Moving to Italy? How to take your pets with you

How to Move Your Pets from the U.K. to Italy: A Complete Guide

Moving internationally is never a small task, especially when you have furry family members to consider. Whether you’re relocating for work, a new adventure, or retirement, ensuring your pets travel safely and legally is a top priority. If you’re planning to move your pets from the U.K. to Italy, there are a number of important steps and regulations to follow to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your pets.

As someone who has both travelled in a van across Europe with my dogs and moved to Italy with them, I'll walk you through the essential steps for relocating your pets from the U.K. to Italy, from vaccinations to travel options, and everything in between.

Step 1: Ensure Your Pet Meets the EU’s Import Requirements

Even though the U.K. is no longer part of the European Union, you can still bring your dog(s) to Italy from the U.K., but there are specific rules you need to follow. The first step is to make sure your pet meets the EU’s pet import requirements. These include:

1. Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. Make sure your pet’s microchip is registered with up-to-date contact details.

2. Rabies Vaccination: Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination should be administered at least 21 days before travel. If your pet is a puppy or kitten under 12 weeks old, they won’t be eligible to travel until they are at least 12 weeks old and have received the rabies vaccine.

3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC): Your pet will need an AHC in order to leave the U.K. and enter the E.U. Most vets will issue these for you but as they are quite a lengthy document, the charges can be in excess of £200 per dog. I have personally always used https://animalhealthcertificate.online/ who are conveniently situated in Folkestone and are very reasonably priced. You complete their form online and collect the AHC on the date you request (please ensure you leave enough time for them to process it). As a side note, ensure you input the country of entry into the EU on the form which won't be Italy if you're driving, as I catch Le Shuttle, mine is always France. When collecting, they will check the microchip on your dog with the details you provided and send you on your way. I have always been in and out within 5 minutes and never had any issues. Once collected, I then head straight to Le Shuttle terminal ready for my crossing.

4. Tapeworm Treatment (for Dogs): This only applies when/if you return to the U.K. with your dogs. A vet will need to administer the tapeworm treatment and record it on your AHC. The treatment must be administered a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 120 hours before arriving into Great Britain. This is very important and will be checked. Fortunately, there are lots of E.U. vets very familiar with this process and are happy to help. My local vets in Porlezza https://maps.app.goo.gl/4djKpzhACY7HtSeT8 is fabulous and never charges me (I do give him a nice bottle of red wine as a thank you though).

Step 2: Get Your Pet Ready for Travel

Once you’ve ensured that all the health requirements are in place, the next step is preparing your pet for the journey. Depending on your pet's size, health, and temperament, you’ll need to choose the right travel arrangements.

1. Travel by Air: This isn't something I have personally researched as I've always driven, however, it might be your only option if travelling from further afield than the U.K. But unless you have a small dog that may be permitted as a carry-on, there's a bit of extra work required in ensuring the correct crates for the hold etc.

2. Travel by Car: If you’re planning to drive from the U.K. to Italy, which can be a 1,000-mile journey depending on your route, make sure your pet is comfortable for the long trip. Have a secure carrier/harness for your pet in the car, take breaks for exercise and bathroom needs, and bring plenty of food, water, and any comfort items to reduce travel stress. I'm fortunate that both of my dogs have always travelled well so they pretty much sleep the entire journey, and take the constant change of scenery in their stride. I take their beds and secure them with a harness, and stick to the same food/toilet routine we have at home.

3. Sedation (if needed): Some pets, especially those with anxiety or motion sickness, may benefit from mild sedation for travel. Consult your veterinarian before using sedatives or anti-anxiety medications to ensure they are safe for your pet and comply with the travel rules.

4. Comfort Items: Bring along familiar items like your pet’s bed, blanket, or favourite toy to help them feel at ease during the journey. This will provide some comfort amidst the change.

Step 3: Book Your Travel

When booking your pet’s journey, whether by air, ferry, or road, there are several things to consider:

1. Flying with Your Pet: Many airlines offer pet transport services, either in the cabin or in the cargo hold, depending on the size and weight of your pet. Make sure you contact the airline well in advance, as there are often limits on how many pets can fly on each flight.

2. Ferry or Train Travel: If you’re travelling by ferry or train, check the specific pet travel rules for the ferry or train company. Some companies allow pets to travel in the cabin, while others may require them to travel in a designated pet area. I've briefly looked into travelling on a ferry but the dog cabins are scarce and get booked up very quickly so if you want to do this, book as far in advance as possible.

3. Driving: Driving from the U.K. across the channel on Le Shuttle, is my personal experience. Whilst I had hired cars and driven abroad before, I had never driven my van across from England to Italy, until I did my first road trip with the dogs (see more about that here). I do love flying, but I also really love the drive too. I find the whole experience at the terminals quick and easy, and it is so much better having your own vehicle that the dogs can stay settled in. On arrival, you go directly to the pet reception, where they check the AHC and microchip (which has never taken more than 5 minutes), and then you are free to explore the terminal, which has some shops, cafes and duty-free. Once it's time for boarding, you remain in your vehicle to go through U.K. and then French passport control before driving onto the 'train'. Sit back and relax for the 35-minute journey and then drive straight off the train to the main road. France is a dream to drive through with lots of aires to stop at (there are normally at least toilets, fresh water and bins), with pretty quiet roads and polite drivers. Since that first trip, I have also taken alternative routes through Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium- all of which have been a breeze.

   If you're nervous to drive over, don't be! It's great fun, easy and you have the freedom to stop whenever you want :)

   Note: You can avoid the toll roads but they can save time, I use the Tollbird box which allows you to take the fast lane through the tolls and it then charges your card each month. Trust me, it's worth having as it saves lots of time and potential stress figuring out each toll.

4. Travel Agencies: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the logistics, there are specialised pet relocation agencies that can manage the entire process for you. These agencies can assist with paperwork, book travel, and ensure your pet meets all the necessary regulations.

Step 4: Arriving in Italy

Once you’ve arrived in Italy, there are a few final steps to make sure your pet is fully settled:

1. Registering with a Vet: It's always worth researching your local vets and registering with them, as well as finding out the details of an emergency vet so that you don't have the stress of trying to do this if something were to happen. They will also be able to advise you on flea and worming treatments etc.

2. Registration: In some Italian regions, pets must be registered with local authorities. Be sure to check the specific requirements for the area in which you’ll be living. As I discovered, this isn't done through the local vet but the ATS. You can find out more details here, or do drop me a message if you're at this stage as I can send you a document giving more details :)

3. EU Pet Passport: Ahhh the coveted document that means no more need for an AHC every time you travel with your dog! I have tried getting one but they won't issue it without my actual residency card (which takes a few months to get). I have a list of what is required for this though so do message me and I can send you a checklist so that you're prepared for the application once you are a resident.

Final thoughts...

Italy is a VERY dog-friendly country. I am stopped constantly whilst walking as people want to say hello and stroke them. They are also allowed EVERYWHERE apart from some museums and ancient tourist attractions. If your dog can fit into a carry bag, they'll even be allowed in the supermarket.

This is still a culture shock for me coming from the U.K.; it still feels strange walking into a clothes shop with them! The general rule here is, dogs are allowed in, unless there is a sign saying they can't. I still ask out of habit! Lol.

Hopefully this has been useful for you, if there's anything I haven't covered, or you'd like to know more about, please message me or drop me an email to hello@debsthorpe.com

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