The Latest Pet Travel Information for 2026｜International Transport of Dogs and Cats, EU Regulations, Complete Guide to ETA in the U.K.

PetAir JPN provides you with easy-to-understand explanations of the latest information on international dog and cat transportation, including the new EU regulations and the mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in the UK, to ensure safe and comfortable international pet travel.

Impact of Middle East Airspace Restrictions on Pet Travel

As of March 2, 2026, some pet travel flights have been affected by airspace restrictions in the Middle East. The following are the main situations that have occurred

• Extension of travel time by setting up detour routes for flights
• Short-term cancellation of some flights
• Delays at major hub airports

Airlines have set alternate routes with safety as a top priority, and pet transport providers are continuously monitoring the situation. Affected customers are being contacted directly, so those planning to travel should stay tuned for updates.

For more information, see PetAir UK's latest blog.
https://www.petairuk.com/blog/middle-east-airspace-updates-petair/

New EU pet travel regulation to take effect April 22, 2026

The EU has significantly revamped its pet migration system since 2013, with new regulations coming into effect on April 22, 2026. The main changes are as follows

• Certificate from an area with no reported rabies cases required within 30 days prior to travel
• Individual identification codes (alphanumeric) are now mandatory for pet birds
• In the future, pre-registration in the digital traceability system 5 days prior to travel will be mandatory.
• Number of pets that can be transported at one time is limited to 5 as before

Authorities in EU member countries are scheduled to issue detailed guidance by April 22. If you are planning to travel abroad for pets, please check PetAir JPN frequently for the latest information and prepare the necessary documents and procedures in advance.

For more information, please refer to the PetAir JPN article.
https://petair.jp/2026-eu-uk-new-zealand-pet-travel-regulations/

New Zealand's pet import deregulation simplifies procedures

Effective March 1, 2026, New Zealand's pet import regulations have been relaxed. The crate seal requirement for importation of dogs and cats from Category 3 countries (including Japan) will be abolished and travel procedures will be greatly simplified.

In addition, an agreement between New Zealand and Australia has facilitated the transport of dogs and cats between the two countries, with pet migration from NZ to Australia increasing by 601 TP3T over the past three years.

Relevant information is provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry MPI and PetAir JPN.
https://petair.jp/2026-eu-uk-new-zealand-pet-travel-regulations/
Yahoo! JAPAN / Nekochan Honpo (March 2, 2026)

Latest Trends in Pet Friendly Airlines in 2026

Choosing an airline for international pet travel is more complex than ever before, and the main features of 2026 are as follows

• Large dogs are not allowed on commercial flights. Manifest cargo or charter flights are required.
• Short breeds (bulldogs, pugs, etc.) have shipping restrictions on many airlines.
• Pet transportation restrictions are tightened on some routes during the summer months (May-September).
• In principle, shipments to the UK must be transported by manifest cargo

According to Starwood Pet Travel's 2026 Global Report, the number of international pet shipments exceeds 40,000, an increase of 800% over 2019. Popular destinations are the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and Germany.

For more information, please see the Paws Abroad article (in English).
https://www.pawsabroad.co/blog/pet-friendly-airlines-in-2026-the-complete-guide-to-flying-with-dogs-and-cats-cabin-cargo-shared-charters/

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Mandatory for the United Kingdom and Pet Travel Precautions

As of February 25, 2026, Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is mandatory for travelers to the United Kingdom. Japan falls under unlisted countries and the following conditions are required for the international transportation of dogs and cats.

• Attachment of microchip
• rabies vaccination
• Antibody titer of 0.5 IU/ml or higher is certified by antibody test 30 days after vaccination.
• 3-month waiting period after antibody test
• Echinococcus (striped worms) treatment for dogs 24-120 hours prior to entry into the country.

Be sure to check PetAir JPN's explanation page for detailed procedures.
https://petair.jp/2026-eu-uk-new-zealand-pet-travel-regulations/

summary

The year 2026 is a year of major changes in the environment surrounding pet international travel. Flight delays due to Middle East airspace restrictions, new EU regulations, relaxed import procedures in New Zealand, changes in airline pet transport rules, and mandatory ETAs for the UK are all intertwined.

PetAir JPN is constantly updating this information, so please take advantage of it.

Source List

• PetAir UK:. https://www.petairuk.com/blog/middle-east-airspace-updates-petair/
• PetAir JPN: PetAir JPN: PetAir JPN: PetAir JPN: PetAir JPN https://petair.jp/2026-eu-uk-new-zealand-pet-travel-regulations/
• Portugal.com (EU Regulatory Information)
• New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry MPI
• Yahoo! JAPAN / Neko-chan Honpo:. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0a7a1a87f3f6d6e5d3b5a9d8e5ee8f1c9e8a3d4e
• Paws Abroad:. https://www.pawsabroad.co/blog/pet-friendly-airlines-in-2026-the-complete-guide-to-flying-with-dogs-and-cats-cabin-cargo-shared-charters/