New documents for traveling with pets in the EU: what changes in 2026

Key data

Pet owners, non-commercial breeders and veterinarians managing travel certificates have a new and active obligation from March 20, 2026: to use exclusively the identification document and declaration models established by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705. The regulation was published on March 27, 2026 in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The change is not a minor bureaucratic one. Veterinary and customs authorities in all Member States will apply these documents in border controls. An incorrect or outdated model can have immediate consequences for the animal and its owner.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705 sets the approved official forms and models that must be used for two types of documents in non-commercial movements of companion animals:

• Identification documents of the companion animal
• Declarations necessary to cross EU borders

These standardized models apply to both movements within the EU and movements originating from or destined for outside the EU, provided the journey is not for commercial purposes.

The animals expressly covered by the regulation are:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Ferrets

The regulation establishes that owners and transporters must use these approved models to cross borders with their pets. Authorized veterinarians are responsible for issuing certificates using these models. Veterinary and customs authorities of the Member States will verify the documentation at border controls.

Economic and operational impact

This regulation does not establish fees or direct costs for owners. The economic and operational impact is mainly one of compliance and risk:

• For pet owners: Need to verify that their animal's documentation is up to date before any international travel. A document in an old model may be rejected at the border.
• For veterinarians: Obligation to update the certificate models they issue for international travel. Continuing to use previous models may invalidate the documents they issue and generate professional liability.
• For non-commercial breeders: Any movement of animals, even if occasional, is subject to the new models from March 20, 2026.
• Risk of non-compliance: Animal detention at the border or return to the country of origin are the direct consequences provided for by the regulation. This implies additional costs for accommodation, return transport and veterinary management.

Customs and border veterinary authorities in all Member States apply these controls uniformly, eliminating the possibility of favorable national interpretations.

Who does it affect?

• Pet owners who travel with dogs, cats or ferrets within or outside the EU for non-commercial purposes
• Veterinarians who issue certificates and travel documentation for companion animals
• Non-commercial breeders who move animals to other EU countries or outside the EU
• Border veterinary authorities of the Member States, responsible for verifying documentation
• Customs authorities of the Member States, which apply controls at border crossings
• Transporters who move companion animals in non-commercial movements

Practical example

An owner resident in Spain plans to travel in summer 2026 with his dog to France and subsequently to Switzerland (outside the EU). Before the trip, he goes to his veterinarian to update the animal's documentation.

The veterinarian must issue the identification document and declaration using the approved models established by Regulation (EU) 2026/705. If the veterinarian uses a model prior to this regulation, the documentation may be considered invalid at border controls both when entering Switzerland and when returning to the EU.

At the border control, veterinary and customs authorities verify that the documents correspond exactly to the current official models. If the documentation is not compliant, the animal may be detained or returned to the country of origin, with all the costs and procedures that this entails for the owner.

The solution is simple but requires prior action: confirm with the veterinarian that the models they use are updated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2026/705 before starting any international travel with the pet.

What should those affected do now?

1. Pet owners: Before any international travel with dogs, cats or ferrets, confirm with the veterinarian that the animal's documents are issued in the models approved by Regulation (EU) 2026/705, in force since March 20, 2026.
2. Veterinarians: Immediately review and update the models of identification documents and declarations issued for international travel. Ensure that no certificate issued from March 20, 2026 uses models prior to this regulation.
3. Non-commercial breeders: Verify that any movement of animals, even if occasional, complies with the new documentary requirements before crossing any border.
4. Companion animal transporters: Check that the documentation accompanying the transported animals corresponds to the current official models to avoid detention at the border.
5. All affected parties: Consult the official models published in the Official Journal of the EU (CELEX:32026R0705) to verify that the available documentation is compliant.