Pet travel
Travel documents for your pet
What applies to almost every journey, what changes by region — and how you can organise the preparation.
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.
How we help
We tell you early which groups of documents are usually required on your route, and on request we put you in touch with an agency specialising in worldwide pet travel. Whether you engage them is your decision. We do not obtain or review the documents ourselves.
Entry and transport requirements can change at short notice. What applies is set by the authorities, veterinarians and the operating carrier at the time of travel.
Your preparation
Step by step to your travel documents
You decide how to prepare the paperwork: yourself, with a provider of your choice, or with the agency we can put you in touch with.
- 01
Tell us the route and the animal
Give us the route, travel date and which animal is travelling. We tell you whether cabin travel is possible in principle on that route.
- 02
Organise the preparation
Engage a specialist agency, a provider of your choice, or organise the documents yourself. On request we will name an agency that handles worldwide pet travel; the contract, scope and cost are agreed directly between you and them.
- 03
Originals on the day
Carry all required 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. The binding requirements are those set by the responsible authorities, veterinarians and operating carrier at the time of travel.
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.
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 matter 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 especially early preparation.
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 may determine whether entry is permitted.
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.
Support
If you want support
Journeys with an animal rarely fail because of the flight. They fail on deadlines: waiting periods after a rabies vaccination, validity windows for import permits, titre tests that run for months. First-time travellers underestimate the lead time. That is why, on request, we will name an accredited agency for worldwide pet travel. They provide advice, deadline planning and document review as their own service, directly to you. You are equally free to prepare everything yourself or to use another provider — your booking with Sky Society does not depend on it.
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 Sky Society fully handle vet visits and authority procedures?
No. Veterinary appointments, examinations, vaccinations and official procedures are yours to arrange. On request we will name an agency specialising in worldwide pet travel that offers this preparation as its own service. You are equally free to organise it yourself or to use another provider.
Can entry be refused even with complete documents?
Yes. The decision always rests with the responsible authorities and the captain. Complete documents are a precondition, not a guarantee of entry.
Do I need to carry original documents?
Often, yes. Which originals are required depends on the route, destination and species. The binding answer comes from the responsible authorities or from the agency you engage.
What happens if a rule changes after booking?
Entry and transport requirements can change at short notice. What applies is the position on the day of travel. Monitoring those requirements for your route is part of the specialist agency's service, not of Sky Society's.
Plan your journey with your pet.
Tell us the route, travel date and pet. We will tell you whether cabin travel is possible, and put you in touch with the specialist agency if you want.