Pet Relocation Planner

For most destinations — the EU, the UK, Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica — about one to two months is enough: an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate issued within roughly 10 days of the flight. But any destination that requires a rabies antibody blood test — Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore — needs a much longer runway because of a mandatory waiting period after the blood is drawn, up to about seven months for Japan and Australia. Start with the microchip as early as you can, because it must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

Among common relocation destinations, Australia requires a minimum of 10 days of government quarantine at the Mickleham facility near Melbourne (or 30 days if you skip the optional pre-test identity check), and New Zealand requires a minimum of 10 days at an approved facility, even for healthy, fully-prepared pets. Japan can detain an animal for up to 180 days, but if every requirement is met the arrival inspection usually takes under 12 hours with no detention. The EU, UK, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and the UAE do not quarantine compliant pets — they inspect the paperwork and the animal on arrival.

A rabies neutralising antibody titre test (RNATT) is a blood test that proves the rabies vaccine produced enough antibodies — a result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. Rabies-free destinations require it as extra proof before entry: Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore all require it, and the UAE requires it for pets from higher-risk countries. These countries also impose a waiting period after the blood is drawn — 180 days for Japan and Australia, about 90 days for New Zealand and Singapore — which is what makes those moves take months. The EU, UK and Canada do not require a titer test for pets coming from the US, UK or Canada.

Almost every country's rules state that the pet must be identified by an ISO microchip before it is vaccinated against rabies. If the rabies shot is given first and the chip second, the vaccination is not recognised for travel and must be repeated — which also restarts the clock on any waiting period. Always have the 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 chip implanted, or confirmed already present and readable, at or before the vaccination appointment.

Costs vary widely with distance, the pet's size and whether a blood test, import permit or quarantine is involved. A short move within the EU or to Canada can run a few hundred dollars, while a move to Australia, New Zealand or Japan — with the titre test, import permit, cargo flight and quarantine boarding — commonly totals roughly $2,000 to $6,000 or more per pet. Budget for the vet visits, the microchip, vaccines, the blood test, the endorsed health certificate, an airline-compliant crate, the flight, and any quarantine fees.

Yes. The United States, the United Kingdom and Canada are listed third countries for the EU, so pets travelling from them do not need a rabies antibody blood test. You need an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an EU Animal Health Certificate signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of entry. Ireland, Finland, Malta and Norway additionally require a vet-administered tapeworm treatment for dogs shortly before arrival.

Most destinations require an official veterinary health certificate. For the EU it is the EU Animal Health Certificate, which must be endorsed within 10 days of your arrival and is then valid for four months of onward travel within the EU. Costa Rica wants the certificate issued within about 14 days of travel, and Great Britain uses a GB health certificate on the same 10-day timing. In the US these certificates are issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed by USDA APHIS; the endorsement step can take several days, so leave time before your flight.

That depends on the airline and the route, not on the destination's import rules. Small pets can sometimes travel in-cabin, but many long-haul routes and quarantine countries — especially Australia and New Zealand — require pets to fly as manifested cargo in a compliant crate, often through an approved pet-shipping agent. Confirm the airline's live-animal policy and crate requirements early, because it affects your booking and cost. This planner covers the government import requirements; your airline sets the flight rules.