Moving a pet to Italy from the USA
Harmonised entry: microchip, active rabies vaccination and an endorsed international health certificate.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | Ministero della Salute |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 1–2 months |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | No |
| Import permit | No |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 0 days |
| Microchip mandate | ISO chip before rabies vaccination |
| Primary failure point | Health certificate endorsement lapsing outside the 10-day arrival window. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
- 1
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip before any rabies vaccination.
- 2
Give the rabies vaccination after the microchip is in place — a vaccine given first is legally invalid.
- 3
Wait 21 days from the primary rabies vaccination before the pet can enter.
- 4
No rabies antibody titer test is required: the United States is a listed low-risk third country.
- 5
Have a USDA-accredited (Category II) veterinarian complete the non-commercial EU Health Certificate for Italy and submit it through VEHCS.
- 6
USDA APHIS endorsement must be dated within 10 days of arrival in the EU.
Breed & airline warnings
No national breed ban, but municipalities may require muzzles and liability insurance for larger guarding breeds.
Airline brachycephalic cargo embargoes still apply on US–Italy routes.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed →
Your Italy timeline
Plan backwards
Complexity: Standard
Lead time: 1–2 months
Governing body: Ministero della Salute
Quarantine: 0 days
- T−45d
Book flights and IATA-compliant crate
Confirm carrier acceptance, crate sizing and any brachycephalic or breed embargoes on the routing.
- T−40d
Microchip + records review
Implant an ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip and confirm every vaccination record post-dates it.
- T−33d
Rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccine administered after the microchip — a vaccine given first is legally invalid.
- T−10d
USDA-accredited vet exam + health certificate
Category II accredited veterinarian completes the certificate and submits it via VEHCS.
- T−7d
USDA APHIS endorsement
Endorsement within 10 days of arrival for non-commercial moves, or within 48 hours of departure for commercial moves.
- T−3d
Parasite treatments and final checks
Tapeworm or parasite treatments given inside the destination's required window, recorded by the vet.
- Day 0
Departure day
Check-in as cargo, checked baggage or in-cabin per the booked service.