Bringing your dog from Ecuador to the EU
Bringing a dog into the European Union from a non-listed country (Brazil, Colombia, Peru…) takes longer: microchip, rabies vaccination, then a rabies antibody blood test (RNATT) and a mandatory 3-month wait before an EU animal health certificate can be issued. No quarantine if done correctly.
From a NON-LISTED country the extra step is decisive: after the rabies vaccination, a blood sample for the rabies antibody titration (RNATT) must be taken at least 30 days later, sent to an EU-approved lab, and show ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. You then cannot enter the EU until at least 90 days (3 months) after that blood sample date. Skip or mistime it and your dog is refused at the border. Plan around 4–5 months total.
Calculate your deadlines
Enter your travel date: we work back in time to give you the deadline for each step, personalised for Ecuador → European Union.
The 7 steps, in order
1. Implant an ISO-compliant microchip
Have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination.
2. Rabies vaccination (before the blood test)
Vaccinate the dog against rabies after the microchip. From a non-listed country this vaccination is what the later blood test measures — it must be done and kept valid.
3. Rabies antibody titration test (RNATT) + 3-month wait
At least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, an official vet draws a blood sample and sends it to an EU-approved laboratory. The result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. You may only enter the EU 3 months (90 days) after the blood-sample date.
4. EU animal health certificate
Once the 3-month wait is satisfied, obtain an EU animal health certificate from an official vet. It must be issued within 10 days before entry and records the microchip, vaccination and the RNATT result.
5. 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.
6. Book transport (air or car)
Arrange your pet's journey in advance. This date is a comfortable recommendation, not a hard deadline.
7. Travel into the EU
Enter through a traveller's point of entry with the health certificate and lab report. No quarantine for compliant pets.
From another country?
- dog France → European Union
- dog Switzerland → European Union
- dog Belgium → European Union
- dog Luxembourg → European Union
- dog Canada → European Union
- dog United States → European Union
- dog United Kingdom → European Union
- dog Germany → European Union
- dog Spain → European Union
- dog Italy → European Union
- dog Netherlands → European Union
- dog Ireland → European Union
- dog Portugal → European Union
- dog Mexico → European Union
- dog Argentina → European Union
- dog Chile → European Union
- dog Brazil → European Union
- dog Colombia → European Union
- dog Peru → European Union
Official sources:
- European Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country
- European Commission — Non-commercial movement from non-EU countries
- European Commission — Rabies & approved laboratories
- European Commission — Travellers' points of entry
Pawscleared provides preparation guidance based on official sources. The binding conditions are those published by the European Commission and the destination member state under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636. Non-listed countries require a rabies antibody titration (RNATT) ≥ 0.5 IU/ml and a 3-month wait. Always confirm exact dates with an official vet.