Heading to the Croatian coast with your dog? Planning a trip to Finland with your cat? If your holiday plans include a four-legged companion, you’ll need to brush up on the pet travel rules, which vary depending on your destination.

Across the EU, the basic requirements are the same: dogs, cats (and ferrets) must have a pet passport, microchip, and valid rabies vaccination. But beyond those essentials, specific countries add their entry conditions, and missing even one could cost you up to 50,000 CZK in fines or leave your pet stuck at the border.

Planning a trip to a third country (like the UK, U.S., or Turkey)? Things get trickier. Each country sets its own rules, and re-entry into the EU often requires proof of rabies antibody levels (a rabies titer test) if you’re coming back from a high-risk country. This test must be done by an approved lab and can take several weeks, so plan ahead.

Failing to meet return requirements could mean quarantine or fines. Some countries may also require import permits, health certificates, or even temporary pet isolation upon arrival.

Pet passports in the Czech Republic are issued by over 3,000 certified vets, and getting one may require a vet appointment.

“Every summer, we see people showing up last minute and leaving disappointed,” said Petra Šinová, president of the Czech Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons. “Issuing a passport, vaccination, and microchip all take time, don’t leave it until the week before your trip.”

In 2024, vets issued around 72,000 pet passports for Czech pets — slightly fewer than before the pandemic, but still a significant number.

“Even within the EU, small rule differences can mean big problems if you’re not prepared,” says  Šinová. You can read the comprehensive rules and guidelines about traveling with pets from the Czech Veterinary Authority here.