Citizens of Ukraine who plan to travel abroad or return to the country together with pets must prepare veterinary documents in advance, check the presence of a microchip and valid vaccination against rabies, and in some cases, also the result of an antibody test, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic reported. For such trips, the basic requirements include identification of the animal by means of a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, an international veterinary certificate and a veterinary passport of the prescribed format. Usually, no more than five animals can be transported as part of a non-commercial movement.
Additional requirements must be taken into account for trips from Ukraine to EU countries. From April 22, 2026, updated rules for the non-commercial movement of pets from third countries are in effect in the European Union. For Ukraine, the basic requirements have not changed significantly: a dog, cat or ferret must be microchipped, have a valid vaccination against rabies, and, as a rule, the result of a test for a sufficient level of antibodies to the rabies virus.
An important nuance is the sequence of procedures. The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination or on the day of the vaccination. During the initial vaccination, the animal must be no younger than 12 weeks old, and such vaccination usually becomes valid for the trip no earlier than 21 days later.
For Ukrainian animals, a rabies antibody titer test is required upon entry into the EU. The State Production and Consumer Service recommends taking blood for analysis no earlier than 30 days after vaccination and taking into account the mandatory waiting period of at least 90 days before issuing the relevant documents for the trip. The analysis itself must be carried out in a laboratory recognized by the EU.
If the test has already given a positive result, it is not necessary to repeat it during each trip, provided that the animal is revaccinated in time before the previous vaccination expires.
Before crossing the border, it is necessary to issue an international veterinary certificate. For entry from a third country to the EU, it is valid for 10 days from the moment of issue until passing the documentary and identification control at the official point of entry. After passing control, the certificate can be used for further travel within the EU for up to six months or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.
At the same time, it is necessary to cross the external border of the EU with the animal through the Travelers' Points of Entry determined by the state, where the authorized services can check the documents and identification of the animal. Before traveling through Slovakia, Poland, Hungary or Romania, it is worth checking in advance whether the chosen checkpoint is one of those allowed for entry with pets.
From 2026, another important nuance has appeared. If the animal is not accompanied by the owner himself, but by a person authorized by him, the trip can be considered non-commercial only if the owner crosses the border a maximum of five days before or after the animal. A written declaration must be attached to the documents. Otherwise, stricter rules for the commercial movement of animals may apply to transportation.
Ukraine has also changed the form of the veterinary passport. From March 1, 2026, the new model, approved by the order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy No. 1366 of February 28, 2025, is in effect. At the same time, previously issued veterinary passports remain valid, there is no special need to change them.
A veterinary passport is issued by a state or authorized veterinarian after examining the animal and entering information about its identification, vaccination and other necessary preventive measures. So far, such a document is issued in paper form in Ukraine.
Individual requirements may differ depending on the country of destination. For example, importing dogs to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway requires additional treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm, carried out by a veterinarian within the prescribed period before entry.
Veterinary control is also carried out during the return of the animal to Ukraine. Clinically healthy animals, which are accompanied by the owner or an authorized person and meet the established requirements, are allowed for import. For dogs, cats and ferrets there are requirements for identification, vaccination and veterinary documents. There are separate rules for animals under 16 weeks of age.
If more than five dogs, cats or ferrets are transported, such a trip can only be non-commercial in certain cases - for example, to participate in exhibitions, competitions or training. At the same time, animals must be older than six months, and the owner must confirm their registration for the relevant event.
The State Food and Beverage Service recommends starting preparations for traveling with an animal several months in advance, especially if the rabies vaccination and laboratory antibody test have not yet been done. The rules should be checked specifically for the country of first entry and final destination, as they may differ depending on the route, species and age of the animal.
Source: Embassy of Ukraine in Slovak Republic, State Production and Consumer Service of Ukraine, European Commission.
