🔄 Updated : June 30, 2026

Identification, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport, rabies titer test, tapeworm treatment, import permit, quarantine… Every country sets its own entry rules for a dog, and a single missing document can mean a denied boarding or a quarantine. This guide recaps the requirements country by country, verified against official sources.

👉 For a personalized answer, use our dog entry requirements checker by country: pick your destination and it displays the exact list of steps, timelines and sources.

The common foundation: microchip, rabies, travel document

Whatever the destination, three fundamentals come up almost every time:

  • Microchip identification (ISO standard), implanted before the rabies vaccination.
  • A valid rabies vaccination: initial vaccination from 12 weeks of age, then a waiting period of at least 21 days before travel.
  • A travel document: the EU pet passport, issued by a veterinarian, for dogs based in the EU — it records identification and vaccination. Dogs traveling from outside the EU use the equivalent official health certificate required for their route.

Beyond this foundation, each country adds its own requirements (rabies titer test, tapeworm treatment, permits…), summarized below.

Requirements by destination

DestinationDifficultyLead timeGuide
🇪🇺 European Union / Schengen Easy 21 days minimum (after a first rabies vaccination) Read
🇮🇪 Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway Moderate 21 days + tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before Read
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Moderate 21 days + tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before Read
🇨🇭 Switzerland Easy 21 days minimum (after a first rabies vaccination) Read
🇮🇸 Iceland Very demanding Several months (permit + strict conditions) —
🇲🇦 Morocco Moderate A few weeks (certificates with strict timing) Read
🇹🇳 Tunisia Moderate A few weeks Read
🇺🇸 United States Easy A few days (online form) Read
🇨🇦 Canada Easy A few days Read
🇲🇽 Mexico Easy A few days to 2 weeks Read
🇧🇷 Brazil Moderate A few weeks Read
🇹🇷 Turkey Demanding About 4 months (rabies titer test + 3-month wait) Read
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates (Dubai) Demanding 1 to 2 months Read
🇹🇭 Thailand Demanding 1 to 2 months (import permit) Read
🇸🇬 Singapore Very demanding Several months (permit + rabies titer test + quarantine) Read
🇯🇵 Japan Very demanding About 7 months (180-day wait) Read
🇦🇺 Australia Very demanding 6 to 7 months + quarantine Read
🇳🇿 New Zealand Very demanding 6 to 7 months + quarantine Read

➕ The full list (79 countries and counting) is available in the entry-requirements checker.

Data verified against official sources (June 2026). Rules change: always confirm with the destination country's authorities before booking.

Which mode of transport for which destination?

Once the paperwork is in order, it’s time to organize the trip itself: by plane (our comparison of 62 airlines), by train, by car or by ferry for many European destinations. For the hold, remember to size the IATA crate.

Frequently asked questions

Does my dog need a passport to travel?
For the European Union and many countries, yes: the EU pet passport, issued by a veterinarian, records identification and rabies vaccination. Dogs based outside the EU travel on an equivalent health certificate, and outside the EU a destination-specific health certificate is often required as well.
Which destinations are the most demanding?
Japan and Australia are the strictest (rabies titer test, 180-day wait, quarantine), requiring 6 to 8 months of preparation. By contrast, the EU, Switzerland, the United States and Canada are relatively simple.
How far in advance should I start?
From a minimum of 21 days (EU) to 7–8 months (Japan, Australia). When in doubt, start as soon as you know your destination.

Sources

Official sources cited in each country guide (European Commission, GOV.UK, CDC, CFIA, MAFF, DAFF, ONSSA, MOCCAE…), consulted in June 2026. Verify before departure — regulations change.