Moving with pets

If you are moving to Italy with a dog, cat, or ferret, you must carry a properly issued EU pet passport. This document contains all relevant information about the animal and its owner, all mandatory vaccinations, as well as a microchip for identification. For animals marked before July 3, 2011, a clearly legible tattoo is sufficient. The EU pet passport can be issued by any authorized European veterinarian, and data from previous vaccination booklets can be transferred into it. 

In addition to the veterinary certificate confirming a valid rabies vaccination, the passport should also include details of other vaccinations and the general health status of the animal.

Important for dog owners: The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of entry into Italy and must have been administered at least 21 days prior, but not more than one year earlier. A muzzle and leash must always be carried. Transporting your dog in a suitable crate is self-evident, as is the obligation to promptly clean up after your dog. For other pets such as rodents or birds, no certificates are required. As a general rule, a maximum of five animals per person may be brought along.