What Has Changed in the EU's Pet Travel Regulations?
On April 22, 2026, new rules went into effect regarding the movement of pets within the EU. The central piece of legislation is the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. The Implementing Regulation ((EU) 2026/705) and the Regulation on the List of Countries ((EU) 2026/636) have also come into effect. These regulations replace the previous Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 (Source: Official Website of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture(as of July 2026). This regulation applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets and serves as a basic set of rules common to all EU member states.
The documents and requirements that pet owners must prepare individually—such as microchipping, rabies vaccinations, and animal health certificates—have not changed significantly from before. On the other hand, the EU has stated that the aim of this amendment is to strengthen controls and improve traceability in order to prevent illegal trade (Source: Official Website of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture(Last updated July 2026). This article focuses on what pet owners should check in practice.
Three Basic Points to Keep in Mind First
- New regulations have been in effect since April 22, 2026. These include microchips, rabies vaccinations, animal health certificates, etc.,The documents and requirements that pet owners need to prepare have not changed significantly.
- The rabies vaccine isOn or after the day of microchip implantationYou must receive the vaccination. If you receive the vaccination before the microchip is implanted, that vaccination may be deemed invalid upon entry.
- When traveling from Japan,Animal Health CertificateYou must obtain [...]. (Please refer to the main text for details on the application process.) Depending on your destination,Echinococcus Deworming (Dogs Only)...will also be required
Why Is the "Order" of Microchipping and Vaccination Important?
EU regulations stipulate that the date of the rabies vaccination must be the same as or later than the date the microchip was implanted. If the vaccination was administered before the microchip was implanted, the vaccination may be deemed invalid upon entry (Source: European Commission Official Website: “Bringing Your Pet into the EU”(Date of confirmation: July 2026). There is no problem if the microchip is implanted and the vaccination is administered on the same day.
This rule itself is not new under the recent amendment; it has been carried over from the previous regulations. Since the order of vaccinations may vary depending on the veterinary clinic in Japan, it is advisable for those planning to travel to check their dog’s or cat’s vaccination history beforehand. Additionally, tattoos applied before July 3, 2011, may be accepted as an alternative means of identification to a microchip if they meet certain conditions, such as being clearly legible. Please check in advance with the veterinarian issuing the certificate or on the European Commission’s official website to confirm whether your pet’s tattoo qualifies.
What documents are required when entering the EU from Japan?
If you are bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, including Japan, you will need an Official Animal Health Certificate. Since the procedures for obtaining this certificate may vary depending on factors such as the veterinarian’s qualifications and the involvement of the authorities, please check with your veterinarian or the European Commission’s official website for details on the issuing authority and the necessary procedures. The certificate must include the following information (Source: European Commission Official Website(Verified July 2026).
In addition, you must prepare and carry a declaration stating that this movement is for non-commercial purposes. Since this form is different from the animal health certificate, be sure to check the European Commission’s official website or consult the veterinarian you’ve engaged in advance—including who is responsible for preparing the document.
Although certificates have a specified validity period, the exact duration must be confirmed based on the timing and circumstances of your trip; therefore, it is not listed in this article. Please check the latest requirements with the veterinarian issuing the certificate or on the European Commission’s official website.
Which countries require Echinococcus deworming? (Dogs only)
For dogs only, deworming treatment for Echinococcus (multicystic tapeworm) is required when entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland. This requirement does not apply to cats or ferrets (Source: European Commission Official Website(Verified July 2026).
| (data) item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Target Countries and Regions | Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Northern Ireland |
| Target Animals | Dogs only (cats and ferrets are excluded) |
| Timing of Treatment | 24 to 120 hours before arrival (1 to 5 days before) |
| implementor | Performed by a licensed veterinarian, with records kept |
Source: European Commission Official Website: “Bringing Your Pet into the EU”, Last updated July 2026. The list of eligible countries and regions is current as of the time of this article. Be sure to check that page for the latest list of eligible regions and requirements before traveling.
Why not check what you need in your specific situation?
Please let us know your destination and planned departure date.
Here is a summary of the required documents and the preparation schedule.
