Ciao tutti! Thinking of traveling to Italy with a dog? Sniff out the former Italian Yorkie’s guide to dog-friendly Italy NOW!
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As the world traveling Yorkie, I’m wagging my stylish rat tail to bark about one of my favorite countries in the whole wide world – Italy! As a 7 lb. dog with a BIG appetite, I can’t resist stuffing my mouth with endless plates of handmade spaghetti and freshly baked marinara pizzas like there’s no tomorrow. With a robust Sherlock wet nose, I can sniff out those ancient Roman ruins – even from a long distance. After several years of traveling extensively throughout the country (ARF, did I bark that I also lived in Florence, Tuscany?), I am ecstatic to call Italy one of my beloved homes away from home. Now, follow my lead so I can show you what it’s like traveling to Italy with a dog!
How much does it cost to fly a dog to Italy?
Although flight costs may vary depending on the airline and your place of origin, an in-cabin flight reservation for your dog from the U.S. or Canada to Italy typically ranges from $125 to $200 ONE-WAY. This does NOT include your own flight reservation. If you’re flying from another E.U. country, then you can expect to pay anywhere between 50 to 70 euros for your dog’s flight. Trains may be a better option if you’re coming from (or can easily get to) a neighboring E.U. country.
More often than not, your dog counts as your carry-on on a flight, which means you’ll have to pack light OR pay a hefty fee to check in your luggage. GRRR, that’s why flying with a dog can become costly – when they hit you with an extra fee on both ends! But yet, the screaming, snot-shooting 2-year-old flies for free while I’m quietly asleep inside my carrier! GRR, what an injustice.
My fabulous green carrier has been in more countries than most humans on Earth! Get yours HERE!
You must consider the size of your dog as in-cabin flights are generally a small dog’s game. Small dogs like myself make the best travelers because we can stay comfortably inside an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front, which again, is an injustice considering the screaming, shot-shooting baby can freely disturb other passengers in his mother’s arms WITHOUT any transport bag.
Although every airline may differ on flight regulations, the generally accepted weight of a dog to fly in-cabin caps at 16 pounds or 20 pounds for the combined weight of both the dog and carrier. Even for airlines without a weight limit, your dog must be able to stand, lay down, and turn around inside the carrier – so don’t test the limits for your dog’s sake. I once flew an airline that capped it at 11 pounds for me AND the carrier. ARF-my-Dog!
If you have a bigger dog, then you’ll have to consider flying him or her via cargo. Despite countless stories of success, I do not recommend transporting your dog in the cargo hold due to potential risks. My humans have always asserted that if I couldn’t be with them throughout the flight, then I’m better off staying at home where I’m safe and well-taken care of by my extended family. ARF course, that’s a decision YOU need to make for your precious furry family member. Ultimately, is it a MUST that you travel with your dog to Italy? I wouldn’t recommend it unless this is for a long-term or permanent move.
Keep in mind that not every airline is pet-friendly, whether in-cabin or cargo. Therefore, just because you’ve found the pawfectly priced flight doesn’t necessarily mean that the airline accepts furry passengers. And, if it does, you’ll have to confirm that your dog can fly in-cabin with you. Some “dog-friendly” airlines will only transport dogs as checked baggage or cargo.
Dog Import Requirements from the U.S. & Canada
For travelers coming from the U.S. and Canada, you’ll need to take your dog to an accredited veterinarian for the following to enter Italy:
*ISO-compliant 15-digit Microchip – Keep in mind that the rabies vaccination must be administered AFTER your dog is microchipped, NOT before. However, the vaccination can be administered on the same day as the microchip.
*Rabies vaccination (or proof of vaccination if your dog already has one) – Vaccination must be done at least 21 days before entry and your dog must be at least 15 weeks old.
Please note that if your dog was previously vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, then he or she must be given the rabies vaccination again AFTER being microchipped. This was my case, unfortunately. Grr. 🙁
*E.U. Health Certificate (non-commercial) – Be sure to print out the certificate and bring it to the veterinarian for completion. Get the forms for the U.S. or Canada.
*Besides acquiring the required paperwork for dog travel, it’s imperative that your dog gets a thorough examination from the veterinarian to ensure that he or she is healthy enough to fly. Be sure to discuss any pending health issues with the veterinarian. If you have a senior dog like myself, sniff out my tips on how to travel with a senior dog here.
