According to Experts.news, Ukrainian citizens planning to travel abroad or return to the country with their pets must prepare veterinary documents in advance, verify that the animal has a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination, and in some cases, also provide the results of an antibody test, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic reported.
As diplomats note, the movement of an animal is considered non-commercial if it is not for the purpose of sale or transfer to another owner. For such trips, the main requirements include identification of the animal via a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, an international veterinary certificate, and a veterinary passport of the prescribed format. Typically, no more than five animals may be transported as part of a non-commercial movement.
Additional requirements must be taken into account for trips from Ukraine to EU countries. As of April 22, 2026, updated rules for the non-commercial movement of pets from third countries will be in effect in the European Union. For Ukraine, the basic requirements have not changed significantly: a dog, cat, or ferret must be microchipped, have a valid rabies vaccination, and, as a rule, a test result confirming sufficient levels of antibodies to the rabies virus.
An important detail concerns the sequence of procedures. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination or on the day of vaccination. At the time of the initial vaccination, the animal must be at least 12 weeks old, and such a vaccination typically becomes valid for travel no earlier than 21 days afterward.
For Ukrainian animals entering the EU, a rabies antibody titer test is required. The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection recommends drawing blood for analysis no earlier than 30 days after vaccination and taking into account the mandatory waiting period of at least 90 days before obtaining the necessary travel documents. The test itself must be conducted in an EU-approved laboratory.
If the test has already yielded a positive result, it does not need to be repeated for each trip, provided that the animal is revaccinated in a timely manner before the previous vaccination expires.
An international veterinary certificate must be obtained before crossing the border. For entry into the EU from a third country, it is valid for 10 days from the date of issuance until the document and identification checks are completed at an official point of entry. After passing inspection, the certificate may be used for further travel within the EU for up to six months or until the rabies vaccination expires—whichever comes first.
When crossing the EU’s external border with an animal, you must do so through state-designated Travellers’ Points of Entry, where authorized services can verify the animal’s documents and identification. Before traveling through Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, or Romania, it is advisable to check in advance whether the chosen border crossing is authorized for entry with pets.
Starting in 2026, another important detail has been introduced. If the animal is accompanied not by the owner but by a person authorized by the owner, the trip may be considered non-commercial only if the owner crosses the border no more than five days before or after the animal. A written declaration must be attached to the documents. Otherwise, stricter rules governing the commercial transport of animals may apply.
Ukraine has also changed the format of the veterinary passport. A new template, approved by Order No. 1366 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy dated February 28, 2025, has been in effect since March 1, 2026. However, previously issued veterinary passports remain valid and do not need to be replaced.
The veterinary passport is issued by a state or authorized veterinarian after examining the animal and entering information regarding its identification, vaccinations, and other necessary preventive measures. For now, this document is issued in paper form in Ukraine.
Specific requirements may vary depending on the country of destination. For example, to import dogs into Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland, and Norway, additional treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is required, administered by a veterinarian within the specified time frame prior to entry.
A veterinary inspection is also conducted when the animal returns to Ukraine. Only clinically healthy animals accompanied by the owner or an authorized person and meeting the established requirements are permitted for import. Requirements regarding identification, vaccination, and veterinary documentation apply to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Separate rules apply to animals under 16 weeks of age.
If more than five dogs, cats, or ferrets are being transported, such a trip may be considered non-commercial only in certain cases—for example, to participate in exhibitions, competitions, or training sessions. In such cases, the animals must be older than six months, and the owner must confirm their registration for the relevant event.
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection recommends starting to prepare for travel with a pet several months in advance, especially if the animal has not yet received a rabies vaccination or undergone a laboratory antibody test. It is essential to check the specific rules for both the country of first entry and the final destination, as they may vary depending on the route, species, and age of the animal.
Source: Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic, State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, European Commission.
