Flying with a Cat from Costa Rica to Italy — Requirements

A valid rabies vaccination is required. The cat must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination. The blood sample for the rabies antibody titre test must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.

A veterinary health certificate in EU Annex II format must be issued by an official government-authorised veterinarian in the country of origin. Must record the microchip, vaccination history, and titre test result with blood-sample date. Valid for 10 days from issue for entry into the EU.

Cats from countries not listed in EU Annex II must have a rabies antibody titre test performed by an EU-approved laboratory. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The result must be ≥0.5 IU/mL. The test result remains valid as long as vaccinations are kept current without a break in cover.

The cat must be implanted with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip before the rabies vaccination is administered.

After the blood sample is taken for the rabies antibody titre test, a mandatory 3-month (90-day) waiting period applies before the cat may enter the EU. The waiting period starts from the date the blood sample was taken, not the date the result was received.