Pet Transport UAE to Italy: 2026 Guide
UAE to Italy benefits from both sides of the equation: the UAE's EU-listed status removes the titre test, and Italy removed its national breed ban in 2009. Emirates flies direct from Dubai to both Rome and Milan. The MOCCAE export permit and endorsed EU …
The United Arab Emirates to Italy import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Vet in UAE
Responsible: Vet in UAE
Responsible: Owner or pet relocation agent
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Licensed vet plus MOCCAE endorsement
Responsible: Emirates SkyCargo and Italian customs
What your pet needs to enter Italy
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
UAE is EU-listed: no titre test required. Four to six weeks preparation is enough.
Italy has no national breed ban since 2009. Most breeds enter without breed-specific permits.
MOCCAE export permit is mandatory and must be in place before departure.
The MOCCAE-endorsed EU certificate must be dated within 10 days of travel.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
No titre test from UAE, no breed ban in Italy: what this means in practice
Two regulatory advantages make the UAE to Italy route among the more straightforward Middle East to EU moves. First, the UAE is EU-listed: the FAVN titre test and 3-month wait are waived. Four to six weeks preparation is sufficient. Second, Italy removed its national breed ban in 2009. There are no federal breed-specific restrictions on which dogs can be imported.
For a Dubai family moving to Rome or Milan with a Rottweiler, a Cane Corso, or a similar breed, Italy is notable for accepting any breed without import-stage restrictions. The standard EU import checklist applies to all breeds equally: ISO microchip predating the rabies vaccination, current vaccination with the 21-day post-primary wait, MOCCAE export permit, and the MOCCAE-endorsed EU certificate within 10 days of travel.
Italian customs and Ministry of Health veterinary officers verify these at Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa. If the documentation is in order, clearance proceeds without quarantine.
MOCCAE documentation: permits and certificates step by step
Moving a pet out of the UAE involves two MOCCAE documents. The export permit authorises your pet to leave the country. It is a government-issued document obtained through the MOCCAE online services portal (moccae.gov.ae) or via a registered pet relocation agent. Agents in the UAE are generally faster and less prone to portal errors; allow four to six weeks if handling it yourself, two to three weeks with an agent.
The health certificate is issued by your licensed vet in the UAE following a clinical examination and review of microchip and vaccination records. MOCCAE then endorses the certificate to make it valid for EU customs. This endorsed certificate must be dated within 10 days of your travel date, so the vet appointment and the MOCCAE endorsement step both need to fall in that window.
In Dubai, several veterinary clinics have streamlined relationships with MOCCAE for same-day or next-day endorsements. Ask your vet whether they can coordinate the endorsement, or use a relocation agent who manages this step.
Emirates direct to Rome and Milan: the cargo options for Italy
Emirates is the strongest airline choice for UAE to Italy pet cargo. Emirates SkyCargo operates direct from Dubai International (DXB) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP). Both routes carry live animals in temperature-controlled holds, and Emirates has long-established live animal handling procedures at Dubai International.
For families relocating to Rome, FCO is the most direct option. For northern Italy, Milan Malpensa provides access to Milan and the surrounding Lombardy region. If you are relocating to Florence, Turin, or Naples, your cargo agent can advise on onward domestic transport from the closest cargo-capable airport.
ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia) also operates between DXB and FCO and accepts live animal cargo on selected flights. Etihad from Abu Dhabi is a useful alternative for Abu Dhabi-based families. Confirm live animal acceptance on your specific flight and route when booking, as live animal cargo capacity varies by aircraft.