Blood Test
- Rabies vaccination
- Microchip - must be implanted before rabies vaccination
Health Certificate
- within 10 days prior to departure for cats
- within 5 days prior to departure for dogs
Import Permit
- No
Requirements and Timeline
Travel Method
- Pet in cabin
- Pet in hold
- Pet in cargo
Quarantine Request
- No
Others
- 5-day rule
- Different countries may have additional requirement
List of EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden
The necessary procedures and documents for bringing cats and dogs to the EU:
Microchipping: The EU government requires all imported cats and dogs to have a microchip.
Rabies vaccination and provide the vaccination record: A valid rabies vaccination should be administered by an authorised veterinarian at least 21 days before travel.
Official health certificate: A veterinarian will issue an official health certificate to pets that have completed the final health examination. The official health certificate will include information of owner, vet, pets’ microchip, vaccination record etc.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) endorsement: Cats and dogs must hold a health certificate issued by the AFCD within 5-10 days when departing for the EU, proving that the pet's health condition can successfully cope with the flight.
Tapeworm treatment: Dogs are required to have tapeworm treatment administered by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before entering the EU.
In Cabin | Airline Recommendation: AF, LH, LX, KLM Pros: Your pet can stay with you for the whole journey Cons: There are limitations of size and weight for your pet according to the airline policy. |
In Hold | Airline Recommendation: AF, LH, LX, QR Pros: You will pick up at the oversized baggage collection point upon arrival. Cons: Once your pet is in the hold, you won't have access to them until the flight is over. |
In Cargo | Airline Recommendation: CX, AF, LH, LX Pros: Suitable for large pets Cons: Clearance time is long, 6-8 hr, separate pickup point |
The 5-Day Rule
Starting from Dec 2014, entering EU countries, all pets must arrive within five days before or after the owner's arrival before they can be considered as personal pets. Otherwise, they will be considered for commercial use, and the supporting documents will be different. Extra fees may also be required.
If you wish to move to the EU with your pet, please contact us and we can create a personalized plan.
Please note: The information on these destination pages is about relocating dogs and cats from Hong Kong. If you are relocating from other countries or have different types of pets, additional documents and veterinary work may be required. Please contact us to learn about your customized pet immigration plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