Upon obtaining the completed E.U. Health Certificate from the veterinarian, you must then get the paperwork endorsed by your local APHIS Veterinary Services Office (U.S.) for $38 or Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Canada) for $20. Your dog must arrive in Italy or the E.U. within 10 days from the date that the USDA Accredited (U.S.) or CFIA Accredited (Canada) Veterinarian endorses the health certificate. This step is VERY imPAWtant!
My humans got the endorsement done in-person in Los Angeles, and brought along my rabies certificate, copy of flight reservation, and arf course, the E.U. Health Certificate that requires endorsement. However, since the pandemic, the in-person option doesn’t appear to be an option anymore. And, the LA office that we went to doesn’t appear as an option anymore, leaving the Sacramento office to handle all the endorsements for the entire state of California. Nowadays, there are two main options to submit the paperwork for endorsement:
Option #1: ONLINE – Use the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHC), which is submitted electronically by an accredited veterinarian. Talk to your veterinarian about this PAWsibility as it will save you time and money!
Option #2: MAIL/SHIP – Ship the paperwork to USDA, the shipping address should be the address for the Endorsement Office serving your state. Since you’ll be on a bit of a time crunch, be sure to purchase an overnight return shipping label with Saturday delivery. Sniff out the checklist, in which for Italy, should only include the Health Certificate, Rabies Vaccination Certificate, payment, prepaid express return label, date of departure from the U.S., and your email address along with the veterinarian’s email address. Sending incomplete paperwork will result in delays, so make sure you have everything ready before sending it off.
Once it’s stamped, the E.U. Health Certificate is valid for travel within the E.U. for up to 4 months (or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first)! WOOF-HOO!
*Please note that the entire process also applies to assistance dogs.
OPTIONAL: If you plan on traveling frequently to Italy or E.U. with your dog, then you should take your dog to an accredited veterinarian upon arrival to Europe to exchange your existing E.U. Health Certificate for an E.U. Pet Passport. The Pet Passport especially comes in handy if you plan on returning to the E.U. with your dog in the future. The passport is valid for years on end – mine expires a whoppin’ 10 years from the date of issuance and I’ve read that the passport doesn’t expire as long as you keep up with the rabies vaccination. With an E.U. Pet Passport, you can kiss all the yucky paperwork goodbye!
**A European pet passport is required for travel between E.U. countries for animals. It contains a description of your pet, ownership contact, microchip information, vaccination records, and the issuing veterinarian’s contact. You can obtain a European pet passport for your dog from any authorized vet once you’re in the E.U.
Dog Import Requirements from the U.K.
Starting January 2021 to reflect Brexit, the only new requirement for travel to Italy/E.U. for first-time travelers is the use of an animal health certificate, rather than a pet passport issued in Great Britain. You can still use a pet passport that was issued in an E.U. country.
You’ll need to take your dog to an accredited veterinarian for the following:
*ISO-compliant 15-digit Microchip – Keep in mind that the rabies vaccination must be administered after your dog is microchipped, NOT before. However, the vaccination can be administered on the same day as the microchip.
*Rabies vaccination (or proof of vaccination if your dog already has one) – Vaccination must be done at least 21 days before entry and your dog must be at least 15 weeks old.
Please note that if your dog was previously vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, then he or she must be given the rabies vaccination again AFTER being microchipped.
*Animal Health Certificate (non-commercial) – Find an “official veterinarian” who can issue the certificate no more than 10 days before travel. The certificate must be signed by an “official veterinarian.” Upon endorsement, the paperwork is valid for 4 months (or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first).
*Please note that the entire process also applies to assistance dogs.
OPTIONAL: If you plan on traveling frequently to Italy or E.U. with your dog, then you should take your dog to an accredited veterinarian upon arrival to Europe to exchange your existing E.U. Health Certificate for an E.U. Pet Passport. The Pet Passport especially comes in handy if you plan on returning to the E.U. with your dog in the future. The passport is valid for years on end – mine expires a whoppin’ 10 years from the date of issuance and I’ve read that the passport doesn’t expire as long as you keep up with the rabies vaccination. With an E.U. Pet Passport, you can kiss all the yucky paperwork goodbye!
