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Bringing your dog from Canada to the EU

Bringing a dog 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.

⏳ Allow 1–1 months
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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. (Entry into Ireland, Finland or Malta also requires a tapeworm treatment for dogs; 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 5 steps, in order

  1. 1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip

    Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination.

  2. 2. Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel)

    Vaccinate the dog 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. 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. 4. Tapeworm treatment (Ireland, Finland, Malta only)

    If your point of entry is Ireland, Finland or Malta, a tapeworm treatment must be given by a vet 24–120 hours before arrival and recorded. Not required for other EU entry points.

  5. 5. Travel into the EU

    Enter through a traveller's point of entry with the health certificate. No quarantine for compliant pets.

From another country?

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.