Bringing a pet to Italy

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Italy enforces the EU Pet Travel Scheme (EU 576/2013) for dogs, cats, and ferrets, so requirements depend on where your pet is travelling from. For pets arriving from EU-listed low-risk countries, the process is straightforward: microchip, rabies vaccination, and a valid EU pet passport. For pets from higher-risk (non-listed) countries, stricter rules apply, including a rabies antibody titre test and a 21-day waiting period before entry; quarantine is rare but possible if documentation is incomplete.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Italy.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport or third-country health certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, EU pet passport ~$50-100 if needed. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, and other EU-equivalent territories can use an EU pet passport. No additional testing or permit needed.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from the US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc. need a third-country health certificate endorsed by the competent authority (e.g., USDA for US). No titer test or permit required.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Import permit from Italian Ministry of Health
  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL)
  • Microchip proof

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from high-rabies-risk countries must have a FAVN titer test and an import permit from the Italian Ministry of Health. The titer test must be done at an EU-approved lab. No quarantine if all requirements are met.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Frequently asked questions

The dog must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination, and then wait 21 days after the vaccination before travel. So the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days).
No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. A FAVN titer test is not required for dogs entering Italy from the US. You only need a microchip, rabies vaccination, and a USDA-endorsed health certificate.
You can bring up to 5 dogs under the non-commercial pet travel scheme. If you bring more than 5, you must comply with commercial import rules, which require additional documentation and may involve quarantine.
No. Italy does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard pet import rules. They must still meet all microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test requirements.
The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of entry. If it expires, you need a booster shot and then wait 21 days before travel. The microchip must be implanted before the vaccination.
No. The US does not issue EU pet passports. You must use a third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by the USDA. The certificate is valid for 10 days after issuance for entry into Italy.
No quarantine is required if all import requirements are met: microchip, rabies vaccination, FAVN titer test (≥0.5 IU/mL), import permit, and health certificate. The titer test must be done at least 3 months before travel.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Italy.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU Pet Passport (issued by an EU vet) or Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€50-150, rabies vaccine ~€30-80. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Cats from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) can use an EU Pet Passport. No titer test or quarantine.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-80. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g. US, UK, Japan, Australia) need an Animal Health Certificate endorsed by the competent authority. No titer test or quarantine.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Import permit from the Italian Ministry of Health (requested via the local ASL or online portal)
  • Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine date, and validity
  • FAVN titer test certificate from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Microchip certificate or proof of implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-80, FAVN titer test ~€100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Cats from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India) must have a negative FAVN titer test and an import permit. No quarantine after arrival if all documents are in order.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Frequently asked questions

Yes. If your cat originates from a high-risk country (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India), a FAVN titer test is mandatory. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The result must show at least 0.5 IU/mL. The test must be performed at an EU-approved laboratory.
You may bring up to 5 cats as a non-commercial traveller. If you bring more than 5, commercial import rules apply, which require additional documentation and fees. This limit applies per person.
No. Italy does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard pet import requirements. Your cat must still meet all microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit rules.
The Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) must be issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Italy. For travel from non-EU countries, the certificate must also be endorsed by the competent authority (e.g. USDA in the US) within 10 days of travel.
No. EU Pet Passports are only issued by EU veterinarians for pets already resident in the EU. Cats from the US, UK, Japan, or other non-EU countries must use an Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) instead. The certificate must be endorsed by the relevant government authority.
No. Italy does not require quarantine for cats arriving from any country, provided all import requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and if applicable, titer test and import permit) are met. Your cat can travel directly to your destination.
The rabies vaccination must be valid on the day of travel. If the booster is overdue, the cat must be revaccinated and wait 21 days before entering Italy. For cats from high-risk countries, the titer test must also be repeated if the vaccination interval is broken.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Italy.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or EU-authorised veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU Pet Passport (for EU-equivalent territories) or third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) issued within 10 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and validity date
  • Microchip implantation certificate (if not already recorded in passport or health certificate)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~€30-60, health certificate ~€50-150, rabies vaccine ~€30-80. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Ferrets from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, Monaco, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Greenland) can use an EU Pet Passport. No titer test or import permit needed.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's competent authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and validity date
  • Microchip implantation certificate (if not already on health certificate)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~€30-60, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-80. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g. UK, USA, Japan, Australia) need a third-country health certificate endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country. No titer test or import permit required.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Import permit from the Italian Ministry of Health (Ufficio III - Animali da compagnia), applied for at least 30 days before travel
  • Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's competent authority
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and validity date
  • FAVN titer test certificate from an EU-approved laboratory showing titre ≥0.5 IU/mL
  • Microchip implantation certificate (if not already on health certificate)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — microchip ~€30-60, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-80, FAVN titer test ~€100-250, import permit ~€50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India, China, most of Africa) require a FAVN titer test with a 3-month waiting period after the blood draw, plus an import permit from the Italian Ministry of Health. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Ministero della Salute Italy

Frequently asked questions

No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Ferrets from the US do not need a FAVN titer test. They only need an ISO microchip, rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate (Annex IV) issued within 10 days of arrival.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, you must comply with commercial import regulations, which require an EU health certificate, a registered importer, and additional checks. The 5-pet limit applies to all pet species combined (dogs, cats, ferrets).
No. Italy does not recognise emotional support animals under its pet import rules. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements. Service animals (guide dogs) have slightly different rules, but only for dogs, not ferrets.
No. Since Brexit, the UK is a third country. Ferrets from the UK need a third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by DEFRA, not an EU Pet Passport. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel and the ferret must be microchipped and rabies-vaccinated.
If you plan to stay longer than the validity of the rabies vaccine (usually 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine), you must get a booster before the current one expires. For re-entry to Italy or travel to another EU country, the vaccine must be valid at the time of travel. There is no grace period for expired vaccines.
No quarantine is required if your ferret meets all requirements: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), FAVN titer test with a 3-month waiting period, and an import permit. If any document is missing or incorrect, the ferret may be quarantined at your expense or refused entry.
There is no minimum age specified for ferrets in Italian regulations, but the rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and you must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So practically, the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old (12 weeks + 21 days) to enter Italy.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination; if the chip is not ISO-compliant, you must bring your own reader. Rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old at time of travel, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old for the vaccine to be valid.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Italy, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Italy's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.