Moving To Italy With Pets - Globaloptimizer.com

The good news is that in most situations, you may bring your dog, cat, or other pet with you if you’re traveling to Italy. The process takes a few months to complete. Please begin the process at least four months before your departure date.

This guidel will lead you through moving to and maintaining a pet in Italy. This entails gathering the proper papers, complying with the pet travel regulations, and setting up critical documentation after you have arrived in Italy.

Requirements For Bringing A Pet To Italy

If you are from an EU or non-EU country, the regulations for bringing your pet into Italy may differ. However, the following universal guidelines apply to all:

A Microchip

Before July 3, 2011, all dogs, cats, and ferrets must have microchips implanted in them or have a readable tattoo done to identify them. Italy allows microchips that comply with Annex A to ISO Standard 11785, ISO Standard 11784, and AVID 9 and AVID 10.

There are three things you may do if the microchip in your pet does not meet ISO standard 11784:

Bring the appropriate microchip reader.
Ask the EU Port of Entry if they have a reader that can read your pet’s microchip by giving them a call.
Request that your veterinarian inserts an appropriate microchip.

Age

Bringing dogs, cats, and ferrets is not permitted:

Who are younger than 12 weeks old and have not had a rabies vaccination.
Are fewer than 21 days old, between the ages of 12 and 16, and have had the rabies vaccine.

Number

More than five pets cannot be brought at once. You may surpass the limit if your pet competes in exhibits, athletic events, or other activities.

Moving From An EU Nation To Italy With Your Pet

The process is straightforward if you are moving to Italy from an EU nation, Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, or Vatican City.

The following papers are required if you intend to relocate to Italy from an EU nation:

European pet passport, including information on the vaccination, the owner’s contact information, and a description of the animal.
Rabies vaccination that was received at least 21 days before the scheduled trip.
Tattoo or microchip.

Pet Relocation From A Non-EU Nation Ro Italy

Italy’s legislation state that several conditions must be met before importing pets from outside of Europe, including the UK:

The age of your pet must be at least three months.
Vaccinations are required for your pet following microchipping. A vaccination may cost between €25 and €100, depending on your veterinarian and your nation.
If your pet has had a rabies vaccination for the first time, it must wait 21 days before traveling to Italy.
If your pet comes from a nation where rabies is expected, you must wait 30 days following vaccination before administering a “titer test” on them. Your pet can enter Italy for three months following this test.
As long as the booster shot was given before the prior vaccination’s expiration date, there is no waiting period in the case of booster shots.
The name and phone number of the pet’s owner must be included on the pet cage’s label.
Allowing your pet to receive tick or echinococcus therapy is not required.

Ten days before entering Italy, you must complete a declaration form of non-commercial transport saying that you will not sell or transfer your pet if you are traveling with it or within five days of its transit. Your veterinarian must complete the declaration form as well as the health certificate. The veterinarian must have CFIA or USDA approval if you are traveling from the USA or Canada.

Your pet transfer will be regarded as a commercial move if you can’t go on the trip with your pet or if it’s within five days of that date. This implies that you will have to pay more and provide more documentation.

What Happens If You Need to Follow The Requirements?

Suppose you choose to bring your animal companion to Italy without doing so in accordance with the rules. In that case, it will be taken away by Italian customs at the airport and kept in quarantine at a nearby animal shelter.

The length of the quarantine might range from one week to six months, depending on what is necessary for your pet to enter Italy securely. The worst-case scenario is skipping the rabies shot.

Before boarding a flight to Italy with your pet, please double-check all documentation and have everything ready. If you don’t, you risk endangering both your pet and yourself.

Your animal will suffer stress if it is in quarantine for a long time since it won’t have any interaction with the outside world. In addition, it will cost you money.

Which Dog Breeds Are Banned In Italy?

There aren’t any breeds that can’t now travel to Italy. However, according to Italian legislation, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers are prohibited from entering Venice because they are deemed dangerous.

