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Non-commercial movement of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) from third countries

 

Non-commercial movement means any travel of the owner with a pet for reasons other than selling the pet or transferring the ownership in any other way, and where the pet forms part of the owner’s journey:

  • under the owner’s direct responsibility; or
  • in cases where the pet is physically separated from its owner, under the responsibility of an authorised person.

Owner: A natural person officially recorded as the owner of the pet in its identification document, such as a pet passport or veterinary certificate. During travel, only the person specified in this document is recognised as the pet’s legal owner.

Authorised person: A natural person who has been authorised in writing by the owner to travel with the pet for non-commercial purposes on behalf of the owner.

The authorisation must clearly state:

  • who the authorised person is,
  • details of the pet, and
  • the purpose of the journey.


This helps ensure that the pet remains under the owner’s responsibility, even when it is travelling with someone else.
 

A pet may still be considered to be travelling with its owner or an authorised person even if they do not travel at exactly the same time. This means that the pet may travel by a separate means of transport up to five days before or after the owner or authorised person.

Most importantly, it must be clearly proven that the pet is being transported for non-commercial purposes and that its journey is linked to the owner’s journey, supported by appropriate documentation. Such documentation may include travel tickets, transport documents, a written authorisation, a travel itinerary, or other relevant evidence.

📌 Example: An owner travels abroad on 10 July, while their dog travels on 8 July or 13 July. If both journeys have the same purpose and this can be demonstrated through supporting documents, the pet is considered to be travelling with its owner.
 

You may travel with up to five pets as part of a non-commercial movement in a single journey. This limit helps ensure that the movement is genuinely personal and not commercial in nature.

However, you may travel with more than five pets if all of the following conditions are met:

  • the pets are travelling to participate in a competition, exhibition, sporting event, or trainingfor such an event;
  • you can provide written proof that all pets are registered participants in the event (e.g., confirmation from the organiser or proof of registration);
  • all pets are over six months of age to ensure they are prepared and properly cared for during such journeys.
     

If a dog enters through a border control post of the Republic of Lithuania, but its final destination is:

  • The Republic of Malta
  • The Republic of Finland;
  • The United Kingdom (Northern Ireland);
  • Ireland; 
  • The Kingdom of Norway.

The dog must have been treated against Echinococcus multilocularis no more than 120 hours and no less than 24 hours before its scheduled entry into one of the above-mentioned countries.

Commission Delegated Regulations:

  • (EU) 2016/429 Animal Health Law
  • (EU) 2026/131 laying down animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals
  • (EU) 2026/132 amending rules for the traceability of kept dogs, cats and ferrets 
  • (EU) 2026/133 updating rules for the movement within the Union of kept dogs, cats and ferrets, and other carnivores 
  • (EU) 2026/134 introducing amendments relating to the surveillance and disease-free status from infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis;
  • (EU) 2026/273 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 as regards certain categories of animals and goods exempted from official controls at border control posts

Commission Implementing Regulations:

Last updated: 30-10-2026