Destination Profile: European Union — Base requirements for non-listed countries

Last verified: 24 February 2026
Competent health authority: European Commission — Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE)
Official URL: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/eu-legislation/non-commercial-movement-non-eu-countries_en

Global destination classification

Regulatory model

Model B: conditional quarantine for non-compliance. Regulation (EU) 576/2013 allows direct entry of pets that fully meet health requirements in any of the 27 member states. In case of documentary non-compliance or clinical suspicion, the authority may order isolation under official control, return to country of origin or, as a last resort, euthanasia (Art. 35, EU Regulation 576/2013). There is no routine quarantine for animals with complete documentation in any EU member state.

Rabies status of destination country

Canine rabies-free across all European Union member states. Active surveillance is maintained in border areas of some eastern EU countries.
Source: WOAH — https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/

Country-of-origin classification system

Yes. The EU classifies all third countries into two categories under Implementing Regulation (EU) 577/2013: countries listed in Annex II (low risk, exempt from RNATT and waiting period) and non-listed countries (high risk, with full protocol mandatory). This classification is uniform for all 27 member states and does not vary by specific destination within the EU.

Peru is a non-listed country, classified as high rabies risk. In Latin America, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and most Central American and Caribbean countries share this category. Chile, Argentina and Mexico are listed in Annex II, Part 2, and are exempt from RNATT and the 3-month waiting period.
Verification URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0577

Requirements for dogs

Microchip

— Required standard: ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785 (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex III).
— Must it be implanted before vaccination? Yes. Identification must be prior to or simultaneous with rabies vaccination for it to be valid under European regulation.
— If the chip was implanted after vaccination: the vaccination is invalid. The animal must be revaccinated after implantation and all timelines restarted from scratch.

Rabies vaccination

— Mandatory: Yes.
— Minimum age for vaccination: 12 weeks (84 days) (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex III).
— Minimum post-vaccination period: 21 calendar days for primary vaccination before sample collection for RNATT or before travel (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex IV).
— Recognised validity: according to manufacturer's technical data sheet (1 or 3 years), provided there are no gaps in boosters. If the vaccine expires during the post-RNATT waiting period, the booster must be given before the exact expiry date or continuity of the process is lost.
— Accepted vaccine types: inactivated or recombinant vaccines authorised by the health authority of the country of origin.
— If expired: the new dose is considered primary vaccination. The 21-day wait, sample collection for RNATT and 3-month waiting period are restarted.

Rabies serology titre (RNATT)

— Mandatory: Yes, for animals from Peru and all non-listed Latin American countries.
— Minimum threshold: 0.5 IU/mL (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex IV).
— Minimum post-vaccination period before sample collection: 30 days from vaccination (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex IV).
— Waiting period: 3 months (90 days) before entry into any EU member state. The count starts from the date of blood sample collection, not from the date of receipt of the result (EU Regulation 576/2013, Art. 10).
— List of EU-approved laboratories: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/approved-rabies-serology-laboratories_en
— Approved laboratories in Latin America: there is no EU-approved laboratory in Peru or Colombia. Approved laboratories exist in Brazil (TEC-SAÚDE) and Mexico (SENASICA). Owners exporting from Peru must send the sample to approved laboratories outside the country. This shipping and result time must be factored into the calendar from the start of the process.
— If the result is below threshold: mandatory re-vaccination and new sample collection 30 days later, fully restarting the 3-month waiting period.

Other vaccines required by entry regulation

EU base regulation does not require vaccines in addition to rabies as a legal import requirement for non-commercial movements from third countries.

However, SENASA — the official veterinary authority of Peru — requires a complete and valid vaccination scheme to issue the International Health Certificate for export. Without that scheme, SENASA does not certify the animal and the process cannot begin. For dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Infectious canine hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parainfluenza (valid quintuple vaccine). Verify directly at https://www.gob.pe/senasa before starting any process from Peru.

