Moving Birds and Parrots to the EU

To pet move birds to the EU can be a very lengthy and expensive process, so make sure to plan ahead and do plenty of pet friendly research.  Below is a brief overview of steps that need to be taken to ensure a successful relocation for your avian friend.

The first, and most important step involved, concerns determining whether your particular bird falls under the regulations put in place by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (aka CITES).  This is an international agreement between governments aimed to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants.  If your bird does fall under this umbrella, you will need to apply for the necessary import and/or export permits provided by your country's government wildlife authority.

Once these documents are received and you have set your sites on a travel date, your bird will need to undergo a mandatory 30 day pre-export "quarantine" period under the supervision of a government accredited veterinarian.  This means that your bird will have to stay at an approved location, such as a quarantine facility or a government approved vet's office.  This step is mandatory unless you make arrangements for your bird to go straight into a 30 day quarantine upon arrival in the EU.

As you get closer to the date of departure, you will then need to have an EU Vet Health Certificate completed by a government approved veterinarian and then endorsed by your government veterinary authority.  This certificate is only valid for 10 days, so make sure not to get it issued too early.

Once all of the above steps are completed, you're ready to go!  Happy travels!