Can I take my dog abroad and what does a pet passport need?
Yes, you can travel with a pet — but the myth "a pet passport alone is enough" is false: you first need a microchip and a rabies shot. Under EU Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, travelling with a dog, cat or ferret between EU countries requires a European pet passport, issued by a veterinarian. The animal must first be marked with a subcutaneous microchip, and only then (or the same day) vaccinated against rabies; the vaccination date cannot be earlier than the microchipping date. After the first vaccination, at least 21 days must pass before travel so that immunity develops. Most importantly, and often overlooked: some countries (for example, Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway) require tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before entry, and travel to or from non-EU countries may need an antibody test and extra documents.
📋 The rules
- Travelling with a dog, cat or ferret within the EU requires a European pet passport (Regulation 576/2013)
- The animal must be marked with a subcutaneous microchip; marking is done before vaccination
- A valid rabies vaccination is required; its date cannot be earlier than the microchipping date
- After the first vaccination, at least 21 days must pass before travel
- Some countries require tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival
🔓 Exceptions
- Travel to or from non-EU countries often needs a rabies antibody test and extra veterinary certificates
- For non-commercial travel one person may carry no more than 5 pets, otherwise commercial requirements apply
- Very young, not-yet-vaccinated puppies are restricted or banned from entry by each country separately
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The biggest risk is not a fine but that the animal is detained at the border or refused entry. If a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination or the passport is missing, the animal may be returned, isolated (quarantined) or, in the extreme, put down – EU rules allow this. Often overlooked: if the 21-day period after vaccination is not observed, the travel is treated as unlawful even when the documents look in order. Breaches of the rules on transporting and marking animals carry administrative liability in Lithuania, supervised by the SFVS (VMVT). In practice the costliest mistake is to plan the trip at the last minute: the vaccine needs time to build immunity, and the tapeworm treatment must be given at a precise time and entered in the passport, so a late visit to the vet can wreck the whole journey.
📎 Official sources
- VMVT · pet passport and travelling with animals →
- EUR-Lex · Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 →
- Your Europe · travelling with pets in the EU →
❓ Frequently asked
What do I need to travel with a dog in the EU?
Travelling with a dog, cat or ferret between EU countries requires a European pet passport, a subcutaneous microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. The animal is microchipped first and only then vaccinated, because the vaccination date cannot be earlier than the microchipping date.
How long must I wait after the rabies shot?
After the first rabies vaccination, at least 21 days must pass before travel so the animal's body builds immunity. This period is counted from the day of vaccination, so the trip must be planned in advance, not a few days before departure.
Is tapeworm treatment needed everywhere?
Not everywhere, but some countries such as Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway require tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival. Such treatment must be given by a veterinarian and entered in the pet passport, otherwise the animal may be refused entry.
What if I travel with the animal without documents?
If a microchip, a valid vaccination or the passport is missing, the animal may be detained at the border, returned, isolated or, in the extreme, put down under EU rules. Breaches of the animal-transport rules also carry administrative liability in Lithuania, supervised by the VMVT.
How many pets can I take?
For non-commercial travel one person may carry no more than five pets. If there are more, stricter commercial requirements and extra certificates apply, so for more animals you should check the procedure set by the VMVT in advance.
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