Moving abroad with pets: the complete guide for relocating families

For many internationally mobile families, pets are not an afterthought. They are family members, and the question of whether a relocation is feasible, or which destination is possible, can depend entirely on whether the family's animals can come too. We have moved with our cats. We know what that process involves, how far in advance it needs to start, and how much it affects the cost and complexity of the whole move. This guide is written from that experience.

The honest starting point is this: relocating internationally with pets is entirely achievable, but it requires more lead time, more paperwork, and more careful planning than almost any other aspect of a family move. The families who find it stressful are almost always the ones who started too late or underestimated the documentation requirements. The families who manage it smoothly are the ones who treated pet logistics as a priority, not an afterthought.

Before you choose your destination: understand the pet entry rules first

This is not a step that comes after the destination decision. For families with pets, it needs to be part of the destination decision itself.

Some countries make importing pets genuinely difficult. Some make it prohibitively expensive. A small number effectively prohibit it for practical purposes. And the rules vary not just by country but by the country of origin, the species, the breed, and the vaccination history of the animal. A cat moving from France to Portugal faces a completely different process from a cat moving from South Africa to Australia.

Before you commit to a destination, answer these questions specifically for your pets and your origin country. Can your pet legally enter? Is quarantine required, and if so for how long? Are there breed restrictions that might affect your dog? Is the process achievable within your move timeline? Understanding the answers to these questions before you sign a lease or accept a job offer saves an enormous amount of difficulty later.

Countries with the strictest pet entry rules

Australia

Australia has some of the most stringent pet import rules in the world. For pets from Group 3 countries including the mainland United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most of Europe, cats and dogs usually face a minimum 30-day quarantine. That 180-day pre-export preparation period is the detail that catches most families off guard. You need to start the Australian pet import process at least six to eight months before your planned move date.

Australia also bans certain breeds entirely, including the dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, Japanese tosa, American pit bull terrier, and Presa Canario, as well as certain non-domestic cat hybrids. If you have one of these breeds, Australia is not a viable destination.

New Zealand

New Zealand's requirements are similarly strict. The process requires microchipping, rabies vaccination, treatment for parasites, a rabies titre test, and government-issued health certificates. Quarantine applies on arrival for most origin countries. Preparation needs to begin months in advance.

Japan

For all countries importing pets to Japan, owners must notify the authorities at least 40 days in advance. The process involves two rabies vaccinations, a titre test, microchipping, and a waiting period of 180 days after the titre test before the animal can enter.

Singapore

Whether quarantine is required when entering Singapore depends on the pet's country of origin. For Schedule I countries including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, no quarantine is required. Singapore's rules are well-documented and consistently applied.

Hawaii

Hawaii is rabies-free and enforces its own strict quarantine program, separate from mainland US rules. Pets that do not meet the direct airport release criteria face a quarantine period of up to 120 days. Start the Hawaii process at least five months before your move.

Countries that effectively prohibit certain pets

Some countries ban specific breeds regardless of origin. Qatar and the UAE ban several breeds including pit bulls, rottweilers, and mastiffs. Verify the destination's breed policy before making any other decisions.

Countries with straightforward pet entry

Most EU countries, as well as Canada, Mexico, most of Latin America, and many African countries, have manageable pet entry requirements. Within the EU, the pet passport system means that a properly vaccinated, microchipped pet can move between member states without quarantine.

Cabin versus cargo: how your pet travels on the plane

In the cabin

Cabin travel is typically limited to small cats and dogs in a carrier that fits under the seat. There is usually a limit of one pet per passenger, and frequently a limit of one or two pets per cabin class.

This is where our own experience is directly relevant. When we moved with our two cats, we were flying business class. The airline allowed only one animal per person in business class, and only one animal per flight in business class overall. The result was that our two cats had to travel on separate flights, which meant one of us flying separately as well. This affected cost, stress, and the entire planning of the move in ways we had not anticipated. Verify the exact policy with the airline before booking anything else.

In the hold

Larger pets typically travel in the climate-controlled hold as excess baggage or manifest cargo. The crate must meet IATA standards and must be the right size for your pet. Brachycephalic breeds face additional restrictions across most airlines.

Seasonal embargoes

Many airlines enforce seasonal pet embargoes driven by extreme heat and animal safety risks. If your move is planned for summer months, check whether your intended airline and route have seasonal restrictions in place.

The documentation process: what it involves and why it takes months

Microchipping

Microchipping is the foundation of everything else. The microchip must be implanted before any vaccinations are given for the purposes of the move.

The pet passport

A pet passport ties your pet's identity, microchip number, vaccination history, and health certificates together into a single document recognised by authorities at the destination. Without this document, your pet will not be accepted for travel.

Rabies vaccination and titre testing

The titre test is the step that extends the timeline most significantly. It involves drawing a blood sample, sending it to an approved laboratory, waiting for results, and then waiting a further period, often 90 to 180 days, before the animal is eligible to travel. This waiting period cannot be shortened. Plan for a minimum of six months from starting the titre test process to being ready to travel.

Import and export permits

Many countries require both an export permit from the country you are leaving and an import permit from the country you are entering. There are specialist vets who offer this as a service, handling the permit applications on your behalf.

Health certificate

Most destinations require a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 7 to 14 days of travel. If your travel date changes, you may need a new one.

Working with a pet relocation specialist

For complex moves, working with a specialist pet relocation company is strongly worth considering. Professional pet relocation services typically charge between €1,000 and €5,000 per animal. For moves to Australia or New Zealand, the total cost including quarantine facility fees can reach €5,000 to €10,000 per animal.

Settling your pet into the new home

Keep routines as consistent as possible in the early weeks. For cats, confining them to one or two rooms initially gives them time to build familiarity. Register with a local vet in the first week of arrival.

Where to start

Our free 120-step family relocation checklist includes the key pet-related tasks organised within the broader move timeline. And when you are ready to go deeper, the Global Relocation System covers the full logistics of an international family move, including the pet process, in a structured framework built from lived experience.