Exit guide
Taking a dog or cat out of Italy
The steps the authorities in Italy require before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it. The destination adds its own requirements on top: pick it below, or make a dated plan.
Limited official guidance. Ministry of Health publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. The ministry's page is a short general note (updated 3 January 2025) with no deadline, fee or step-by-step procedure: your local ASL veterinary service says what applies for your destination.
The steps
Official stamp
Health certification from your local ASL veterinary service
Applies when: you do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
Get the information you need by contacting the embassy in Italy of the non-EU destination, or go directly to the veterinary service of your ASL (local health authority), which is competent to issue the health certification that may be needed.
Details and the official words
The ministry's page gives no deadline for how recent the certificate must be: the destination's own requirements decide.
“È dunque opportuno reperire le informazioni necessarie contattando l’ambasciata in Italia del Paese terzo oppure rivolgersi direttamente al servizio veterinario della Asl di appartenenza competente per l’eventuale rilascio della certificazione sanitaria necessaria.”
Good to know
- When the destination is outside the EU, it can ask for health requirements and documents on top of those for EU countries, and the conditions vary by destination.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
- Some non-EU countries have very strict laws, for example quarantine that separates the animal from its owner, even for long periods. Collect the information well in advance.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
- Planning to bring your pet back to the EU? After a short stay in a non-EU country you can skip the 3-month wait after the rabies blood test, but only if, before you leave the EU, your pet was vaccinated against rabies, passed a successful titer test, and your vet recorded both in its EU pet passport. So do the blood test before you go.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City
Where are you taking your pet?
Routes from Italy where we cover both sides.