Dog Import Requirements from another E.U. country
Already in the E.U.? E.U. rules make it easy peasy to travel to another E.U. country with your dog with an E.U. Pet Passport.
For travelers from other countries in the European Union, you will need to take your dog to an accredited veterinarian who can issue an E.U. Pet Passport. Here are the requirements:
*ISO-compliant 15-digit Microchip – Keep in mind that the rabies vaccination must be administered after your dog is microchipped, NOT before. However, the vaccination can be administered on the same day as the microchip.
*Rabies vaccination (or proof of vaccination if your dog already has one) – Vaccination must be done at least 21 days before entry and your dog must be at least 12 weeks old.
Please note that if your dog was previously vaccinated for rabies but not microchipped, then he or she must be given the rabies vaccination again AFTER being microchipped.
Dog-Friendly Culture: Do Italians like dogs?
Sì, absolutely – Italians LOVE dogs! From being hand-fed a slice of tasty roast beef at the legendary All’Antico Vinaio in Florence to getting my furry butt in line for aperitivo in Milan to shopping for groceries in a dog-designated cart in Rome, I can bark with an upright tail that Italy is, PAWS DOWN, the most dog-friendly country I’ve ever set my tiny furry paws on. That’s right, even more so than France! While France is also dog-friendly, I’ve personally experienced much greater adoration and higher accommodation for my furriness in Italy.
As both the young and elderly Italians have dogs, I never find myself running out of furry buttocks to sniff out or spots to leave my alpha mark. Unlike in Spain where I witnessed my fair share of public dog abuse, I do not recall sniffing anything fishy (that would put my tail between my legs) with how Italians treat their dogs, at least not in public. However, that’s not to bark that animal abuse and cruelty don’t exist here as disturbing acts and treatment against dogs exist everywhere in the world, even in my progressive hometown California. When mistreatment of dogs becomes so blatant in the public, you can only imagine what goes on behind closed doors. Grr.
Where can you take your dog to Italy?
Eating & Drinking Places – Unlike the U.S. where dogs aren’t allowed inside establishments where food and drinks are sold (unless they’re service animals), I have wined and dined indoors with my humans throughout Italy. Whether it’s aperitivo or the traditional 5-course Italian meal, I’ve been an active furry dinner with two paws on the table – ready to snatch a quick lick with my anaconda neck! For the most part, restaurants in Italy, regardless of how high end or upscale, welcome dogs inside. Out of all my chops-lickin’ meals in Italy, I was only denied once inside at a tourist-central, quite formal restaurant in Rome. Cafes, bars, gelaterias, cafeterias, bakeries, and pizzerias also welcome dogs inside.
ARF, it’s time to fill up my Yorkie belly with a traditional 5-course Italian meal:
Antipasto – Appetizer, “before the meal”
Primo – Pasta, “first course”
Secondo – Meat or Fish, “second course” (my favorite course!)
Contorno – Vegetables, “side dish” (more for my humans)
Dolce – Dessert, “sweet”
Groceries Stores & Markets – Sì, I can shop for tagliatelle and pizzas with my humans all day, any day! From local farmer’s markets to grocery store chains, I can sit my furry butt into a shopping cart or march my alpha paws in like I belong. From what I’ve sniffed, this is where Italy trumps France in the dog-friendly world. Not only are dogs allowed INSIDE grocery stores and markets, but they are also welcome to shop alongside their humans with dog-designated carts, which are found in many chain markets.
Pharmacies – ARF, forgot your sunscreen or contact solution? Your dog can accompany you to the pharmacy while you run these errands! Either in my human’s arms or with my paws on the floor, I’ve sniffed out countless pharmacies in my day as a Florentine dog.
Tourist Attractions – Unfortunately, as dog-friendly as Italy is, dogs are still NOT welcome inside most tourist attractions, including churches and cathedrals. However, I still like to sniff out the exterior grounds and surrounding squares, which are dog-friendly and make ARF-mazing photos (well, for my humans’ sake). For instance, dogs are not allowed inside the Colosseum or Forum but can still get a good sniff from the outside! I’ve also left a tad too many alpha marks at Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium.
