Pet Transport from the United Kingdom to Italy

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Quarantine on arrival

Airlines on this route

Quarantine

See key facts

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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Key facts: United Kingdom to Italy

Under EU rules, the United Kingdom falls in the group “Listed third countries and territories, Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636”. No rabies antibody titration test needed. Animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination still required; entry through a travellers' point of entry with documentary and identity checks. Montenegro and Serbia were added by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228. The EUR-Lex text of 2026/636 lists the USA as including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.
Official source
Quarantine: Under EU rules quarantine is tied to non-compliance: a pet that fails the entry checks may be returned to the country of departure, quarantined until it complies, or, if neither is possible, euthanised (Your Europe, last checked 1 September 2026). Separately, Article 29 of 2026/131 lets a Member State admit a non-compliant pet on a permit that may include isolation under official supervision for up to six months. The entry measures for a compliant pet (Article 14 of 2026/131, see other_vaccines_and_tests) include no quarantine. Applies to dogs and cats from third countries.
EU rules on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU, checked 1 October 2026
Import permit: Not required (EU level): the European Commission sets out the conditions that must be met for a pet dog, cat or ferret to move from a non-EU country into an EU country (travel with the owner, at most 5 animals, microchip, health, rabies vaccination, titre test where applicable, tapeworm treatment for some destinations, animal health certificate and declaration, travellers' point of entry); no permit is among them. National files must still settle any national permit (for example a breed or hybrid licence). Applies to pet dogs, cats and ferrets moved from non-EU countries into the EU (non-commercial).
Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country, checked 2 October 2026

Taken from official government pages, last checked 2 October 2026. Rules change, so open the linked page again before you book.

Official rules on this page checked 2 October 2026

Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The United Kingdom to Italy import process

Check your pet's records. Microchip must predate the vaccination entry.

Confirm microchip is recorded before rabies vaccination date

Responsible: Your UK veterinarian

4-6 weeks before travel. Space is limited on some Italian routes.

Book cargo space with BA or ITA Airways

Responsible: You or your cargo agent

Book the vet appointment to align with your travel date. AHC valid for 10 days on entry.

AHC issued by APHA-authorised vet within 10 days of Italian arrival

Responsible: APHA-authorised official veterinarian

Ministero della Salute border vet checks microchip, vaccination, and AHC.

Italian border vet inspection at the airport

Responsible: Italian border veterinary authority

Which Italy rules depend on a pet coming from the United Kingdom?

The EU sorts non-EU countries into groups, and the United Kingdom falls in “Listed third countries and territories, Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636”.

No rabies antibody titration test needed. Animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination still required; entry through a travellers' point of entry with documentary and identity checks. Montenegro and Serbia were added by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228. The EUR-Lex text of 2026/636 lists the USA as including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Official source

The rules that apply to every pet entering Italy, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Italy guide.

What does the United Kingdom require before your pet leaves?

We are still checking the export rules of the United Kingdom against official government pages, so they are not shown here yet.

Costs

What this route typically costs

AHC from APHA-authorised vet (typically GBP 200-400)

BA or ITA Airways cargo fee to Italy

IATA-compliant crate for cargo shipment

Cargo agent fee (recommended for first international move)

Critical points

GB-issued pet passports are no longer valid for EU entry as of April 2026. You need a fresh AHC for every trip to Italy. The AHC must be issued within 10 days of your Italian arrival date.

Ryanair and easyJet do not accept pets in cabin or cargo. If you are flying with one of these carriers, you need to arrange a separate cargo booking for your pet through BA, ITA Airways, or a specialist carrier.

Italy does not have a national PPP-style breed ban, but some regional and municipal rules may apply. Check local regulations for your specific Italian destination.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
British Airways	Cargo from LHR to FCO (Rome Fiumicino), MXP (Milan Malpensa), VCE (Venice), and other Italian airports. BA World Cargo has established live animal handling. Book through a cargo agent.	Cargo Only
ITA Airways	Cargo and hold services from LHR to FCO, MXP, and domestic Italian connections. ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia) accepts live animals in cargo on this corridor.	Cargo Only
Ryanair	Ryanair does not accept pets in cabin or cargo. Not suitable for pet transport.	None
easyJet	easyJet does not accept pets in cabin or cargo. Not suitable for pet transport.	None

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. A titre test is not required for dogs or cats travelling from the United Kingdom to Italy. The UK is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131. The requirements are: ISO microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination), current rabies vaccination (21-day wait after first dose), and a fresh AHC issued within 10 days of arrival in Italy.

No. Ryanair and easyJet do not accept pets in cabin or cargo on any route. If you are planning to travel with one of these airlines, your pet needs a separate cargo booking through British Airways, ITA Airways, or another full-service carrier on the same route or a nearby airport.

You need a fresh Animal Health Certificate for every trip to Italy (or any EU country). GB-issued pet passports are no longer valid for EU entry as of April 2026. The AHC must be issued by an APHA-authorised official veterinarian within 10 days of your arrival date in Italy.

No. Italy does not impose routine quarantine on pets arriving from the UK with correct documentation. The border vet at the Italian airport checks the AHC, scans the microchip, and verifies the vaccination record. Compliant pets are cleared on arrival day.

Italy does not operate a national PPP-style breed restriction list like Spain. However, some Italian regions and municipalities have local breed-specific rules. Check the regulations for your specific destination city or comune before travel, particularly if your dog is a breed commonly subject to restrictions in Europe (Pit Bull types, Rottweiler, and similar).

Airline guides

British Airways
ITA Airways
Ryanair
easyJet

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations