Traveling from the United States to Europe is hard on pets as well as humans, and requires a great deal of expensive paperwork. If your trip is short, it may be best to leave your dog with a trusted caregiver. On a longer trip, however, you may find that the companionship is worth the trouble. Europe is generally pet-friendly, and traveling between European Union (EU) countries with a pet is fairly simple.
The EU requires that all pets entering the country follow strict health certification guidelines. You must have your dog micro-chipped with an approved 11784 or 11785 Annex A microchip before the health certification process begins. Other types of microchips are acceptable if you provide your own scanner for authorities to use. Your dog must then receive an inactivated rabies vaccine and a full health exam. Vaccines given before the microchip is implanted do not qualify. Your vet must document all results on an official health certificate, available for download at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.
Each airline has its own regulations for transporting animals. The USDA requires that pets be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before flying. Some airlines allow small dogs to travel in the aircraft cabin, while others allow pets to travel in the cargo compartment. For cargo transport, you must use a hard-sided airline-approved pet carrier of appropriate size. Your pet may be refused boarding if the carrier does not meet airline regulations. Expect a pet fee that may be upwards of $100.
Pet Health and Comfort
Pets, like humans, are most comfortable in the aircraft cabin, but taking them onboard is not always possible. If your dog will travel in the cargo compartment, USDA regulations require you to feed the animal no more than four hours before the flight. You must provide written certification of the feeding time and empty food and water bowls for staff to feed your pet if needed.
Travel on a day with moderate weather. Animals are not permitted to fly in the cargo area if the weather is predicted to be above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures of 20 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit require certification from a vet that the dog is acclimated to extreme weather.
Some countries, including the United Kingdom and Finland, have additional requirements beyond those of the EU. Depending on your destination, your dog may require additional certifications such as treatment for ticks and tapeworms. For some countries, the health certificate must be stamped by a representative of the USDA. Check the APHIS website for the latest regulations at your destination.