Flying Your Dog from the USA to Italy: Airlines, Requirements, and What to Prepare

Moving your dog from the United States to Italy takes planning that starts months before your flight date. The good news: the USA is on the EU's approved country list, which means no titer test and a straightforward paperwork path -- as long as you get the sequencing right. Here is what you need to know about choosing an airline, meeting Italy's import requirements, and avoiding the timing mistakes that delay or derail moves.

Airlines for Dog Travel from the USA to Italy

Not all airlines handle international pet cargo equally. For routes to Italy, PetRelocation most frequently works with Lufthansa, KLM, United, and British Airways. Lufthansa is our most common choice for this corridor specifically -- they operate direct transatlantic service and have a dedicated animal handling operation (Lufthansa Animal Lounge at Frankfurt) with temperature-controlled facilities.

A few things to look for when evaluating any carrier:

Pets traveling as cargo travel in a temperature- and pressure-controlled hold, separate from the passenger cabin. The best carriers load animals last and offload them first to minimize time on the tarmac. Dedicated animal handling teams and clear documentation protocols are signs of a carrier that takes the logistics seriously.

Most dogs traveling from Boston to Florence will travel as manifest cargo rather than in-cabin or as excess baggage, because of size restrictions and routing requirements. Florence (FLR) does not accept large-animal cargo directly -- dogs typically route through a major EU Border Inspection Post, most commonly Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), or Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Pets arriving as cargo must clear customs at an approved Border Control Post -- currently Rome Fiumicino (FCO) or Milan Malpensa (MXP). Confirm your routing with your airline before booking.

Airline policies on accepted breeds, crate dimensions, and seasonal temperature embargoes vary and change. Contact your chosen carrier directly, or work with a PetRelocation coordinator who manages this as part of the booking process.

Italy's Import Requirements for Dogs from the USA

Before your dog can board, the paperwork has to be right. Italy follows EU regulations for pet imports from the United States, with one Italy-specific addition that catches people off guard.

Microchip

Your dog must have an ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit, ISO 11784/11785 standard) implanted before, or on the same day as, the first rabies vaccination. Your vet must scan the chip before administering any rabies vaccine. If the chip was implanted after the vaccination, the vaccination clock resets to the implant date -- this sequencing error is the single most common cause of failed EU moves.

Rabies Vaccination

The first rabies vaccination your dog receives after microchip implantation is considered a "primary" vaccination under EU rules. After a primary vaccination, your dog must wait at least 21 days -- or the period specified by the vaccine manufacturer, which may be 30 days -- before traveling to Italy. Even if your vet administers a 3-year rabies vaccine, EU rules treat it as valid for only 1 year if it is a primary vaccination. Your dog must receive a booster within 12 months to avoid starting over.

If the most recent rabies vaccination is a valid booster (given within 12 months of the primary, with no lapse in coverage), no waiting period applies -- your dog can travel as soon as the other paperwork is ready.

No Titer Test Required

The USA is on the EU's approved country list. A rabies titer test is not required for dogs moving from the USA to Italy. Any article or resource that says otherwise is outdated.

Minimum Age

Dogs must be at least 16 weeks old to enter Italy from the USA. This accounts for the minimum age for rabies vaccination (12 weeks) plus the 21-day immunity wait period.

The EU Health Certificate -- Italy's Bilingual Version

All dogs traveling from the USA to Italy need an official EU health certificate (Annex IV), completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS before travel.

Italy requires the bilingual English/Italian version of this certificate -- not the standard English-only form. This is an Italy-specific requirement. To request the bilingual certificate, email [email protected] well in advance of your travel date. Missing this detail causes customs delays or refusal at the Italian border.

The non-commercial certificate is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it. Once USDA endorses the certificate, your dog must arrive in Italy within 10 days of the endorsement date.

The Five-Day Rule

Italy follows EU non-commercial pet movement rules. You or a designated person (family member, friend, or authorized representative) must travel within 5 days before or after your dog. If no one travels within that 5-day window, the move is classified as commercial, which requires a different certificate and a 48-hour issuance window from the vet. Most owner-accompanied moves qualify as non-commercial -- but confirm this before booking.

