Planning a pet relocation from Uruguay to Italy is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. Set aside roughly 20-26 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. Pets with correct documentation skip quarantine …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Uruguay to Italy
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Uruguay to Italy pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted before vaccination
Responsible: MGAP-registered vet in Uruguay
Week 1
2
Rabies vaccination post-chip
Responsible: MGAP-registered vet
Week 2-3
3
30-day wait before FAVN blood draw
Responsible: Pet owner
Weeks 3-7
4
FAVN or ELISA blood draw. Sample to EU-approved laboratory. Result 0.5 IU/ml or above.
Responsible: MGAP-registered vet
Week 7
5
90-day wait from blood draw date
Responsible: Pet owner
Weeks 7-20
6
Book multi-leg cargo to Italy (MXP or FCO) for after the 90-day period
Responsible: PetTransportGlobal / pet owner
During the wait
7
DGSG-endorsed EU health certificate issued within 10 days of departure
Responsible: MGAP-registered vet + DGSG
Within 10 days of travel
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
ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip, implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days post-primary vaccination before travel.
Rabies titre test
REQUIRED. Uruguay is unlisted under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131. FAVN or ELISA, blood drawn 30+ days post-vaccination, result 0.5 IU/ml or above at EU-approved laboratory. 90-day wait from blood draw date.
Quarantine
None for compliant arrivals
Import permit
Not required
Health certificate
EU Annex IV non-commercial health certificate, DGSG-endorsed, issued within 10 days of travel
Export permit (Uruguay)
Not required for companion animals
Costs
What this route typically costs
FAVN titre test: USD 150-300 lab fee plus vet and international shipping
MVD to South American hub: EUR 200-500 (regional cargo)
Transatlantic cargo to FRA, AMS, CDG, or MAD: EUR 600-1,200
Second-leg to Milan (MXP) or Rome (FCO): EUR 150-500
IATA-approved crate: EUR 80-250
DGSG documentation and endorsement
Italian Ministry of Health inspection fee on arrival
Critical points to read before you book
Uruguay is an unlisted country. The complete titre test pathway and 90-day wait are mandatory. Start 20-26 weeks before your target arrival in Italy.
Italy has restricted breeds under Ministry of Health Ordinance of 3 March 2009 (as updated). Check the current restricted breed list for dogs at salute.gov.it before travel. Some breeds face in-country ownership restrictions.
Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) both handle live animal cargo but have different cargo terminal procedures. Confirm arrival and inspection procedures with the freight forwarder before departure from Uruguay.
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.
LATAM AIRLINES
LATAM Airlines
MVD to GRU (São Paulo) or SCL (Santiago). Then transatlantic to MAD, FRA, or CDG. Onward to Milan Malpensa (MXP) or Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
Cargo Only
IBERIA (CARGO)
Iberia (Cargo)
MVD via EZE or direct to MAD. Iberia Cargo flies the South American bridge. From MAD, Iberia or ITA Airways connects to MXP or FCO.
Cargo Only
AIR FRANCE
Air France (Cargo)
EZE or GRU to CDG. Air France Cargo. CDG to MXP or FCO on Air France or partner. CDG is a major hub for Italian city connections.
Cargo Only
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa (Cargo)
GRU or EZE to FRA. FRA to MXP or FCO. Lufthansa's FRA animal centre is one of Europe's best for South American transatlantic cargo.
Cargo Only
KLM ROYAL
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
GRU or EZE to AMS. AMS to MXP or FCO via KLM or ITA Airways. Amsterdam handles South American cargo well with strong Italian connections.
Cargo Only
Italy import rules, explained
Italy has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.
Practical tips for this move
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
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 Uruguay to Italy pet transport
If Iberia cargo has an embargo on live animals during your target travel dates, the main alternatives are LATAM via GRU to CDG (Air France) or FRA (Lufthansa), with a second leg from CDG or FRA to MXP or FCO. KLM via AMS is also a reliable alternative. Always book well in advance and confirm live animal acceptance on each specific sector when booking. Our team monitors airline embargo periods and can advise on alternatives.
A passing FAVN result (0.5 IU/ml or above) remains valid for EU entry for as long as the rabies vaccination remains current. There is no expiry date on the titre test result itself. If your dog’s rabies vaccination has been kept up to date with boosters given within the valid period of the previous dose, the original titre test result should still be valid. If the vaccination has ever lapsed and been restarted, a new titre test and 90-day wait would be required. Confirm the vaccination history with your MGAP-registered vet and bring all documentation.
Yes, up to five pets per owner can be listed on a single EU Annex IV non-commercial health certificate. Each animal must be individually identified by microchip number, and each must have its own vaccination record and titre test result included. If you have more than five animals, a second certificate is required. All three animals (two dogs and a cat) must each have completed the FAVN titre test pathway independently.
Airline guides
LATAM Airlines
Iberia (Cargo)
Air France (Cargo)
Lufthansa (Cargo)
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.