The Latin America–Europe corridor is one of the most requested pet transport routes — and one of the most confusing. The European Union has one of the strictest animal import frameworks in the world, and the certification system used in Latin America does not automatically align with what Europe requires.
This guide covers every requirement, in the correct order, with the timelines that actually matter.
The core challenge: Latin American and European systems don't align on their own
The documentation issued by SENASA in Argentina, the SAG in Chile, or the SENASICA in Mexico certifies that the animal is healthy according to each country's standards. But the European Union requires documentation in a specific format, with a particular certification chain, that goes beyond the local certificate.
The good news: once you understand how the two systems connect, the process is manageable. The bad news: there are no shortcuts. A missing step means the dog cannot enter.
Step 1: the ISO microchip — verify it before everything else
The EU requires an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, the 15-digit standard. Most microchips implanted in Latin America in recent years comply with this standard, but not all.
Ask your vet to scan and confirm your dog's chip standard before starting any other procedure. If your dog has a chip in a different standard, the options are: implant a second ISO chip (the simplest approach) or check if the original chip has any equivalence recognized by the EU (less reliable).
The microchip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccine for the vaccination to be valid for the EU. This is the most common sequencing error.
Step 2: the rabies vaccine — sequence matters
- The vaccine must be administered AFTER the ISO microchip is confirmed.
- The vaccine must be current at the time of travel.
- Some EU countries require the vaccine to be at least 30 days old at the time of entry. Verify the specific requirements for your destination country.
- If the previous vaccine expired or the dog was never vaccinated, the clock resets — minimum 30-day wait before traveling to certain destinations.
Step 3: the official health certificate for the EU
Here is the most frequent and most costly mistake. The EU requires an official health certificate issued on a specific form — it is not a letter from your regular vet, even if it covers the same information. The form and the endorsement chain matter.
The certificate must be:
- Issued on the official form recognized by the EU for importation from third countries.
- Signed by a vet accredited by your country's official authority.
- Endorsed or legalized by that official authority (SENASA, SAG, ICA, etc.).
- Issued within the 10 days prior to travel.
The specific form varies according to your country's official authority and the agreements in force with the EU. Verify with your country's authority which form is correct for the specific European destination you are traveling to.
Step 4: legalization by the official authority
Once the certificate is signed by the accredited vet, it must be presented to your country's official authority for legalization or endorsement. This step adds between 2 and 7 business days to the process, depending on the authority and the time of year.
Given that the certificate has a 10-day validity window from the vet's signature, the arithmetic is: schedule the vet appointment with enough lead time for legalization to complete before the 10 days expire, but not so early that the certificate expires before you arrive in Europe.
The UK is different — an important distinction
Since Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the EU pet travel framework. Entering the UK from Latin America requires different documentation:
- Specific form approved by DEFRA (the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
- A current rabies vaccine.
- Antiparasitic treatment (tapeworm treatment) administered by an accredited vet between 24 and 120 hours before arriving in Great Britain. This requirement surprises many families — it cannot be done at the airport.
If your destination is Germany, France, Spain, or another EU country, follow the European process described above. If it is the United Kingdom, confirm the current DEFRA requirements.
Popular destinations within the EU
Spain
Follows the standard EU framework. Spain is one of Europe's most pet-friendly countries: dogs are welcome in many restaurants, shops, and public spaces. Documents in Spanish from Latin America often facilitate interaction with local veterinary authorities.
Germany
Follows the standard EU framework. There are no additional breed restrictions at the federal level, although some states (Bundesländer) have their own regulations for certain breeds. Verify the rules for the specific state you are going to.
France
Follows the standard EU framework. No additional antiparasitic treatment is required (unlike the UK). Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris has well-organized veterinary services for receiving animals.
Italy
Follows the standard EU framework. Animals are welcome in Italy, although specific rules by city or region for access to public spaces vary.
Timeline for the move from Latin America to Europe
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 10–12 weeks before | Verify ISO microchip, rabies vaccine status, identify accredited vet for international certificate |
| 8 weeks before | Rabies vaccine if booster is needed, begin crate acclimatization |
| 4–6 weeks before | Book transport service, confirm airline, purchase IATA-compliant crate |
| 10–14 days before | Appointment with accredited vet for official EU health certificate |
| 7–10 days before | Legalization of certificate by the country's official authority |
| 3–5 days before | Receive legalized certificate, assemble crate documentation package |
| 24–48 hours before | Final review, last meal 6 hours before, exercise, freeze water dispenser |
What to expect at European customs
At the European point of entry, an official veterinary officer inspects the microchip (with a reader), the legalized certificate, and the vaccination history. If everything is in order, the process is quick.
If there is any discrepancy — an error in the certificate, a vaccine that appears expired, a microchip that doesn't match — the dog may be held for additional inspection or, in extreme cases, directed to quarantine. Correct preparation makes this completely avoidable.
Planning a move from Latin America to Europe? This is one of the corridors we handle most. Tell us your destination and timeline and we'll map the exact process for you.
