Bringing your cat from Canada to the EU
Bringing a cat into the European Union from a listed third country is fast: microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old, and an EU animal health certificate issued shortly before entry. No quarantine.
From a listed third country (UK, USA, Canada, Switzerland…): microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and an EU animal health certificate issued within 10 days of entry. No titre test or quarantine. (The tapeworm treatment for Ireland/Finland/Malta applies to dogs only; unlisted countries need a rabies titre + 3-month wait.)
Calculate your deadlines
Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for Canada → European Union.
The 4 steps, in order
1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip
Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination.
2. Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel)
Vaccinate the cat against rabies after the microchip. You must wait at least 21 days after the primary vaccination before entering the EU. Keep it valid until entry.
3. EU animal health certificate
Obtain an EU animal health certificate from an official vet. It must be issued within 10 days before entry into the EU and is valid for onward travel within the EU for up to 4 months.
4. Travel into the EU
Enter through a traveller's point of entry with the health certificate. No quarantine for compliant pets.
From another country?
- cat France → European Union
- cat Switzerland → European Union
- cat Belgium → European Union
- cat Luxembourg → European Union
- cat United States → European Union
- cat United Kingdom → European Union
- cat Germany → European Union
- cat Spain → European Union
- cat Italy → European Union
- cat Netherlands → European Union
- cat Ireland → European Union
- cat Portugal → European Union
Official sources:
Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. The binding conditions are those published by the European Commission and the destination member state. Unlisted countries face additional requirements (rabies titre + 3-month wait). Always confirm with official sources.