The Rottweiler, Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog, and Brazillian Mastiff are just a few breeds now hazardous in Italy. In certain situations, the owners of these “hazardous” breeds are required to protect the public by:

Walking their pets with a leash at most 1.5 meters.
Ensuring their dog is muzzled and leashed in public spaces, such as on transportation.

Tips For Flying With Your Pet To Italy

Book A Pet-Friendly Flight

Check the airline’s pet policy before making your flight reservations. You should know whether your cat or dog may fly in-cabin (with you) or must be placed in a designated cargo section. Check the breeds and sizes that are permitted as well as the size of the carrier that you will require for flight. The specifications are airline-specific and differ, particularly for cargo kennels for large dogs.

You can only sometimes reserve a space for your pet when purchasing airline tickets online. Therefore, you are strongly advised to contact the airline directly to arrange your reservation for you and your pet. It’s also vital to receive confirmation that your cat or dog is authorized to fly on the same flight as you because certain airlines have a maximum number of pets in an aircraft.

You must follow alternative procedures if you have a dog or cat with a snub nose, such as a bulldog or pug. These kinds of pets are often not permitted on regular flights by airlines. Due to respiratory problems, individuals may experience too much stress during transit and end up having circulation problems or even death.

Train Your Pet To Like The Pet Carrier

Pets must spend most of their trip in a carrier while going to Italy with you. Therefore, your dog or cat must have a good relationship with the carrier. The aim is to make the carrier a secure space where the pet may unwind, eat, and sleep.

One of your pet’s favorite toys can be put inside the carrier. Your pet will feel more secure if it has contact with anything that bears their fragrance.

Your dog or cat may practice traveling in the carrier on a few little excursions. There is no need to travel far. They will become accustomed to the bumps and noises of a moving car if you drive them to the store or around the block a few times.

You should have a carrier that is a little larger if your cat hasn’t been trained to walk on a leash so that it can stretch out.

Prepare For The Airport Security Procedure

As part of airport security, you will need to take your cat outside the carrier to go through the metal detector. The majority of airports let you request a private screening area, so you won’t have to worry about removing your pet from its carrier in a busy area.

A private viewing room won’t be offered in other situations. In this situation, if your pet is prone to anxiety in unfamiliar or noisy settings, it can feel the urge to flee. Even if your cat isn’t taught to walk on a leash, think about purchasing it a harness and a leash so you won’t have to chase it through the airport.

Ask For Relaxing Medication (Only If Necessary)

Ask your veterinarian for calming medicine if you anticipate your pet may be anxious throughout the travel.

Do this a few months before your vacation so you can test them out safely at home. In this manner, you can return to the veterinarian if your pet experiences an adverse response or the prescription is ineffective.

Feed Your Pet At The Right Moment

You should give your pet a bigger supper than usual the night before if your flight is in the morning. Avoid feeding your pet 6 to 9 hours before takeoff to reduce the likelihood of feces or vomiting on the plane.

When you get to Italy, you may find a peaceful area and feed your pet if you have some food. It will be overjoyed and appreciative.

Keep Your Pet In A Safe Place

Before Leaving the House some animals may become anxious and notice something strange happening if they watch you packing or removing their carrier. You can put your cat in a secure location if it prefers to hide when it feels anxious. For instance, in the restroom with a soft blanket or anything such.

In this manner, you will always be aware of your pet’s whereabouts and won’t need to scramble around your apartment in the moments before an airport departure.

Pack Essentials For Your Pet

Along with their meals, bear in mind to include the following items while moving dogs to italy:

Litter and a disposable foil tray: Before boarding the plane, encourage your cat to relax in a calm area of the airport.
Baby wipes: To make cleaning up messes in the event of an emergency simple.
Plastic bags: In case you need to gather any mishaps before disposing of them in a trash can.
Water and food bowl
If your pet needs to use the restroom on the plane, absorbent potty training pads are a lifesaver to prevent an unpleasant odor for you and your fellow travelers.