Is a rabies antibody titer test necessary?
Whether this is required depends on whether the country of origin is listed on the EU’s designated list (Annexes I and II, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636). For travel from countries not listed on the designated list, a rabies antibody titer test is required. The standard is an antibody titer of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. The blood sample must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days prior to the date of issuance of the animal health certificate (Source: European Commission Official Website(Last updated July 2026). You can also find other detailed requirements, such as the criteria for designating testing organizations, on that page.
The contents of this list may be updated as a result of a review of the target countries. To determine whether an antibody test is required for travel from Japan, be sure to check the European Commission’sCountries List PagePlease check there for the latest publication status.
Are there any changes planned for the future?
Please note that some of the travel rules explained in this article—such as the list of countries—may be reviewed or amended in the future. Please check the European Commission’s official website periodically for the latest information. Separately, there are regulations regarding the “welfare and traceability” of dogs and cats, which include a system for digital registration prior to travel. This is a separate legislative process from the travel regulations discussed here (effective April 22, 2026).
This regulation was formally adopted by the European Parliament at its plenary session on April 28, 2026, and by the European Council on May 22, 2026 (Source: European Parliament Legislative Train Schedule(as of July 2026). The regulations will take effect following publication in the Official Journal, and many provisions are expected to become effective around 2028. While immediate action is not required, please check the official announcements from the European Commission and the European Parliament for the exact effective dates.
What preparations should I make before departure?
In addition to the requirements of your destination country, you’ll also need to complete the export procedures in Japan at the same time. Please proceed with your preparations in the following order.
Consult a veterinarian as soon as possible
We will confirm the order of microchip implantation and vaccinations, and discuss any additional steps that may be necessary.
If applicable, schedule treatment for Echinococcus.
Dogs traveling to the destination country must undergo deworming treatment by a certified veterinarian between 24 and 120 hours prior to entry.
Request for Issuance of an Animal Health Certificate
Have your veterinarian fill out the animal identification information, vaccination records, and other details. Since the process of issuing the certificate may not be completed simply by requesting it from your veterinarian, be sure to check with your veterinarian or the European Commission’s official website to confirm the necessary procedures and the issuing authority. Since the declaration for non-commercial purposes uses a different form from the certificate, please check the official website to confirm who is responsible for preparing each document. Be sure to make your request well in advance.
Up to 14 days before the desired inspection date: Apply for the export inspection in Japan
quarantine station for animalsSubmit an application via NACCS (an online system for animal quarantine-related procedures) to schedule an inspection time (Source: Animal Quarantine Service; verified July 2026).
Within 10 days of departure: Undergo an export inspection
The animals undergo export inspections at the Animal Quarantine Station and are issued an export quarantine certificate (Source: Animal Quarantine Station; verified July 2026).
Day of Departure: Check-in
You must submit a complete set of documents, including animal health certificates and export quarantine certificates. Since the submission destination and timing vary depending on the method of transport (checked baggage, cargo, etc.) and the airline you are using, be sure to check the airline’s guidelines in advance.
What are some common mistakes and things to watch out for?
Checklist for Preparing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
summary
The EU pet travel regulations that took effect on April 22, 2026, do not represent a major change in the documents or requirements that pet owners must prepare; rather, they reorganize multiple existing regulations into a set of common rules for all EU member states. At the same time, the EU has stated that the aim of this amendment is to strengthen controls and improve traceability in order to prevent illegal trade. For this reason, it is important for your peace of mind to complete each individual requirement—such as microchipping, the order of vaccinations, the contents of the animal health certificate, and whether echinococcosis deworming or antibody titer testing is required for your specific destination—well in advance.
If you'd like to learn more about the basics of the rabies vaccine,Vaccine Explanatory ArticlePlease see this as well.
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Written by: PetAirJPN Editorial Department (International Pet Transportation Operations Team)
*The information in this article is current as of July 2026. Quarantine regulations in various countries and airline policies are subject to change without notice. This article is intended to provide general information only; to determine whether travel is permitted and to confirm specific requirements, please be sure to check the latest official information from the relevant national authorities, animal quarantine offices, and airlines.
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