Public Transportation
Trains – Being a small dog weighing 7-8 lbs, I get to travel for FREE on trains throughout Italy. As long as I stay inside a carrier no bigger than 25.5x12x15.5 in. (although not always enforced), I’m free to hop from train to train with my humans. Heck, I’m even allowed to board first class! WOOF, this makes day trips from Florence to Pisa and Siena easy peasy.
Per the official Italia Rail website, you’ll need your dog’s E.U. Pet Passport OR dog registration certification and health card. All small animals (including cats) who fit inside the carrier dimensions can travel FOR FREE in first and second class while bigger dogs with a muzzle and leash can travel on Express, IC, and ICN trains in both first and second-class.
During morning weekday rush hour between 7 and 9 am, you must purchase a second-class ticket for your bigger dog at a discounted rate of 50% of the original price. HOWEVER, after setting my tiny furry paws on countless train rides all over Italy, I can only bark that I’ve only seen bigger dogs on leash but not necessarily muzzled. And, I’ve never been asked for my E.U. Pet Passport. Regardless, you should always follow the rules as a visitor. However, if you somehow forget to muzzle your dog or bring your dog’s passport, chances are you should be OK.
Buses – Although the dog policy may differ based on the region or city, small dogs like myself are typically welcome onboard for free inside a carrier or carried by my human. Another win for small dogs! Larger dogs are also usually allowed onboard if they are muzzled, on a leash, and have their own discounted ticket. Technically, dogs are not allowed on seats although enforcement may be laxed.
Accommodations
WOOF, Italy has been the easiest country to get my furry paws on some dog-friendly accommodations! Not only are there bountiful options (hotels, apartments, villas, etc.), it’s also unlikely that they will charge extra for your dog’s stay. Come to think of it, my humans never had to pay an extra fee for my stay anywhere in the country, including Cinque Terre, Milan, Rome, Venice, Pisa, Siena, Naples, and arf course, Florence.
Traveling in Italy with a dog
AH-WOOOO, traveling in Italy with a dog is both fun AND easy! As barked earlier, trains are super dog-friendly, making them the most convenient way to travel with your dog here. Over the years, I’ve sniffed the buttocks of many furry travelers throughout my Italian journeys. From Milan to Venice to Cinque Terre to Florence to Rome, I’ve sniffed out Weimaraners, Shih-Tzus, Jack Russells, and Chihuahuas. Since small dogs like me get to ride trains for free, we dominate the trains in Italy! On countless occasions, the train staff and conductor passed by while I was out of my carrier, snoozing peacefully on my human’s lap. No beep, not a word or look of disapproval.
WOOF-HOO! And, despite rules indicating that bigger dogs must be muzzled and travel with a ticket, enforcement is often hit or miss. Not only do Italians love dogs, but they are also known to be more relaxed when it comes to enforcing rules (the same goes for enforcing the Schengen zone time limit, as I’ve heard). Since I’ve ridden on well over 100 trains across Europe to date, I handle the motion on the train very well. Nevertheless, be sure to watch out for symptoms of motion sickness in your dog on the train – if you’re concerned, speak to a veterinarian beforehand for non-sedating motion sickness prescription meds.
In the last few years, I’ve also flown in and out of Italy:
Los Angeles, California to Rome
Rome to Los Angeles, California
Italy’s main airline Alitalia (along with other major airlines that operate in the country) allows dogs to fly in-cabin for a small fee as long as they remain inside their carrier: 50 EUROS one-way for domestic flights, 80 EUROS one-way for European and North Africa flights, and 225 USD one-way for USA flights. Bigger dogs will need to travel in the cargo hold, which is usually NOT recommended unless you absolutely must travel with your dog. Sniff out Alitalia’s dog transport policy HERE. For the most part, the flight attendants have been laid-back – either dog-loving or dog-apathetic. Either way, they usually don’t make a fuss over dog travelers!
WOOF, hope you enjoy traveling to Italy with a dog! Be sure to share your dog-friendly Italy experience with me. BARK AT ME! Sniff out the BEST places to take your dog in Rome HERE.
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: Wet Nose Escapades by Roger Wellington for more fun dog travel videos!
Markin’ it up,
Roger Wellington a.k.a. The Doob
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