Check Airport Regulations

Verify whether the airports you will be using are pet-friendly. For instance, some facilities allow you to take your pet outside the carrier as long as they are on a leash, while others include pet relieving spaces.

Prepare For Customs And Immigration

You and your animal companion must go through immigration and customs after landing. Here, you will provide all of your documentation, have your pet inspected, and, ideally, receive approval to enter the nation.

FAQs For Moving To Italy With Pets

How To Transport Your Pets?

You may enter Italy with your pet in one of three ways: by air, by land, or by sea. Double-check the pet policies and charges of the firm you hire if you intend to ship or fly with your pet.

It is feasible to carry your pet by train, but bear in mind that each operator, including Eurostar, Intercity, Wagon-Lit, and Interregional, has different regulations, so it is important to double-check.

In general, tiny animals must be housed in legal cages and are permitted to ride in second-class carriages with their owners. Larger dogs may travel with other passengers, but they must be restrained with a leash and a muzzle.

You should be aware that certain pet-friendly European airlines are flexible regarding flying pets if you want to go to Italy by plane:

Transavia
Air France
Lufthansa
Iberia
Finnair
KLM
Aegean Airways

You might choose to contact a pet-transportation firm if you’re going to transfer many animals. These businesses handle administrative procedures, including EU pet passports, vaccinations, and health certifications, in addition to providing transportation for your dogs. Depending on the service, a professional company’s pet shipping costs might vary, but generally, they fall between €300 and €3,000.

The top 3 pet-transportation businesses are listed below:

Can Pets Ride On Trains In Italy?

Almost all trains allow dogs and other pets. If on a lead and muzzled, they travel for free in a carrier and for half the price of second class.

On all train types, small dogs, cats, or other small pets traveling in containers no more significant than 25.5x12x15.5 inches are transported free of charge in first and second class. Each passenger may bring only one container. The pet carrier and pet must always be on your lap on trains with ETR 450 carriages.

Any size dog is welcome to ride the Espressi (Express), IC, and ICN trains in first and second class (while wearing a muzzle and a leash). Dogs on regional trains must ride in the last carriage or the aisles. The exception is during morning rush hour, which takes place Monday through Friday between 7 and 9 am; during these times, you must purchase a second-class ticket for your dog at a discounted rate of 50% of the usual fee.

Animals must behave appropriately and may not occupy areas designated for other passengers. The train personnel may demand that the owner and animal transfer to another location if one is available or exit the train if any disruption is made to other passengers. Pets are not permitted in the food and beverage wagons.

The only animals permitted in the restaurant/bar wagons are guide dogs for the blind, who are free to board all trains.

Life With Your Pet In Italy

When you finally arrive in Italy, you must take care of the necessary paperwork and become familiar with the laws.

The first thing you must do after arriving in Italy is registered your pet with the anagrafe Degli animals d’affezione, a regional pet registration. For dogs, this is a requirement, and for cats, it is suggested in case they get lost.

After that, you’ll need to update any outdated vaccines for your pet and register it with an Italian veterinarian, who can also add it to the local pet registration.

Guidelines For Pet Ownership In Italy

Italy is a reasonably pet-friendly country. However, certain restrictions must be followed. In most restaurants, dogs are welcome, although a leash must restrain them.

Here are some broad guidelines that each dog’s owner should follow:

In specified dog areas, dogs may be left unattended.
When walking their dogs on the street, owners must use a leash that is at most 1.50 meters.
Always keep a muzzle on you if someone or something else’s safety is in danger. It is required to be used on public transportation.
Keep a dog hygiene kit on you for proper feces disposal.
Bring a bottle of water to spray over the dog’s urine.
Only persons who can handle the dog should walk it.
It is essential to understand the anthropological and physical traits of your dog.

Conclusion

This concludes the step-by-step instructions for migrating to Italy with pets. We hope this tutorial has helped you better understand how you may bring your pet to Italy. We wish you success in your relocation!