Bringing your dog or cat from Latvia to Italy takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect about 2-6 weeks, with a short and predictable checklist. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement is met. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Latvia to Italy
typically takes around 2-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Latvia to Italy pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Latvian vet
If not yet chipped, chip before any vaccination.
2
Confirm rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Latvian vet
Primary: 21-day wait before travel. Booster within valid period: immediately effective.
3
EU pet passport or AHC
Responsible: PVD-authorised Latvian vet
Passport: one appointment with PVD-authorised vet. AHC: within 10 days of travel.
4
Book flight from Riga to Italy
Responsible: Owner
3-4 weeks before travel. Confirm airline pet policy. Avoid Ryanair and Wizz Air.
5
Travel to Italy
Responsible: Owner + airline
Travel day. Riga to Rome or Milan via connection is typically 4-7 hours.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Italy
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must precede the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current vaccination. Primary vaccination: 21-day minimum before travel. Boosters within prior vaccine validity are immediately effective.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Latvia and Italy are both EU member states.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant intra-EU pet movements.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
EU pet passport (EU-resident owners) or AHC (non-EU residents). Standard EU pet travel framework.
Export permit (Latvia)
No export permit required for companion pets moving from Latvia to Italy.
Costs
What this route typically costs
EU pet passport or AHC: EUR 30-120
Rabies booster (if due): EUR 20-60
Airline cabin pet fee (per leg): EUR 25-100
Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 200-650
IATA crate (if needed): EUR 50-250
Total typical range: EUR 150-900
Critical points to read before you book
Ryanair and Wizz Air both have services from Riga to Italy but do not accept pets. Do not book these carriers if you are travelling with an animal.
airBaltic is the most convenient option from Riga but operates connections rather than direct RIX-FCO/MXP services. Confirm the specific pet policy on each connecting leg.
Italy requires microchipping of all dogs and their registration in the national Anagrafe Canina within 30 days of establishing residency. If moving permanently, arrange this after arrival.
April 2026: EU pet passports restricted to EU-resident owners. Most Latvian pet owners are EU residents. Non-EU nationals on Latvian permits should use the PVD AHC.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AIRBALTIC
airBaltic
airBaltic operates from its RIX hub (Riga) to several Italian airports including Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Bergamo (BGY) or Malpensa (MXP) via connections. Small pets in-cabin. Latvia's strongest carrier option for Italy.
Cabin and Cargo
RYANAIR
Ryanair
Ryanair flies from Riga to multiple Italian destinations. Does not accept pets. Not suitable.
Not Suitable
WIZZ AIR
Wizz Air
Wizz Air operates from RIX to Italy. Does not accept pets. Not suitable.
Not Suitable
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA) Animal Lounge, then FRA to Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP). Good cargo handling at FRA. Small pets in cabin on Lufthansa EU routes. Connections from Riga available via Lufthansa or partner.
Cabin and Cargo
LOT POLISH
LOT Polish Airlines
Via Warsaw (WAW), then WAW to Italian cities. LOT accepts small pets in cabin. Connections from Riga to WAW available. A cost-effective option for cabin pet travel.
Cabin and Cargo
What Italy requires
Bringing a pet into Italy is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions about Latvia to Italy pet transport
Yes. A German Shepherd can travel as cargo from Riga to Rome. The most practical routing is via Frankfurt (Lufthansa Cargo, with the Frankfurt Animal Lounge) or via Warsaw (LOT Cargo). airBaltic handles cargo from Riga and may have connections. Contact the cargo department of your chosen airline directly, provide the dog’s weight and exact crate dimensions, and confirm live animal acceptance on each segment. Total journey time for cargo including the intermediate stop is typically 5-8 hours.
No mandatory vet check is required on arrival for intra-EU pet movements with a valid EU passport or AHC and current vaccination. Italy’s Servizi Veterinari does not typically conduct spot checks at airports for EU arrivals. However, keeping a local Italian vet appointment within the first few weeks of arrival is sensible to establish a patient record and to begin the Anagrafe registration process if you are staying permanently.
Yes. Prescription medications for your own pet can be carried when travelling within the EU. Carry documentation from your Latvian vet confirming the medication is prescribed for your specific animal (with microchip number). Quantities should be appropriate for personal use. Some medications that are prescription-only in Latvia may have different classifications in Italy, but for personal companion animal medication this rarely causes issues if properly documented.
Airline guides
airBaltic
Ryanair
Wizz Air
Lufthansa
LOT Polish Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.