Relocating to another Country is indeed a major life change and when one travels with their beloved pet, things can get tricky. It is important to plan everything in detail in order to guarantee a safe trip and a stress-free relocation to your four-legged best friend! So, here are some information about travelling and moving to Italy or Malta with your pet.

Within the European Union, pet relocation is governed by shared regulations which are valid both for trips from and to Countries within EU, and for trips from a third Country to an EU Country. The requirements that your pet must meet are as follows:

  • Your Pet needs to be microchipped or to have a readable tattoo if applied before July 3, 2011.
  • Your Pet needs to be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Your Pet must have undergone a rabies antibody titration test if travelling from a non-EU Country.
  • Your Pet must have been treated for the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm if your destination is free of this parasite – Malta, for example.
  • Your Pet needs to have a valid European pet passport when traveling from an EU Country (or Northern Ireland) to another EU country (or Northern Ireland) – this document is issued only to owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets residing in the EU, and it contains the details of your pet, including the microchip/tattoo code, health record information, and contact information of the owner and the veterinarian who issued the passport. The passport can be requested to any veterinarian authorized and is valid for life, provided that the animal’s health records remain up to date.
  • an EU health certificate when traveling from a third Country – this document contains specific information about your pet (identity, health, and rabies vaccination status) and it can be requested to an official veterinarian in the Country of departure no more than 10 days before the pet’s arrival in the EU. A written declaration must also be attached to the certificate, stating that the animal is not being moved for commercial purposes. The certificate is only valid for 4 months starting from the issue date or until the expiration of the rabies vaccination.

Please, remember! You can only enter the EU with your pet through a designated passenger entry point in the Member State of destination – Italy and Malta are within the list of entry point Countries. Upon entry, you must contact the competent authorities on site, who will verify your pet’s documents and identity. If your pet fails the checks, it may be returned to the Country of departure or placed in quarantine until it complies with EU health regulations. If neither of these options is possible, it may be euthanized.

Once you gather all the mandatory documents, you can book the trip. If you travel by plane, the airline will be your first reference point. Each airline has specific regulations for transporting animals – some allow dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, while others require that the animal must be placed in the cargo hold. Always check the size limits for in-cabin travel and make sure your animal has a proper crate for a comfortable flight! Instead, if you travel by train, consider that in general, small dogs and cats can travel for free if they are in a carrier, while larger dogs require a ticket, the price of which may vary depending on the railway company and the train class.

Once you arrive in Italy or Malta, you can start your new life with your best friend. But be careful! When house-hunting, always check if the property accepts pets!