Travel & documents
Travel and documents: from a puppy in Italy to your home
When a puppy is sold within the European Union and moves to another country, specific rules apply. They protect against rabies and make life harder for illegal traders. Here are those rules as the European Commission and national authorities describe them, with sources and the date we checked them.
The timeline
Microchip
The puppy is identified with a microchip – before the rabies vaccination.
From 12 weeks: rabies vaccination
The first rabies vaccination can be given at 12 weeks at the earliest and is recorded in the EU pet passport.
21-day wait
The vaccination is only valid 21 days after the primary vaccination. So the puppy is at least 15 weeks old when it leaves.
48 hours before departure
Clinical examination and an official health certificate from the veterinary services of the country of departure.
TRACES
The certificate is issued in the EU’s TRACES system and automatically notified to the authority at the place of arrival.
Arrival
Register the microchip in your country as required there – rules and deadlines vary, so ask your vet.
The papers that travel with the puppy
| Document | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| EU pet passport | Holds the microchip number and the rabies vaccination |
| Official health certificate (TRACES) | Confirms the examination before departure; notified to the destination authority |
| Sale contract | Governs the purchase between you and the breeder |
What national authorities say (examples)
| Country | Minimum age / key point | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Puppies from other EU countries only from 15 weeks | BMLEH |
| France | At least 15 weeks; I-CAD registration within 7 days of arrival | Service-Public.fr |
| Spain | No entry for dogs under 15 weeks, no exceptions | MAPA |
| Netherlands | At least 15 weeks; registration within 2 weeks of arrival | NVWA |
| Austria | Registration in the pet database within one month of entry | oesterreich.gv.at |
Checked on 26 September 2026. For other countries, check with the competent authority before travelling.
Are there exceptions for younger puppies?
EU law allows some Member States to accept younger puppies under certain conditions. Several countries, including Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands, do not. For our part, we only organise travel abroad from 15 weeks with a valid vaccination, whatever the destination.
Before and after the journey
How the whole process works from first contact to handover is explained in Puppy from Italy. What to prepare at home before the puppy arrives is in Preparing for your puppy, and the questions to ask any seller are in Choosing a good breeder.
Frequently asked questions
Does my puppy need an EU pet passport?
Yes. The microchip number and the rabies vaccination are recorded in it.
What is TRACES?
The EU’s electronic system for animal movements. The official health certificate is issued in it and passed on to the authority at the place of arrival.
What if the puppy is unwell on departure day?
Then it doesn’t travel. That is exactly what the official examination before departure is for. We postpone the journey until it is well and keep you informed.
Keep reading
Any questions?
Message Gianni or Aldo directly on WhatsApp. Tell us how you live and what you are looking for.
Our only location is Barletta, Italy.