The same logic applies to all Latin American countries of origin. Each national veterinary authority requires its own complete vaccination scheme to certify export, regardless of what the European destination requires:

Antiparasitic treatments

Conditional on destination member state. EU base regulation does not require antiparasitic treatment for most member states. However, four destinations within the European framework require mandatory treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis with Praziquantel or equivalent, applied between 24 and 120 hours before arrival (EU Regulation 2018/772, Annex):

— Finland: mandatory.
— Ireland: mandatory.
— Malta: mandatory.
— Norway: mandatory (not an EU member state but applies Regulation 576/2013 under the EEA Agreement).

The treatment must be applied and documented by a registered veterinarian in the EU Health Certificate. If the final destination is any of these four countries, the 24–120 hour window is fixed. Treatment applied outside this window is invalid.

For Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands and other member states: not identified in consulted primary regulation as a mandatory requirement for non-commercial movements from third countries.

Health certificate

— Official name: European Union Health Certificate for non-commercial movement of companion animals from third countries (Annex IV, Implementing Regulation EU 577/2013).
— Who may issue it: official veterinarian of the authority of the country of origin. In Peru: SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa). In Colombia: ICA. In Ecuador: AGROCALIDAD. In Brazil: MAPA Brazil SDA. See full table of Latin American authorities in the previous section.
— Validity window: 10 days from official signature until entry control in any EU member state.
— Does it require endorsement? Yes, mandatory. In Peru: SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa).
— Official model URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0577&from=ES

Official entry document

— Exact name: EU Health Certificate for non-commercial movement from third countries + Non-commerciality declaration.
— Who issues it: in Peru, SENASA based on the official EU model (Annex IV, Regulation 577/2013). In each Latin American country: the equivalent veterinary authority.
— Validity window: 10 days from issuance until point of entry in the EU.
— Official model URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0577&from=ES

Mandatory digital forms

No centralised EU-level digital form identified in consulted primary regulation for non-commercial movements. Control is physical and documentary at the Travellers' Entry Point (TTP) of each member state.

Quarantine

— Mandatory: No, not routinely in any EU member state. Conditional on documentary non-compliance or clinical signs detected at the point of entry.
— Facilities: isolation centres authorised by the member state of arrival. Each country designates its own facilities.
— Cost: entirely borne by the owner.
— What can prolong it? Unreadable microchip, incomplete documentation, post-RNATT waiting period not met, expired vaccine, or absence of antiparasitic treatment in destinations that require it.

Breed restrictions

Not covered in this profile. Each member state has regulatory autonomy on companion animal ownership. Consult the authority of the destination member state directly before starting the process.

Minimum age for entry

Approximately 7 months for animals from Peru and non-listed Latin American countries: 12 weeks minimum age + 30 days post-vaccination for sample collection + 90 days post-collection wait (EU Regulation 576/2013, Art. 10). Entry of puppies without RNATT from high-risk countries is not permitted.

Transport mode

Cabin baggage (PETC) or hold (AVIH) permitted for non-commercial movements to the EU in general. A Cargo Manifest is not mandatory for entry into EU member states (IATA LAR). Check each airline's specific policy for the route.

Requirements for cats

Microchip

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Rabies vaccination

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Serology titre (RNATT)

Same as dogs — see previous section. The 0.5 IU/mL threshold, count from sample collection and 3-month waiting period apply equally to cats from Peru and non-listed Latin American countries.

Other vaccines required by entry regulation

EU regulation does not require vaccines in addition to rabies for entry. However, SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) requires a complete valid vaccination scheme for cats to issue the International Health Certificate from Peru: Feline Triple (Calicivirus, Feline viral rhinotracheitis and Panleukopenia) plus rabies vaccine. Without this scheme, SENASA does not certify. The same principle applies to ICA in Colombia, AGROCALIDAD in Ecuador and the other authorities in the table above.

Antiparasitic treatments

The mandatory treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis applies to dogs only. Cats are exempt from this requirement even for the four destinations that require it (Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway) (EU Regulation 2018/772).

Health certificate

Same as dogs — see previous section. Issued and endorsed by SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) in Peru, or by the equivalent veterinary authority in each Latin American country of origin.

Official entry document

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Mandatory digital forms

Not identified in consulted primary regulation.

