Bringing your dog or cat to Italy from the USA in 2026
Last updated: September 6, 2026: verified against official sources (European Commission, USDA APHIS, UK GOV.UK, US CDC).
Italy follows the EU pet travel rules to the letter: and Italian border checks are known to be thorough, so arrive with perfectly dated paperwork. The EU health certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before arrival, and the rabies vaccine must be at least 21 days old. Get both right and entry is smooth, with no quarantine.
Italian border checks are thorough
The EU health certificate has to be dated within 10 days of arrival and the rabies vaccine at least 21 days old. Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa are the main approved entry points for pets from the USA.
Certificate ≤ 10 days
The 4 steps
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785) first: Your pet must be microchipped BEFORE the rabies shot. A vaccination given before the chip does not count.
- Rabies vaccination ≥ 21 days before arrival: The vaccine must be given after the microchip and at least 21 days before entering the EU. It must stay valid on travel day.
- USDA-endorsed EU health certificate ≤ 10 days: A USDA-accredited vet issues the EU health certificate, then USDA APHIS endorses it. Valid 10 days from issue to arrival in the EU.
- Arrive via an approved EU point of entry: Italy designates 58 points of entry (42 airports, 16 ports), which is the largest list in the EU. The list is national, not automatic.
Italy designates 58 entry points, the most in the EU
Italy takes the opposite approach to Sweden. Where Sweden allows two points of entry, Italy designates 58: 42 airports and 16 ports, and the list runs from Alghero and Ancona to Trieste's three port posts. That means a pet can land at small regional airports that would not qualify anywhere else, including Bergamo, Bologna, Pisa, Palermo, Catania and Naples.
The two most used for pets from the USA are Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP), because they take the long-haul cargo and have the veterinary desks. But the list is a national one, so if you are told a small Italian airport is not possible for a pet, check the list before changing the itinerary.
Italy is also the only country in the EU whose list has been updated to the current rules. The Italian Ministry of Health list is dated September 2026 and cites Regulation (EU) 2026/131, the text actually in force. The lists published by Portugal, Ireland, Sweden and others still cite Regulation (EU) 576/2013, which was repealed in April 2026. The entry points themselves remain valid, but it tells you who is keeping their paperwork current.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an import permit for Italy?
No, personal pets (up to 5) entering under EU rules do not need an import permit, only the endorsed health certificate.
Is the tapeworm treatment required for Italy?
No. The countries that require it are Finland, Malta, Ireland and Norway. The UK is not on that list.
Can I fly into any Italian airport?
Italy designates 58 points of entry, 42 airports and 16 ports, so far more airports qualify than in most EU countries. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) are the usual ones for pets from the USA. The full national list is published by the Italian Ministry of Health.
Official sources
- European Commission, travellers' points of entry by member state: food.ec.europa.eu, travellers' points of entry
- European Commission, pet movement: food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en
- USDA APHIS pet travel: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
- US CDC dog import: cdc.gov/importation/dogs.html
- UK GOV.UK: gov.uk/take-pet-abroad