government regulations around pet import rules are updated regularly, especially following changes in disease risk classifications. Always verify requirements with the official government authority of your destination country and consult an accredited vet or specialist pet travel service before your trip.
This article is for general guidance only. Pet travel regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the official government authority of your destination country, your airline, and an accredited veterinarian before travel.
Last updated: April 2026