Breed Restrictions

Italy has no nationwide breed bans. However, all aggressive breeds must be leashed and muzzled in public and on transport. Note: Venice prohibits Rottweilers specifically. Always verify local rules for your destination city.

Timeline: Starting from Scratch

Work backward from your target departure date. Here is a realistic timeline for a dog that does not yet have a microchip or current rabies vaccination:

4 to 6 months out: Microchip your dog (if not already done), then give the primary rabies vaccination on the same vet visit or after. The microchip must be scanned before the vaccine is administered. Start the 21-day waiting clock.

3 to 5 months out: Confirm your dog's rabies vaccination is valid and the 21-day (or manufacturer-specified) immunity period has passed. Begin airline and routing research. Contact PetRelocation if you want coordination support.

4 to 6 weeks out: Book your pet's cargo space. Demand for animal cargo on transatlantic routes can be limited, especially in summer. Lufthansa and other carriers book out quickly.

Within 30 days of departure: Your USDA-accredited vet completes and issues the bilingual EU health certificate. The certificate is valid for 30 days after the vet issues it.

10 days before arrival in Italy: USDA must have endorsed the health certificate. Your dog must arrive in Italy within 10 days of the endorsement date. USDA APHIS endorsement timing varies and is not guaranteed. Plan for at least 3-5 business days, but build in more buffer if your travel date allows -- delays from shipping, APHIS office load, and courier timing can all affect turnaround. Do not schedule your vet appointment until you have confirmed your travel date, and do not book non-refundable flights until endorsement is in hand. Submit through VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) for the fastest turnaround.

For a full breakdown of Italy's pet import requirements, visit our Italy pet import guide.

What Can Go Wrong

Microchip-before-vaccine sequencing error. If your vet administers the rabies vaccine before scanning the microchip, the vaccination does not count under EU rules. You restart the clock from the date the chip was implanted and confirmed, and you lose weeks or months of timeline. Confirm this step with your vet before every vaccination visit.

Missing the bilingual certificate. Requesting the English/Italian version takes time. Do not assume your vet will have it on hand -- email [email protected] early and confirm the request is in process.

Booking cargo too late. Transatlantic animal cargo space is limited. Booking even 6 weeks out can be too late in peak travel periods.

Primary-only vaccination. If your dog's most recent rabies vaccination is a primary (no booster on record, or the booster was given after a lapse in coverage), it is only valid for 1 year under EU rules. A dog whose "3-year" vaccine has lapsed by even one day must start over with a new primary vaccination and a new 21-day wait.

How PetRelocation Can Help

PetRelocation offers three service levels depending on how much coordination you need:

Complete Support: We manage the full move -- airline booking, coordination with your vet on paperwork, USDA endorsement logistics, customs clearance on the Italy end, and delivery. This is the right option for first-time international moves or complex situations. 

Vet Paperwork Support: We guide you and your vet through the certificate process, USDA submission, and timing -- you handle the travel logistics.

Consultation: Book a one-time session with a relocation manager to map out your timeline and answer questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my dog need a titer test to enter Italy from the USA?

No. The USA is on the EU's approved country list. No titer test is required.

Can my large dog fly in the cabin from Boston to Florence?

For most dogs over 8 kg (approximately 18 lbs), in-cabin travel is not available on transatlantic routes. Your dog will travel as manifest cargo in the temperature-controlled hold.

How long does the USDA endorsement take?

USDA APHIS endorsement timing varies and is not guaranteed. Plan for at least 3-5 business days, but build in more buffer if your travel date allows. Submit through VEHCS for the fastest turnaround, and do not book non-refundable flights until endorsement is in hand.

What if my dog is a restricted breed?

Italy has no nationwide breed bans, but all aggressive breeds must be leashed and muzzled in public and on transport. Venice specifically prohibits Rottweilers. Verify local rules for your destination city before travel.