Moving abroad with pets
How to move abroad with a dog or cat in 2026: microchips, rabies rules, health certificates, airline options, quarantine countries, and realistic costs and timelines.
Pets can move to almost any country — but the paperwork runs on the destination's clock, not yours. The rabies-vaccine and blood-test sequencing alone can add three to six months, so the pet timeline often decides the move date, not the other way round.
The universal core: microchip, rabies, certificate
Nearly every destination requires an ISO-standard microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, a valid rabies vaccine, and an official veterinary health certificate issued shortly before travel (often endorsed by your government's agriculture authority, e.g. USDA-APHIS for US movers). Order matters: a rabies shot given before the chip usually doesn't count.
Strict destinations and quarantine
Rabies-free destinations — Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and Hawaii among them — add rabies antibody (titer) blood tests, mandated waiting periods that can stretch past 180 days, import permits, and in some cases post-arrival quarantine. If one of these is your destination, start the pet process before almost anything else.
Flights, crates, and breed restrictions
Small pets often fly in-cabin (typically under ~8 kg including carrier); larger animals travel as checked baggage or manifest cargo in an IATA-compliant crate. Many airlines restrict snub-nosed breeds for heat-stroke risk, and some countries ban specific breeds outright — check both the airline and the destination before booking anything.
Costs and how Jonzy helps
Simple routes (US to EU with an in-cabin cat) commonly run $300–$1,000 in vet work, certificates, and airline fees. Strict destinations with titer tests, permits, cargo rates, and quarantine can exceed $3,000–$5,000. Add your pet line to the relocation budget, and use Jonzy's move timeline so vet deadlines sit alongside visa and housing dates.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to move a pet abroad?
For most rabies-controlled destinations: four to eight weeks once the microchip and vaccine are in place. For rabies-free destinations like Australia, Japan, or New Zealand: plan three to seven months for titer tests, waiting periods, and permits. Always work backwards from official government checklists.
Which countries quarantine pets?
Australia and New Zealand quarantine on arrival; Japan, Singapore, and Hawaii can, when paperwork or waiting periods fall short. Most of Europe, the UK, Latin America, and North America impose no quarantine when documents are correct.
Is this veterinary or legal advice?
No. Rules change and are enforced by destination governments and airlines. Confirm requirements on the official import pages for your destination and with an accredited vet before booking travel.