If you are relocating a pet from Denmark to Italy, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. Allow around 1-2 weeks. The requirements are modest compared with stricter …
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Must be current and recorded …
Rabies titre testNot required for intra-EU movements.
QuarantineNo quarantine for EU-compliant pets …
Import permitNot required for intra-EU pet movements.
Health certificateEU Pet Passport issued by an authorised …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Denmark to Italy
typically takes around 1-2 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Check microchip record and rabies vaccination expiry date well before travel.
Confirm EU Pet Passport is valid and vaccinations are current
Responsible: Your authorised veterinarian
2
Book as early as possible. Cabin pet spaces are limited and fill quickly.
Book flight with confirmed cabin or cargo pet space
Responsible: You
3
Cabin pets: 2 hours before departure. Cargo: 3 hours before departure.
Travel day: arrive with EU Pet Passport, present at check-in
Responsible: You + airline check-in
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Must be current and recorded in the EU Pet Passport. Minimum age 12 weeks.
Rabies titre test
Not required for intra-EU movements.
Quarantine
No quarantine for EU-compliant pets travelling with a valid EU Pet Passport.
Import permit
Not required for intra-EU pet movements.
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport issued by an authorised vet in Denmark is the required document.
Export permit
Not required. Intra-EU pet movement.
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport is the required travel document for intra-EU movements. Issued by an authorised veterinarian in Denmark.
"
We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Denmark to Italy move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Cabin: SAS accepts small pets in cabin on European routes including Italy. CPH-FCO or CPH-MXP connections available. Confirm routing and cabin pet availability at booking.
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Cabin: small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) in cabin on CPH-FRA-FCO or CPH-FRA-MXP routing. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo.
Cabin and Cargo
Alitalia / ITA Airways
Cabin and cargo: ITA Airways (successor to Alitalia) accepts small pets in cabin. Connects from European hubs to Italian cities. Confirm current pet policy and routing.
Cabin and Cargo
Ryanair
Cabin: Ryanair operates multiple CPH to Italy routes and accepts small cabin pets on many European flights. Low-cost option. Confirm pet policy at booking.
Cabin and Cargo
easyJet
Cabin: easyJet accepts cabin pets on European routes. Copenhagen to Italian destinations available. Confirm availability and weight limits.
Cabin and Cargo
Norwegian
Cabin: Norwegian accepts small pets in cabin on European routes. CPH hub connects to Italian destinations. Confirm current pet policy.
Cabin and Cargo
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cabin fee (intra-EU carrier cabin pet fees vary)
IATA-compliant soft carrier or hard crate
Veterinary fee for EU Pet Passport update if vaccinations need renewal
Critical points
EU Pet Passport must be current. Expired rabies vaccination means you cannot travel.
Cabin space must be pre-booked. Do not assume you can add a cabin pet at the airport.
Italy has domestic rules on dog breeds. Check whether your breed is on the restricted list.
How Italy handles incoming pets
Italy has a modest set of rules compared with stricter destinations. Get the essentials in place and confirm the finer points below.
What experienced owners do
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
FAQ
Common questions
A valid EU Pet Passport issued by an authorised veterinarian in Denmark. The passport must record a readable microchip and a current rabies vaccination. No separate health certificate, import permit, or titre test is needed for intra-EU travel.
Yes, if small enough (typically under 8kg including carrier). SAS, Ryanair, easyJet, and Norwegian all accept small cabin pets on this route. Cabin space is limited – confirm and book at reservation.
No. Italy does not quarantine pets arriving from EU countries with a valid EU Pet Passport. UVAC may conduct a brief check on arrival, but compliant pets are not held.
Only if the vaccination is valid at the time of travel. If it expires before your trip, book a booster with your vet before departure. An expired vaccination invalidates the EU Pet Passport for travel.
Italy has domestic rules around certain dog breeds. These are not import restrictions (your dog can enter legally) but apply to ownership and keeping requirements once in the country. Check Italy’s current breed legislation if you are moving long-term.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Italy.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.