How to move to Italy with your dog

When moving to Italy with a pet, it’s important to follow rules specified by both Italy itself and the European Union. In this article I will walk you through the process of moving to and living with pets in Italy. This includes collecting the right documents, meeting the pet travel requirements, and arranging important documentation after you arrive in Italy. Let’s make your move smoother and safer as possible.

What to know before moving your pets to Italy:

When entering Italy with your pet, the regulations may vary depending on whether you are from an EU or non-EU country. Nonetheless, there are some general rules that apply to everyone:

Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped or have a readable tattoo (before 3rd July 2011). Italy recognizes microchips that adhere to Annex A of ISO standard 11785, ISO Standard 11784, AVID 9, and AVID 10.
It is prohibited to bring dogs, cats, and ferrets that are:
- Younger than 12 weeks and have not been vaccinated against rabies.
- Between 12 and 16 weeks old and have been vaccinated against rabies for less than 21 days.
You are not permitted to bring more than 5 pets at the same time. However, if your pet is participating in competitions, exhibitions, or sporting events, you are allowed to exceed this limit.

Moving to Italy with your pet from an EU country

If you move to Italy from an EU country, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland or the Vatican City, the process is fairly smooth.

Here’re the documents you need to have to move to Italy from an EU country:

EU Pet Passport that states the details of the vaccine, the contact information of the pet owner, and a description of the pet.
Vaccination against rabies that’s received at least 21 days before the departure date.
Microchip or tattoo – If transporting your pets to Italy, it’s important to note that all pets must be microchipped and vaccinated before entry. This ensures your pet remains safe and healthy before, during, and after their move. It can also give you peace of mind that your pet will be protected in their new home.

Other important information to keep your move on track.

You cannot bring more than 5 pets at the same time. In case your pet will participate in competitions, exhibitions or sporting events, you’re allowed to exceed the limit.
EU 5-Day Rule – As a rule, pets must travel with their owners; however, you may give written permission to another person to accompany your pet for you. You must however be reunited your pet within 5 days of its relocation.

Moving to Italy with your pet from an NON -EU country

According to Italian regulations, specific requirements must be met to bring pets from countries outside Europe (including the UK):

EU Pet Passport that states the details of the vaccine, the contact information of the pet owner, and a description of the pet.
EU animal health certificate, which contains specific information about your pet (identity, health, rabies vaccinations) and is based on an EU standard model.
The pet must be at least 3 months old.
It should have a microchip or tattoo (issued before July 2011).
The pet must be vaccinated post microchipping.
If the first vaccine is for rabies, the pet needs to wait 21 days before entering Italy.
If the pet is from a rabies-prevalent country, it must wait 30 days post-vaccination for a ‘titer test’. After 3 months, the pet can enter Italy.
Booster injections have no wait time if given before the previous vaccine expires.
The pet cage should have the owner’s name and contact details.
Tick or echinococcus treatment is not required.

For travel with or within 5 days of the pet’s transport, a non-commercial transport declaration form must be completed 10 days before entering Italy. The form states that the pet won’t be sold or transferred. Both the health certificate and declaration form should be filled out by a vet. If travelling from the USA or Canada, the vet must be CFIA or USDA approved.If unable to travel with or within 5 days of the pet’s transport, it will be considered a commercial move, incurring additional costs and potential document requirements.

Welcome to Italy!

Once you arrive in Italy, you have to register your pet with an Italian vet and at the local pet registry called anagrafe degli animali d’affezione (mandatory for dogs). Then you’ll then need to get insurance for your pet, choosing between 2 different types of insurance: