Pet Travel - How to Prepare
Planning to take your dog or cat abroad? For hassle-free travel within the European Union, your pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport - with additional requirements for some countries.
At our clinic in Sigulda, we will prepare your pet for the journey from start to finish, all in one place.
Travel Checklist (EU)
Microchip and Registration with LDC
The chip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination; otherwise, the vaccination is not valid for travel.
Rabies Vaccination
The animal must be at least 12 weeks old. After the initial vaccination, you must wait 21 days before traveling.
EU Pet Passport
Issued at the clinic; it registers the microchip, vaccinations, and treatments.
Pre-Travel Health Check
Clinical examination and health certificate for the animal, if required by the carrier or destination country.
Echinococcus Deworming
Only for dogs and only for specific countries (see below).
Echinococcus Deworming - Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, United Kingdom
If you are traveling with a dog to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), your dog needs deworming against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis performed by a veterinarian:
The treatment must be performed 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before arrival in the destination country - no earlier and no later.
It must be performed and registered in the EU passport with date and time by a veterinarian - a tablet given at home is not sufficient.
This requirement does not apply to cats and other animals.
Plan the treatment with us - we will help you fit into the precise time window according to your departure day.
How early should you start preparing?
If the animal does not yet have a microchip and rabies vaccination - allow at least 1 month before travel: microchipping and vaccination in one visit, then a 21-day waiting period. If the microchip and valid vaccination are already in place, only the passport, health check, and (if necessary) deworming shortly before the trip remain.
For travel outside the EU, each country has its own requirements - some countries also require a rabies antibody titer test (FAVN). We take samples for this test at the clinic and send them to an accredited laboratory. Contact us in advance - we will help you find out the specific conditions of your destination and plan the analyses in time.
Prices
Full price list: view all prices
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats also need echinococcus deworming?
Travel regulations only require it for dogs - when traveling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, or the United Kingdom. If you wish, we can also perform deworming for your cat before travel as good practice, but it is not mandatory. For cats traveling within the EU, a microchip, valid rabies vaccination, and an EU passport are required.
How long is a rabies vaccination valid?
The validity period is indicated in the EU passport and depends on the vaccine used. Important: re-vaccination must be done before the previous validity expires - if the deadline is missed, the 21-day waiting period starts anew.
Can an EU passport be arranged in one visit?
If the animal already has a microchip and valid vaccination - yes, we will issue the passport on site. If not, microchipping, vaccination, and passport can be combined in one visit, but travel will only be allowed after 21 days.
What do airlines require?
Carrier requirements vary - many require a health certificate issued shortly before the flight. Find out your carrier’s rules and tell us - we will prepare the certificate during a clinical examination visit.
Prepare for your trip with your pet at our clinic
Want to travel with your pet? Call or contact us, and we will find the most suitable time.