Quarantine

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Breed restrictions

Not covered in this profile. Consult the destination member state authority directly.

Minimum age for entry

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Transport mode

Same as dogs — see previous section.

National and country-of-origin variations

Differentiated requirements by origin? Yes.

Risk classification system

EU list system (Regulation 577/2013, Annex II). Uniform for all 27 member states.
Verification URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0577

Situation of Peru and Latin America

Peru is a non-listed country. Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and most Central American and Caribbean countries share this classification. Chile, Argentina and Mexico are listed and exempt from RNATT and the waiting period. Export certification in each case is by SENASA in Peru (https://www.gob.pe/senasa), ICA in Colombia, AGROCALIDAD in Ecuador, MAPA Brazil SDA in Brazil, SAG in Chile, SENASICA in Mexico, SENASAG in Bolivia, SENACSA in Paraguay, MGAP-DGSG in Uruguay and INSAI in Venezuela.

Situation of low-risk countries

Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan: do not require RNATT. Only ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination and official health certificate equivalent to European passport. Germany, France, Spain, Italy and other EU member states: European passport with valid vaccination only for intra-EU movements.

Links to specific profiles:

For Spain: see full profile →   For Italy: see full profile →   For France: see full profile →

Transit through third countries

If an animal from a listed country transits through Peru or any non-listed country, it must meet the requirements of that transit country, including RNATT, unless the owner can certify by declaration that the animal had no contact with rabies-susceptible animals and remained in the international area of the airport throughout the transit (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex I, Part 3).

Directory of national authorities — 27 EU member states

This table is the reference for owners travelling to any EU member state without a dedicated profile on this site. For Spain, Italy and France there are specific technical profiles with the full process detailed.

Associated countries applying EU Regulation 576/2013 under bilateral agreements:

Common errors

ERROR 1: Sample collection before 30 days post-vaccination

What happens: the sample is taken before the immune system has responded sufficiently. The antibody titre often comes back below the 0.5 IU/mL threshold. Common in files from Peru where owner urgency shortens timelines.
Regulatory consequence: test rejection; mandatory re-vaccination and 30 additional days wait for new sample, restarting the 3-month waiting period (EU Regulation 576/2013, Annex IV).
How to prevent: strictly respect 30 calendar days from vaccination before any sample collection. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) verifies this sequence in the endorsement.

ERROR 2: Counting the 90 days from the result date, not from collection

What happens: the owner schedules the flight counting 3 months from when they receive the laboratory result, when the count starts the day the needle touches the animal.
Regulatory consequence: rejection at the Travellers' Border Control Point (TTP) of the member state of entry and mandatory quarantine at the owner's expense until the 90 days are completed (EU Regulation 576/2013, Art. 10).
How to prevent: calculate the eligible flight date as day 91 from blood collection, with an extra 2–3 day margin.

ERROR 3: Microchip implanted after rabies vaccination

What happens: the certificate shows that the vaccine was administered before chip implantation. Common error in clinics in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador that are unaware of the sequence requirement in EU Regulation 576/2013.
Regulatory consequence: the vaccination is legally invalid; the animal is considered unidentified and all associated vaccines and tests are void.
How to prevent: verify that the chip registration date is prior to or equal to the vaccination date. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) verifies this sequence in the endorsement; if there is a discrepancy, it does not certify.

ERROR 4: Use of laboratory not approved by the European Commission

What happens: the sample is sent to a laboratory with national or WOAH accreditation but not on the official DG SANTE list. Especially common from Peru, where there is no EU-approved laboratory.
Regulatory consequence: the result is void at any European border, without exception.
How to prevent: verify the exact name of the laboratory on the official list before collection: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/approved-rabies-serology-laboratories_en

ERROR 5: Arriving in Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway without antiparasitic treatment in the correct window

What happens: the file is perfectly prepared for base EU regulation but the owner does not know that these four destinations have a critical additional requirement. The treatment was applied outside the 24–120 hour window or simply was not applied.
Regulatory consequence: animal detained at the point of entry; treatment must be administered there and the animal remains under official control for the necessary waiting hours. In cases of serious non-compliance, return (EU Regulation 2018/772).
How to prevent: identify the exact final destination before preparing the certificate. If it is Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway, schedule the treatment with the official veterinarian so it falls within the exact 24–120 hour window before arrival at the destination airport.

