How to Move to Another Country With Pets

Step-By-Step Guide to Moving Your Pet Abroad

Research Pet Import Laws in Your New Country

Every country sets its own rules for incoming animals, and some are strict enough to surprise even experienced international movers. New Zealand and Australia, for example, require extended quarantine periods and specific veterinary treatments completed in a precise sequence. The European Union requires microchipping, rabies vaccination, and an EU-formatted health certificate. Some countries prohibit certain breeds entirely.

Start by consulting official government resources for your destination country (not travel forums or blog posts that may be outdated). Your local USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office is an excellent resource for understanding what documentation the U.S. side of the move requires.

Give yourself at least six months of lead time. Some vaccinations and health certificates must be issued within specific windows, and getting them redone due to a missed deadline is both costly and stressful.

Talk to Your Vet and Prepare Important Documents

Once you understand the destination country's requirements, book an appointment with your vet to walk through everything. Your veterinarian will need to complete a health certificate, confirm vaccinations are current, and potentially administer treatments like rabies titers tests or parasite treatments that must be documented.

Many countries require USDA-endorsed health certificates, which means your vet's paperwork must be submitted to a USDA-accredited office for official endorsement before travel. This process can take one to two weeks, so don't leave it until the week before your flight.

Key documents to have organized and accessible:

• Vaccination records (especially rabies)
• Microchip documentation
• USDA-endorsed health certificate
• Any import permits required by the destination country
• Airline or transport company's pet policy requirements

Choose the Right Transport Method

How your pet travels will depend on their size, temperament, health, and your destination country's regulations. Small pets may be eligible to fly in the cabin, while larger animals typically travel as checked baggage or as cargo.

For longer routes, many pet owners work with professional international pet transport companies that specialize in navigating customs, quarantine coordination, and door-to-door logistics. If you're managing the move yourself, research which airlines have the most established pet freight programs. Not all carriers offer the same level of care or consistency.

Stewart Moving & Storage can help coordinate the logistics of your international relocation, including connecting you with trusted partners who handle pet transport. Having a single point of contact for your move—belongings and pets alike—reduces the chance of things slipping through the cracks.

Prepare Your Pet for the Move

The unfamiliar environment of travel can be genuinely disorienting for animals. Crate training well in advance is one of the most practical things you can do; a pet that's comfortable in its carrier will handle transit far better than one experiencing it for the first time.

Avoid sedating your pet unless explicitly directed by your veterinarian. Many airlines actually prohibit sedated pets in cargo due to safety concerns. Instead, focus on gradual desensitization: short car rides, exposure to the crate, and keeping your routine consistent in the weeks before departure.

If your pet has significant anxiety, ask your vet about non-sedating calming options that are safe for air travel.

Arrive and Settle In

Border control at your destination may include a health inspection before you're cleared to leave with your pet. Have every document in a clearly organized folder and know exactly what officials will be looking for. Delays at customs are common; being prepared minimizes how long the process takes.

Once you're through, give your pet time to decompress. Limit introductions to new spaces and people in the first few days. Familiar items—a favorite toy, their usual bed—help animals re-anchor faster. Establish feeding and walk routines immediately, as structure is one of the fastest paths back to normalcy for both dogs and cats.

How Much Does It Cost To Move Internationally With Pets?

Costs vary significantly based on your pet's size, your destination, and how much of the process you handle yourself versus outsourcing to professionals. Here's a rough breakdown of what to expect:

Veterinary and documentation fees typically run $200–$500 or more, depending on required treatments, USDA endorsement fees, and any specialist consultations.

Airline pet fees range from $100–$200 for in-cabin travel up to $500–$1,000 or more for cargo, depending on the carrier and route.

Professional pet relocation services are the biggest variable. Full-service international pet transport, including pickup, customs coordination, and delivery, can run anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000+, with some high-complexity routes costing more.

Quarantine costs, where required, are typically charged per day and can add hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the country and length of stay.

Budgeting conservatively and planning early are the two best ways to keep costs from escalating.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving to Another Country With Pets

Starting too late. The single most common mistake is underestimating how much lead time the process requires. Six months is a reasonable minimum for most destinations; more for countries with stricter protocols.

Using outdated information. Import regulations change. Always verify requirements directly with the destination country's official government agency and USDA APHIS—not secondhand sources.

Skipping the microchip step. Most countries require ISO-standard microchipping, and it must typically be implanted before the rabies vaccination to count. Reversing the order can invalidate your paperwork.

Ignoring airline breed restrictions. Many carriers restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like bulldogs and pugs from traveling in cargo due to respiratory risks. Check policies carefully before booking.

Forgetting to confirm quarantine rules. Some countries have mandatory quarantine regardless of documentation. Discovering this after arrival, without accommodations arranged, creates preventable chaos.

FAQ about Moving Internationally With Pets

How much does it cost to take your pet to another country?

Total costs for moving internationally with pets generally range from $500 to over $5,000, depending on destination requirements, the size of your pet, airline fees, and whether you use a professional relocation service. Countries with quarantine requirements add a substantial additional expense.

Can I fly internationally with my pet?

Yes, though the specifics depend on your airline, destination, and your pet's size and breed. Small pets may travel in-cabin; larger animals typically fly as cargo. Each airline has its own policies, and destination countries have their own import requirements that must be met before your pet is allowed entry.

Do any airlines allow pets to fly for free?

Very few airlines offer free pet transport, and those that do typically limit it to specific programs or service animals. Most charge fees ranging from $100 for in-cabin travel to several hundred dollars for cargo. It's worth comparing carriers, but free pet travel is the exception rather than the norm.

Is it stressful for dogs to fly?

It can be, particularly for dogs that aren't accustomed to crates or loud environments. Cargo holds are temperature-controlled and pressurized, but the noise and isolation are unfamiliar. Crate training in advance makes a meaningful difference. Dogs with significant anxiety should be evaluated by a veterinarian, who can recommend safe, travel-approved calming strategies. Most dogs handle travel better than their owners expect when they're properly prepared.