How Do You Move Internationally With a Pet?
Sep 1, 2026 / Alyssa Duranty
Moving internationally with a pet requires early planning for entry rules, veterinary appointments, travel documents, airline policies, and a carrier that fits your pet and flight. Start several months before departure because destination countries can require specific vaccinations, health certificates, identification, permits, waiting periods, and arrival procedures.
Confirm current requirements directly with your destination country, airline, veterinarian, and pet-transport provider. Create one checklist for appointments, forms, carrier requirements, flight details, and your arrival plan.
Here’s everything to consider before relocating your pet abroad.
International Pet Moving Essentials:
- Start researching destination-country pet-entry rules several months before travel.
- Confirm required vaccinations, health certificates, identification, permits, testing, and waiting periods.
- Schedule a veterinarian appointment early to discuss your pet’s travel readiness and required records.
- Review airline pet policies before booking flights.
- Choose an airline-approved carrier that fits your pet and route.
- Help your pet become familiar with the carrier before travel day.
- Keep pet supplies and travel documents with you throughout the move.
- Arrange ground transportation and a quiet first-room setup before arriving.
- Use storage only for clean, dry, permitted household items; pets, pet food, and live plants cannot go in a storage unit.
International Pet Move Planning at a Glance:
What Do You Need to Move to a New Country With a Pet?
Moving to a new country with a pet can require destination approval, veterinary documentation, vaccination records, identification details, airline confirmation, and an approved travel carrier. The exact requirements depend on the destination country, pet species, airline, route, and current regulations.
Create one pet-move folder or checklist that includes:
- Destination-country entry requirements
- Veterinarian appointment dates
- Vaccination and health-certificate information
- Import permit details, if required
- Airline booking and check-in instructions
- Carrier dimensions and airline approval details
- Ground transportation plans
- Contact information for a veterinarian near the new home
Review official destination requirements again before departure, especially if your flight route or arrival date changes.
How Early Should You Plan an International Pet Move?
Start planning an international pet move several months before departure. Some countries require vaccination timelines, laboratory testing, health certificates, or permits that cannot be completed in the final weeks before travel.
Use this planning order:
- Review destination-country pet-entry requirements.
- Schedule a veterinarian appointment.
- Confirm vaccination, testing, and documentation timelines.
- Compare airlines and pet-travel routes.
- Choose an airline-approved carrier.
- Book flights after confirming pet availability on the route.
- Arrange transportation from the airport to the new home.
- Set up a quiet arrival space for your pet.
Start earlier if your destination has extended waiting periods or if your move includes connecting flights.
How Can You Prepare a Pet for International Air Travel?
Prepare a pet for international air travel by speaking with a veterinarian, reviewing airline rules, and introducing the carrier well before travel day. Your veterinarian can help you assess your pet’s individual travel needs based on health, age, temperament, and destination requirements.
Set up the carrier at home and allow your pet to explore it during calm parts of the day. Add approved familiar items, then gradually increase the amount of time your pet spends inside the carrier.
Before travel, confirm:
- Whether your pet travels in the cabin or another designated area
- Carrier size, material, ventilation, and labeling requirements
- Airport arrival and check-in times
- Pet eligibility for the route and aircraft
- Seasonal or temperature restrictions
- Feeding and hydration guidance from your veterinarian
- Permitted items inside the carrier
How Do You Choose a Travel Carrier for a Pet?
Choose a travel carrier that meets your airline’s current requirements and gives your pet room to stand, sit, turn around, and rest. Airlines can set different requirements for in-cabin and other pet-travel arrangements.
Before purchasing a carrier, confirm:
- Maximum dimensions and weight limits
- Carrier material and ventilation requirements
- Whether the carrier fits under an aircraft seat, if applicable
- Labeling and identification requirements
- Route-specific restrictions
- Check-in and handling instructions
Measure your pet while standing and resting, then compare those measurements with the airline’s carrier requirements. Keep the carrier available at home so your pet can become familiar with it before departure.
Should You Use a Pet-Transport Service?
A pet-transport service can help coordinate an international move when destination rules, connecting flights, document timelines, or ground transportation are complex. Compare providers based on their experience with your destination, services included, communication process, and written explanation of costs.
Ask each provider:
- Which countries and pet species do they support?
- Do they coordinate airline bookings and ground transportation?
- Do they help track required forms and appointment timelines?
- What is included in the quoted price?
- How do they communicate schedule changes?
- What experience do they have with your destination country?
You can also manage the move independently when you have time to complete the required research and planning.
How Can You Help a Pet Adjust After Moving Internationally?
Help a pet adjust after an international move by setting up one quiet room with familiar bedding, toys, food and water dishes, and a designated rest area. Introduce additional rooms gradually and return to regular feeding, walking, play, and rest routines as soon as possible.
Research veterinary offices near your new address before travel. A local veterinarian can provide guidance if your pet has adjustment, health, or behavior concerns after arrival.
What Should You Pack for an International Pet Move?
Pack pet supplies in a separate travel bag that stays with you. Keep the bag organized so you can access items during travel, airport check-in, and your first days in the new home.
Confirm with the airline which items can travel in or with the carrier before packing.
How Can Storage Help During an International Move With Pets?
Storage can create more room while you prepare for an international move. Put away clean, dry, permitted household items that will not travel immediately, such as furniture, labeled boxes, seasonal clothing, and household supplies.
Public Storage gives you a place to organize household belongings while you focus on pet travel, appointments, carrier preparation, and departure logistics. Storage units are not for pets, pet food, live plants, or other prohibited items.
Plan an International Pet Move One Step at a Time.
An international pet move works best when you start early, follow destination-country rules, confirm airline requirements, and prepare a carrier your pet recognizes. Keep travel plans, veterinary appointments, and arrival details in one place so each step is easier to track.
Find a Public Storage location near your current home to reserve space for clean, dry furniture, labeled boxes, seasonal clothing, and household belongings that will not travel with you right away. Public Storage gives you room to organize your move while you keep your pet’s travel plan front and center.
A clear plan gives you more time to focus on the journey you are taking together.
International Pet Moving FAQs
How long does it take to move a pet to another country?
International pet-move timelines depend on the destination, pet species, required vaccinations, testing, permits, and flight availability. Start planning several months before departure.
Can you take a pet on an international flight?
Yes. Many airlines offer pet-travel options on selected international routes. Confirm pet eligibility, carrier requirements, route availability, and check-in procedures before booking.
What records do you need to move a pet internationally?
International pet moves can require vaccination records, identification details, health certificates, import permits, and destination-country forms. Confirm the current list with the destination country and your veterinarian.
Can pets stay in a storage unit during a move?
No. Storage units do not allow pets. Arrange for your pet to stay with you, a trusted caregiver, or a pet-care provider during the move.
Should you use a pet-transport service for an international move?
Use a pet-transport service when destination rules, travel connections, or document timelines are complex. Compare providers and confirm their services, costs, and destination experience in writing.
