Learn · updated 2026-10-23
Bringing a dog from the UAE to the EU: 2026 rules
The UAE is on the EU's list of countries exempt from the rabies blood test, so the route is straightforward: microchip, rabies vaccine, a 21-day wait and an EU animal health certificate. The legal basis changed in 2026, but the core rules for owners did not.
What your dog needs
- A microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccine.
- A rabies vaccine given at 12 weeks or older; it becomes valid 21 days after the primary vaccination.
- An EU animal health certificate issued by an official vet (or an authorised vet, then endorsed), used within 10 days of issue.
- A signed owner declaration that the move is non-commercial. You travel with your dog, or within 5 days of it.
- Entry through a designated travellers' point of entry for document and ID checks.
Going to Finland, Ireland or Malta
Dogs also need a vet tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before entry, recorded on the certificate.
After you arrive
The certificate stays valid for onward travel to other EU countries for 6 months from the entry checks, or until the rabies vaccine expires, whichever is sooner.
Sources
- European Commission: Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country
- European Commission: Listing of non-EU countries
Rules change. Confirm your plan with your vet and the destination authority before booking.
Full step-by-step guide: UAE to European Union