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Pet Movement
Legislation

Country of Destination

Pet Movement Legislation

Country of Departure

Pet Transport from the EU to the USA
– Requirements & Documents

Bringing a Pet from the European Union to the USA

Most EU countries are considered rabies-controlled by the CDC. Therefore, dogs and cats entering from EU member states do not require quarantine or titer testing.

  • Dogs must be at least 6 months old before entering the USA.
  • A microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
  • Rabies vaccination must be given at least 28 days before entry.
  • Vaccination proof is required — an EU Pet Passport is acceptable if completed correctly in English, or a separate veterinary certificate may be used.
  • Complete the CDC Dog Import Form before departure (for dogs only).
  • 👉 Instructions for completing the CDC Dog Import Form can be found here.

Microchipping

For Dogs and Cats: A microchip is mandatory and must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards. It must be implanted before rabies vaccination.


Rabies Vaccination (Dogs)

Dogs entering the USA from EU countries must be vaccinated against rabies.

  • Dogs must be at least six months old at the time of entry.
  • Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 28 days prior to travel.

Rabies Vaccination for Cats

While not required federally in the USA, rabies vaccination for cats is mandatory in some states and cities. Because local laws vary and change frequently, verifying each location’s rules is difficult.

To avoid any delays or problems, we highly recommend that your cat be vaccinated against rabies before entering the USA.


Fit-to-Fly Certificate

Highly recommended. This document should include information about deworming, performed 24–120 hours before arrival. It helps avoid issues caused by inconsistent customs interpretations.

🛑 Important: If Your Dog Recently Entered the EU from a High-Risk Country

If your dog has lived in an EU country for less than six months before traveling to the USA, its previous country of residence will still determine the CDC import requirements. This is especially important if your dog arrived in the EU from a high-risk rabies country.

In this case, the dog must comply with the rules applicable to the high-risk country it came from — not the EU.

Check the requirements for your dog’s original country of residence here.

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