ERROR 6: Health certificate without SENASA endorsement

What happens: the certificate signed only by the private veterinarian is presented at the border without the official SENASA stamp.
Regulatory consequence: the document has no international legal validity; rejection at any EU Travellers' Entry Point.
How to prevent: process the official endorsement at SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) well in advance, remembering that the certificate is valid for only 10 days from issuance.

Minimum calendar from scratch

Scenario A — Animal with microchip and valid vaccination (vaccine with more than 30 days)

— Day 0: sample collection for RNATT and shipping to EU-approved laboratory outside Peru. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) can start the endorsement process in parallel.
— Day 15 (approx.): receipt of positive result (≥ 0.5 IU/mL).
— Day 81–88: issuance of International Health Certificate by SENASA and official endorsement. 10-day validity window. If destination is Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway: coordinate antiparasitic treatment to fall between day 87 and day 90 (24–120 hours before arrival).
— Day 91: minimum eligible date for embarkation to any EU member state.
— Minimum total time Scenario A: 3 months from sample collection.

Scenario B — Animal with no prior history, from scratch

— Day 0: ISO microchip implantation + rabies vaccination + additional vaccines required by SENASA (quintuple for dogs, feline triple for cats). Minimum age 12 weeks completed.
— Day 30: sample collection for RNATT (minimum 30 days post-vaccination, EU Regulation 576/2013).
— Day 45 (approx.): receipt of positive result from EU-approved laboratory.
— Day 111–118: issuance and endorsement of International Health Certificate by SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa). If destination is Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway: coordinate antiparasitic treatment to fall within the 5 days before arrival.
— Day 120: minimum eligible date for embarkation.
— Minimum total time Scenario B: 4 months from scratch.

Authorised entry points

Yes, there is an entry point restriction. Animals must enter through Travellers' Border Control Points (TTP) designated by each member state. The main authorised airports with direct connections from Latin America are:

Each member state designates its own TTPs. Check the complete and updated list for each country at the URL of the corresponding national authority in the directory table above.
Reference URL: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/eu-legislation/non-commercial-movement-non-eu-countries/national-rules-travelling-dogs-cats-and-ferrets-within-eu_en

Cited current regulation

1. Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 — On the non-commercial movement of companion animals. Base regulatory framework for all member states. URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0576 — Verified: 24 February 2026.
2. Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 — Models of identification documents, lists of territories and third countries, and forms. Annex II (country list) and Annex IV (health certificate model). URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013R0577 — Verified: 24 February 2026.
3. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/772 — Specific sanitary measures for the non-commercial movement of dogs to Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway in relation to Echinococcus multilocularis. URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018R0772 — Verified: 24 February 2026.
4. DG SANTE — List of approved laboratories for rabies serology — Official list of laboratories approved by the European Commission for RNATT. URL: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/approved-rabies-serology-laboratories_en — Verified: 24 February 2026.

The European Union may seem a uniform destination and in base regulation it is, but in practice the costliest error is assuming that a file prepared for Spain works for any European destination. For Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway that file has an invisible gap: the antiparasitic treatment in the 24–120 hour window that does not appear in the base regulation and that stops the animal at the border even when everything else is perfect. The second most common error from Peru is not technical but arithmetic: the 90 days are counted from collection, not from the result, and that confusion of two or three weeks costs quarantines the owner never anticipated. What sets this destination apart from the rest of the world is that the regulation is the same in 27 countries but operational application varies. SENASA is always the first step from Peru, regardless of the destination member state. Without SENASA endorsement the file does not exist before any European border. And with no EU-approved laboratory in Peru, the sample must leave the country, and that international logistics time must be factored in from day one of the process.

This profile was verified against primary official sources on February 24, 2026. Requirements may change without prior notice. Always verify directly with the European Commission (DG SANTE) and SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) before initiating any export process from Peru.