Explanation of the latest points of the 2026 EU pet travel regulation revision

🐾 New hurdles for pets and international travel: background to the 2026 EU regulation revision

In recent years, more and more people are traveling and moving abroad with their pets, and with this trend, travel restrictions in various countries are being reviewed frequently. In particular, the European Union (EU) has announced that new pet travel regulations will be enforced from April 2026, which may affect pet travel from Japan to the EU in the future. This article details the latest EU pet travel regulation revisions and the key points that Japanese pet owners should prepare for.

🌍 What are the EU pet travel regulations that will take effect in April 2026?

While microchipping and rabies vaccinations have been required for EU pet travel in the past, the following points are noteworthy in this revision:

• ISO compliance for microchips is mandatory.
• Mandatory submission of certificate of antibody test after rabies vaccination
• Simplified and electronic procedures for pet passport applications and renewals
• Review of quarantine-free travel conditions from some countries to the EU
• Tighter regulation of the transport environment from an animal welfare perspective

📋 Detailed explanation of specific rules that change

🔍 Stricter microchipping and registration

A microchip that conforms to ISO standards must be installed, and accurate registration information is required after the chip is installed. Non-standard microchips will no longer be accepted for travel in the EU, so please consult with your veterinarian and have the appropriate chip inserted in advance.

💉 Mandatory rabies vaccine and antibody testing

Antibody titer testing (blood test) after rabies vaccination is newly mandatory. In addition to vaccination, it is necessary to prove that the appropriate antibody titer is present at a government-recognized laboratory. We recommend that you begin preparing for this test several months prior to travel.

📄 Electronic pet passports and renewals

The transition from paper pet passports to electronic pet passports (e-Passport) is underway. This is expected to speed up procedures and prevent information leakage. If you are traveling from Japan to the EU, please check the latest passport issuance status and update it accordingly.

🐕 Reconfirmation of quarantine-free travel conditions

The new regulations have added and strengthened quarantine conditions for some countries that were previously quarantine-free. Please check the regulations of your destination country carefully to avoid omitting to prepare the necessary documents.

✈️ What you need to know when your pet travels abroad

• Start preparation for travel at least 3~4 months in advanceThis will allow sufficient time for vaccination and antibody testing.
• Complete microchipping and vaccination by an authorized veterinarian, and be sure to check in advance that the registration information is correct.
• Check the status of passports and required documents for electronic versions and keep them on hand to avoid document loss.
• With the improvement of the transportation environment, pets should be provided with goods and other amenities to make them comfortable during long airplane trips.

🐾 PetAir JPN's overseas pet travel support

PetAir JPN provides specialized pet overseas travel services that are fully compliant with the latest regulations such as this one.
Experienced staff,Confirmation of microchip installation required for EU travel, arrangement of vaccinations, application for antibody testing on behalf of the client, and support for passport and document managementWe provide total support for all of your business needs.

We can also offer transportation plans that prioritize the safety of pets. We support the creation of an environment that reduces the burden on our customers and allows them to travel with their precious pets with peace of mind.
We invite you to contact us and make your pet's overseas travel comfortable and compliant with the latest EU regulations.

📚 Reference Sources

• 2026 EU Pet Travel Regulation Update
• European Commission - Pet Movement Rules