Non-commercial movements of pet animals

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 on formalities for pet animals travelling between EU countries

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It aims to ease formalities for the owners of dogs, cats and ferrets when travelling with their pets.

KEY POINTS

This law applies to non-commercial movement of pet animals into an EU country from another EU country, a territory or a non-EU country. It builds on the existing pets’ passport scheme and introduces a new model of passport.
Cats, dogs and ferrets can travel with their owners within the EU if they have a passport that contains proof of their identity and their anti-rabies vaccination.
To travel between EU countries, pets must:
- be marked (by means of a transponder* or tattoo);
- have received an anti-rabies vaccination;
- comply with any preventive health measures for diseases other than rabies;
- be accompanied by a passport completed and issued by an authorised vet.
The specifications for the new passport are laid down by the European Commission in Regulation (EU) No 577/2013. The passport includes information such as:
- the location of the transponder or the tattoo and the alphanumeric code displayed by the transponder or the tattoo;
- the name, species, breed, sex, colour, date of birth and any noteworthy characteristics of the pet;
- owner’s and authorised vet’s details;
- details of the anti-rabies vaccination.
To enter the EU, pets from non-EU countries must meet the same minimum conditions. Depending on the non-EU country’s rabies status, there may be additional strict requirements to be met, including a blood test carried out after vaccination and verified by an approved laboratory.
The previously existing model of passport, if it was issued before 29 December 2014, will remain valid.
Where rabies or a disease other than rabies occurs, the non-commercial movement or transit of pet animals may be suspended from all or part of the territory of the EU country or non-EU country concerned.
EU countries must provide the public with clear and easily accessible informationnternet concerning the requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pets and the rules for compliance checks on such movement. They must also publishnternet this information on the internet.

Exceptions

EU countries may allow the non-commercial movement into their territory from another EU country of pets which are either:
- under 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination; or
- are between 12 and 16 weeks oldand have received an anti-rabies vaccination , but do not yet meet the vaccination validity requirements of the law.
Unless the owners can prove that the animals are travelling to participate in sporting events or exhibitions, they may be accompanied by a maximum of 5 pets.

Repeal

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 repeals Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 with effect from 21 April 2021.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 29 December 2014.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

‘Movement of pets’ on the European Commission's website

* KEY TERM

transponder: a read-only passive radio frequency identification device

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, pp. 1–26)

RELATED ACTS

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 of 28 June 2013 on the model identification documents for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, the establishment of lists of territories and third countries and the format, layout and language requirements of the declarations attesting compliance with certain conditions provided for in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, pp. 109–148)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, pp. 1–208)

last update 04.07.2016