Veterinary certificate for domestic animals entering the EU
A new European Union regulation 998\2003\CE regulating the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, etc.) in the European Union Member States is effective as of October 2, 2004.
According to this new regulation, all pets introduced in Italy or in any other European Union Member State from the United States, must obtain a European veterinary certificate. The new format of the certificate has been approved by the Commission Decision 2011/874/EC on December 15, 2011.
The document foresees that pet animals:
- Should be identifiable by a clearly readable tattoo or an electronic identification system (transponder/microchip), which provides the pet owner’s name and address;
- Have a valid vaccination against rabies.
No tick or echinococcus preventive treatments are required to introduce pets in Italy from third countries. For animals coming specifically from the United States (Annex II, Section C of the 998\2003\EC regulation) rabies serological test is not necessary. Information regarding this regulation and the European Veterinary certificate are also published on the web site of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Passengers may enter Italy with a maximum of five pets among the following list:
• birds (small birds with the exception of parrots – see below),
• dogs, cats, fish (small size),
• common frogs,
• common reptiles,
• rodents (except rabbits and hares),
• common lizards and green lizards,
• small turtles.
Pets can enter Italy only if accompanied by their owner/s and if they have a valid health certificate issued by a certified veterinarian in the country of origin. The issue date on the certificate should not exceed 30 days prior the departure date. The certificate does NOT need to be authenticated or certified by this Consulate General. Passengers may also enter Italy accompanied by a maximum of 2 parrots for the larger species or up to a maximum of 4 parrots for the smaller species as long as they are accompanied by a certificate of origin and health attesting that there were no cases of psittacosis in the last 12 months within a radius of 15 miles from the place of origin.