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The United States doesn’t issue pet passports. When people say “pet passport,” they usually mean the set of documents a dog or cat needs to enter another country: a microchip, a rabies vaccination record and a health certificate in the destination’s format, signed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA APHIS. For a US pet, that paperwork typically costs $250 to $900 and takes three weeks to several months, depending on the country.
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What is an EU pet passport?
The EU pet passport is a booklet issued by vets in EU countries. It records the pet’s microchip, rabies vaccinations and other treatments, and lets the pet travel between EU countries without a new certificate each time.
Since April 22, 2026, EU pet passports can be issued only to owners whose main home is in the EU, and border checks may ask for proof of residence. If you live in the US, plan on a health certificate for each trip instead, even if your pet already has an EU passport from an earlier stay.
What US pets need to enter the EU
- Microchip. An ISO-compliant chip (usually 15 digits), implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccine. A vaccine given before the chip doesn’t count.
- Rabies vaccination. Given after the microchip, at no younger than 12 weeks old. Wait at least 21 days after a first vaccination before you enter the EU. A booster given before the old vaccine expires has no wait.
- EU health certificate. Completed by a USDA-accredited vet, then endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the EU. New EU certificate forms took effect on October 1, 2026, so make sure your vet uses the current version.
- Tapeworm treatment (some countries). Dogs going to Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway need a tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before arrival.
See our full guide to taking a dog to Europe. The non-commercial certificate covers up to five pets traveling with you or someone you name. Your pet must enter the EU within 10 days of the USDA endorsement; it then covers travel between EU countries for up to 6 months from the day you enter, as long as the rabies vaccination stays valid.
What US pets need to enter the UK
The UK left the EU pet passport system in 2021 and runs its own rules for Great Britain. Our UK pet travel guide covers them in full:
- Microchip, then a rabies vaccine at least 21 days before arrival.
- A Great Britain pet health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of arrival.
- For dogs, a tapeworm treatment given 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before arrival, recorded by the vet.
- Most dogs and cats must arrive as cargo on an approved airline and route, not in the cabin. Assistance dogs are the main exception.
Other countries
Every country sets its own rules. Mexico and Canada are simple for pets from the US. Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, which are rabies-free, require a rabies blood test (titer) and waiting periods that can run six months or more. USDA APHIS publishes a page for each country with the current steps and forms. Start there, and start early.
How much does a pet passport cost?
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Microchip, if your pet doesn’t have one | $25 to $75 |
| Rabies vaccination | $15 to $50 |
| Vet exam and health certificate | $150 to $600 |
| USDA APHIS endorsement | $101 to $275, by number of tests |
| Rabies titer test (rabies-free countries) | $200 to $400 |
| Tapeworm treatment (UK and some EU countries) | $20 to $60 |
A trip to most EU countries comes to about $250 to $700 per pet in paperwork. Add airline fees, a carrier and, for the UK, cargo costs. The pet flight cost calculator builds the whole estimate.
How to get your pet’s travel papers: step by step
- Look up your destination on the USDA APHIS pet travel site and note every requirement and deadline.
- Find a USDA-accredited vet. Not every vet is accredited, and only accredited vets can sign international health certificates.
- Microchip, then vaccinate. If your pet’s chip went in after its current rabies shot, it needs a new rabies shot and, for a first vaccination, a new 21-day wait.
- Do any blood tests early. Rabies-free destinations require a titer test and long waits.
- Book the final vet visit within the window your destination allows, usually 10 days before arrival.
- Get the USDA endorsement. Your vet submits the certificate online. Electronic endorsement usually takes a few business days.
- Travel with the originals. Carry the signed and endorsed certificate, the rabies certificate and your airline confirmation.
For the US side of this process, see our pet health certificate guide.
Coming back to the US
Plan the return before you leave. Under CDC rules, every dog entering the US must be at least 6 months old, be microchipped and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs that have been in a country with a high risk of dog rabies in the past 6 months need extra documents, some of which must be completed in the US before you leave. Cats don’t need CDC paperwork, but some states and airlines require a rabies certificate.
Pet passport FAQ
Can I get a pet passport in the US?
No. The US doesn’t issue pet passports. US pets travel on a health certificate for each country, endorsed by USDA APHIS.
Can a US resident get an EU pet passport?
No, not since April 22, 2026. EU pet passports are now issued only to owners who live in the EU.
How long does a pet passport take?
For the EU, about three to four weeks if your pet needs a new rabies vaccine, because of the 21-day wait. For rabies-free countries such as Japan or Australia, six months or more.
How long is an EU health certificate valid?
Your pet must enter the EU within 10 days of the USDA endorsement. After that, it covers up to 6 months of travel between EU countries.
Does my cat need a pet passport?
Cats need the same documents as dogs to enter the EU and UK, apart from the tapeworm treatment, which is for dogs only.
Country and paperwork guides: pet move timeline (free tool) · Hawaii · Canada · Mexico · Puerto Rico · Europe · the UK · CDC dog import rules · rabies titer test · international relocation · ground transport
