CONDITIONS

Regulation 998/2003 strengthens the rules applying to cats, dogs and ferrets entering the EU from third countries, to prevent the risk of rabies.

Pet animals brought into Community territory from a third country other than Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and The Vatican are subject to documentary and identity checks by the competent authorities at travellers' points of entry.

ATTENTION: When there are more than 5 animals, the requirements and controls are those applicable to commercial movements (see corresponding page in the topics).

The rules applying to movements between Member States also apply to certain European (non EU) countries :

• Andorra
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• Norway
• San Marino
• Switzerland
• The Vatican

Third countries other than Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and The Vatican fall within two categories :

(1) THIRD COUNTRIES WITH A FAVOURABLE SITUATION WITH REGARD TO RABIES

Countries with a favourable situation with regard to rabies are listed in Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.

Entry into Member States other than Finland, Malta, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom :

Valid rabies vaccination is the sole requirement as regards rabies

Member States may allow entry of young animals under 3 months old under certain conditions ( to be defined by the competent national authorities)

Entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom

Until 30 June 2010, the national legislation applies to entry of cats and dogs into Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden or the United Kingdom. In addition to vaccination, an antibody titration (a test to see if the vaccine has been effective) will need to be carried out by an approved lab before travelling with the pet to Ireland, Malta, Sweden or the United Kingdom.

Furthermore, an anti-tapeworm (echinococcosis) treatment is required to enter Finland, Ireland, Malta, Sweden or the United Kingdom and an anti-tick treatment to enter Ireland, Malta or the United Kingdom. For exact details, go to the following national websites:

• Irish website : http://www.agriculture.gov.ie
  
• Swedish website : http://www.sjv.se/
  
• British website : http://www.defra.gov.uk
  
• Maltese website : http://www.mrae.gov.mt
  
• Finland website : http://www.evira.fi/portal/en/

(2) OTHER THIRD COUNTRIES

Countries with an unfavourable situation or for which no application to be listed has been submitted to the Commission are not listed in Part C of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 998/2003.

Entry into Member States other than Finland, Malta, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom :

Rabies vaccination and in addition testing carried out by an approved lab on a blood sample taken three months before movement will be required for entry.

N.B.   As to the return of pets after a brief stay abroad (e.g. for holidays), it is advisable to have the test done in time before the departure of the animal so that it satisfies all the requirements on its return. After the test, the animals must be given boosters at regular intervals prescribed by the vaccine producing laboratory. If the booster rules are not respected, the animal will have to be tested again after a new vaccination and the pet will again be considered to be in conformity with the rules only three months later.

Entry into Finland, Malta, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom :

In addition to rabies vaccination and testing, an anti-tapeworm (echinococcosis) treatment is required to enter Finland.

Quarantine shall apply to enter Malta, Ireland, Sweden and the United Kingdom but this comes under national law (see national web sites above).

DOCUMENT

The Liechtenstein, San Marino and Switzerland have informed the Commission that they had adopted the passport model as described in Annex I of Commission Decision 2003/803/EC.

A health certificate for non-commercial movements of pets (cats, dogs and ferrets) entering the EU from Third Countries has been adopted by the Commission under Decision 2004/824/EC. It entered into force on 3 July 2004.

The forms in the various linguistic versions may be downloaded here (See notes for guidance at the end of the certificate).

The certificates are also available in pdf format:

The health certificate will need to be printed on a single sheet of paper in the language of the Member State of entry and completed in block letters either in the language of the Member State of entry or in English.

The certificate must be accompanied by supporting documentation, or a certified copy of it, including vaccination details and the result of the serological test. This documentation must bear the identification details of the animal concerned.

The certificate is valid for movements within the EU for a period of four months from the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the vaccination, whichever is earlier.

The certificate must be completed according to the conditions provided for in Regulation (EC) 998/2003 which depend on :

•   the third country of origin (there are two kinds of third countries : see Listing of Third Countries)
•   the Member State of entry (the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden have specific requirements: see conditions above)

IDENTIFICATION

The animal shall be identified by an electronic identification system (transponder), or by a clearly readable tattoo. The tattoo, as a means of identification will only be accepted until 3 July 2011 and not for movements to the UK, Malta and Ireland (transponder obligatory).