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How old must a puppy or kitten be to fly? (EU and USA rules)

Last updated: September 9, 2026 — verified against official sources.

The minimum age for pet travel is not an airline whim, it is set by the rabies rules of the destination. The EU and the USA apply different floors: 15 weeks for the EU, 6 months for the USA. Plan the adoption date around them, because neither rule can be rushed.

EU route12 weeksEarliest age for the rabies vaccination in the EU process

EU route+ 21 daysMandatory wait after the shot before entry is allowed

EU arrival15 weeksEarliest legal arrival in the EU for puppies and kittens

USA route6 monthsCDC minimum age at entry to the United States, no exception

EU: 15 weeks minimum

The EU floor comes from two stacked requirements. The rabies vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and entry is not allowed until 21 days after the vaccination. Add the two and the earliest legal arrival is 15 weeks. A puppy vaccinated at 12 weeks exactly can arrive from week 15; if the vaccine is given later, the arrival date moves with it. Kittens follow the same rule.

USA: 6 months minimum (CDC)

The CDC requires every dog entering the United States to be at least 6 months old, as part of the Dog Import Form process that applies since August 2024. There is no vaccination shortcut around it: the age is checked at entry. Dogs coming from the EU or the UK (low-risk countries) still need the CDC form, and the 6-month floor applies to them too.

Why the ages matter for planning

Adoption timing: count back from your travel date. For the EU, the puppy must be 12 weeks at the vaccination, then 21 days pass. For the USA, the dog must already be 6 months on arrival day.
Two deadlines, not one: the EU health certificate is valid only 10 days, and the rabies shot must stay valid. A puppy's first rabies shot at 12 weeks usually needs a booster within the year, so check the certificate's validity period on travel day.
Airlines add their own floors: most carriers require puppies to be at least 8 weeks old, and some raise it for long international flights. Confirm with the airline before booking.

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Related guides France United States (entry) CDC Dog Import Form EU health certificate United Kingdom

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age to take a puppy to the EU?

15 weeks. The rabies vaccine can be given at 12 weeks minimum, then a 21-day wait applies before entry, which puts the earliest arrival at 15 weeks.

What is the minimum age for a dog entering the USA?

6 months, set by the CDC. Puppies younger than 6 months cannot use the CDC Dog Import Form process.

Can I fly with a kitten under 15 weeks to the EU?

No. Kittens follow the same EU rules as puppies: at least 15 weeks old on arrival, with the same rabies timing.

Do airlines have their own puppy age limits?

Yes, most airlines set their own minimum age for cabin and cargo travel, typically 8 weeks for domestic flights and sometimes more for international. Check with your carrier.

Transit counts: the EU minimum age applies to the country of arrival, and the USA age applies even if you are only transiting the USA. Both rules are checked on the ground.

Official sources

US CDC dog import rules: cdc.gov/importation/dogs.html
European Commission — pet movement: food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets_en
USDA APHIS pet travel: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel