Pet travel
Travel documents for your pet
What applies to almost every journey, what changes by region, and how your personal concierge coordinates documents, deadlines and specialists for your exact route.
What you take care of
You provide complete and accurate information about your pet, attend required veterinary appointments, arrange examinations and vaccinations, and carry the required originals on the day of travel.
What we coordinate
We create the route-specific checklist, coordinate the timeline and specialists, guide permit processes, pre-check submitted documents and remind you of every open step in good time.
Entry and transport requirements can change at short notice. After booking, your concierge confirms the rules then in force for the origin, destination, transit points, species and travel date. Authorities, veterinarians and operators issue documents or make the final decision.
Personally supported
Step by step to your travel documents
Your concierge coordinates the preparation and review of your travel documents with our specialised partner agency.
- 01
Initial assessment
We record the route, travel date, type of animal, breed, age and existing documents. Together with an accredited specialist agency for worldwide pet travel, we determine the requirements for your journey.
- 02
Coordinate document review
We coordinate the review of your documents with the specialists at our partner agency and let you know which documents need to be added or amended.
- 03
Coordinate deadlines
We let you know when examinations, vaccinations, titre tests or parasite treatments must take place so that your travel documents can be issued on time.
- 04
Documents and permits
Together with our partner agency, we support you in obtaining the required documents and permits and guide you through the necessary steps.
- 05
Final document review
Before travel, we coordinate the final review of your documents with our partner agency for completeness, validity and matching information.
- 06
Carry original documents
Please carry all required travel documents in their original form and keep them readily accessible. Responsibility for carrying them rests with you as the passenger.
The essentials
General guidance on pet travel documents
The exact combination depends on the route. These four document groups form the basis of most international journeys.
Identity and matching records
The microchip should comply with ISO 11784/11785 and be implanted before the relevant rabies vaccination. Its number must match exactly across every document.
Vaccinations and titre tests
A valid rabies vaccination is almost always required. Depending on origin and destination, an antibody titre test and further core vaccinations may apply. Waiting periods can move a journey by weeks or months.
Passport, certificate and permit
Within the EU, an EU Pet Passport is usually the core record. Other routes may require official health certificates, export endorsements and an import permit issued before travel.
Originals and validity
Many authorities accept only originals or officially endorsed versions on the day of travel. Issue and entry windows are often short; names, dates and chip numbers must match throughout.
By destination
Which documents does each region require?
The information below is for orientation. Your definitive checklist is always created for the individual journey and reconfirmed before departure.
European Union
Travel within the EU follows harmonised core rules, although individual member states may require additional treatments.
EU Pet Passport
Issued by an authorised veterinarian and recording the microchip number, valid rabies vaccination and documented treatments.
Rabies vaccination
A primary vaccination normally carries a waiting period of at least 21 days. Uninterrupted boosters may remain valid without a new wait.
Additional treatments
Depending on the destination, dogs may need further measures such as a veterinary-recorded tapeworm treatment.
Switzerland
Switzerland is outside the EU but broadly follows the same framework for private entry from EU member states.
From the EU
An ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination and recognised EU Pet Passport are generally required.
From third countries
Depending on origin, an official health certificate, titre test or advance notification may also be required.
United Kingdom
Great Britain requires an approved route and applies document windows particularly strictly.
Core documents
Microchip, valid rabies vaccination and – depending on origin – an EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
A veterinarian must administer and record it within the prescribed window before arrival; exceptions apply to certain origins.
Route and arrival
The entry point, operator and transport method must be approved for pet travel. We check the route before confirmation.
Other countries outside the EU
Requirements vary widely, including between export, transit and entry.
Health certificate
An official export health certificate is often required, sometimes with endorsement from the competent authority.
Titre test and waiting period
Countries with higher rabies risk often require an antibody result and a waiting period of several months.
Import permit
Many destinations issue a time-limited permit before arrival. It should be applied for within the correct validity window.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE requires a carefully sequenced set of documents; the emirate, port of entry and operator are checked for every journey.
Import permit
A government import permit must be obtained before travel and remain valid on arrival.
Health and identification
An ISO microchip, valid rabies and core vaccinations, and an official health certificate are generally required.
Titre test and breed
A rabies antibody test may apply depending on origin. Additional restrictions can apply to individual breeds or species.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is among the more complex destinations and needs an especially early feasibility review.
Permit and certificate
An import permit and official health certificate may require additional legalisation or government endorsement.
Animal-specific limits
Eligibility, quantity and reason for entry may be restricted. For dogs, breed and purpose are checked before any commitment.
United States
Requirements depend particularly on the dog's age and the rabies risk of countries visited recently.
CDC requirements for dogs
Dogs must meet the current age, microchip and health criteria. A CDC Dog Import Form is generally required before travel.
Origin-dependent evidence
After time in high-risk countries, further vaccination, laboratory and arrival documents may be required.
Canada
Canada differentiates by species, age, origin and purpose of travel.
Rabies evidence
Dogs and cats above the relevant minimum age generally need a valid rabies vaccination certificate.
Arrival inspection
Border officials may inspect documents and health status; commercial imports follow additional rules.
At your side
Personally supported. Prepared with experts.
Your concierge coordinates the preparation and review of your travel documents with an accredited partner agency specialising in worldwide pet travel. Together, we support you in obtaining the required documents and inform you about examinations, treatments and deadlines. You arrange veterinary appointments yourself; documents are issued by the responsible veterinarian or relevant authority.
- Document review by our specialised partner agency
- Clear timelines for vaccinations, examinations, titre tests and parasite treatments
- Support in obtaining required certificates and permits
- Review for completeness, validity and matching information
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How early should I start preparing the documents?
As early as possible – ideally before final flight confirmation. Titre tests, mandatory waiting periods and import permits can take several weeks or months.
Does SkySociety fully handle vet visits and authority procedures?
We coordinate the required steps, provide checklists, align specialists and pre-check documents. Medical services, examinations, vaccinations and official decisions remain with veterinarians, authorities and the pet owner.
Can entry still be refused after the documents have been checked?
Yes. The final decision always rests with the responsible authorities. Our preparation reduces avoidable errors but is not an entry guarantee.
Do I need to carry original documents?
Often, yes. Before departure, your concierge will tell you exactly which originals, printouts or digitally accessible records must be kept within reach.
What happens if a rule changes after booking?
We review requirements through to the day of travel, tell you about relevant changes and adapt the plan with you.
Let us coordinate the documents for your journey.
Tell us the route, travel date and pet. Your concierge will turn them into a tailored document and deadline plan.