Moving Abroad with Pets: The Complete Country-by-Country Guide (2026)

# Moving Abroad with Pets: The Complete Country-by-Country Guide (2026) You've researched visas. You've done the cost-of-living math. You've even told your landlord you're leaving. And then someone asks: *"What about your dog?"* For a surprising number of Americans, that question is the one that stalls — or kills — the whole plan. Not the bureaucracy, not the housing search, not figuring out healthcare. The pet logistics. It doesn't have to be that way. Moving abroad with pets is absolutely manageable. Dogs and cats make the move every day. But it requires a specific kind of preparation: the right vaccines in the right order, the right paperwork signed by the right people, and ideally eight or more weeks of lead time. Miss a step and you could be turned away at the border or face an unexpected quarantine. This guide covers everything you need to know — from universal US-side prep to country-by-country requirements for seven of the most popular expat destinations. Your pet is coming with you. Let's make sure it goes smoothly.

How your pet travels is as important as where they're going. Here's what you need to know: ### In-Cabin Small pets (typically under 20 lbs including carrier) can often fly in the cabin with you. Fees range from **$50–$200 each way**. This is the safest option — you can monitor your pet throughout the flight. Most US carriers allow one in-cabin pet per passenger. **Breed restrictions:** Many airlines prohibit brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Persian cats, and others from flying in-cabin or cargo due to respiratory risks. Check your specific airline's breed list — it's not standardized. ### Cargo Larger pets must travel as checked baggage or cargo, in an airline-approved hard-sided carrier. Fees range from **$200–$600 each way**. Cargo is stressful for animals and carries more risk — temperature exposure, rough handling, delays. **Avoid cargo when possible.** If cargo is unavoidable, book direct flights, avoid extreme weather seasons, and fly in the early morning or evening. ### Pet-Friendly Airlines and Routes - **Aeromexico**, **Copa Airlines**, and **Avianca** allow pets in-cabin on many Latin American routes - **TAP Air Portugal** allows small pets in-cabin to Europe - **United**, **American**, and **Delta** vary by route — always confirm directly with the airline before booking - Some routes (especially Costa Rica) have restrictions on which airlines accept in-cabin pets **Pro tip:** Book your pet's spot when you book your ticket — spots are limited and sell out, especially in-cabin. ### 🇵🇹 Portugal **Quarantine:** None **Prep time:** 4–8 weeks Portugal is consistently one of the top expat destinations — and good news, it's very manageable for pet owners, even though it's in the EU and requires a bit more paperwork. **Requirements:** - ISO 15-digit microchip (implanted before rabies vaccine) - Rabies vaccine (current, must be administered after microchip) - EU-compliant health certificate / EU Pet Passport (issued by your USDA-accredited vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS) - Tapeworm treatment for dogs (required if traveling through the UK, not applicable for direct US–Portugal flights) **The EU Pet Passport:** Portugal uses the EU Pet Passport scheme, which means your pet gets an official EU-format health document that serves as their "passport" for moving within the EU going forward. Once you're in Portugal, traveling to Spain, France, or Greece with your pet is much simpler. **Pet-friendly highlights:** - Lisbon has numerous off-leash parks and dog-friendly beaches (many beaches allow dogs outside summer peak season) - Porto has a strong dog-culture in neighborhoods like Foz and Cedofeita - Most parks allow leashed dogs; café culture is growing more pet-tolerant **Notes:** The 4–8 week timeline is mostly about scheduling the USDA endorsement process and ensuring vaccine timing is correct. TAP Air Portugal allows small pets in-cabin. ### 🇨🇷 Costa Rica **Quarantine:** None **Prep time:** 2–4 weeks Costa Rica (known locally as "Pura Vida") has a healthy expat community and is relatively straightforward for pet imports — with one wrinkle worth knowing about. **Requirements:** - Rabies vaccine (current) - Distemper vaccine (current) - SENASA-endorsed health certificate (SENASA is Costa Rica's agricultural authority; your US vet must issue the cert, and it must be endorsed by USDA APHIS) - Health certificate issued within **10 days** of travel **The airline wrinkle:** Some major US carriers don't allow pets in-cabin on US–Costa Rica routes (particularly American Airlines). This means larger pets, or travelers on certain carriers, may be forced into cargo. Research your specific airline and route carefully before booking. **Pet-friendly highlights:** - Escazú and Santa Ana (suburbs of San José) are popular with expats and have good veterinary infrastructure - The Central Valley has a growing number of dog parks and pet-friendly businesses - Warm weather year-round is a big plus for most pets ### 🇪🇨 Ecuador **Quarantine:** None **Prep time:** 3–5 weeks Ecuador is often overlooked by expats, but Cuenca in particular has a thriving American retiree community — and the pet import process is manageable. **Requirements:** - Rabies vaccine (current) - Distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, and leptospirosis vaccines (current) - **AGROCALIDAD health certificate** — your US vet issues the cert in the AGROCALIDAD-required format, endorsed by USDA APHIS - Health certificate within **10 days** of travel - Must clear through **airport veterinary inspection** upon arrival at Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) **The airport inspection:** This is worth preparing for. Ecuador requires an actual vet inspection at the port of entry. Have all original documents (not copies) organized and ready. The inspection is typically brief if paperwork is complete, but missing documents can cause significant delays. **Pet-friendly highlights:** - Cuenca is walkable and has numerous parks where dogs are welcome - The climate (spring-like year-round) is comfortable for most breeds - Veterinary costs are very reasonable

Budget for these pet relocation costs before you finalize your move: | Item | Estimated Cost | |------|---------------| | USDA-accredited vet exam + health certificate | $150–$350 | | USDA APHIS endorsement fee | $38 per endorsement (official fee) | | Required vaccines (if not current) | $50–$200 | | Import permits (Panama/Colombia/Ecuador) | $0–$100 | | Airline fee — in-cabin | $50–$200 each way | | Airline fee — cargo | $200–$600 each way | | Carrier/crate (if needed) | $50–$250 (one-time) | | **Total estimated range** | **$350–$1,500+** | The biggest variable is whether your pet can fly in-cabin. For small pets flying to Mexico or Colombia, total costs can be quite reasonable. For large dogs going to Greece via cargo, budget toward the higher end.

The pet logistics are the *how*. The destination is the *where* — and that decision deserves just as much care. **Not sure which country is right for you?** Take our free relocation quiz to get matched with your best-fit destination based on budget, lifestyle, visa options, and yes — how pet-friendly the country is. 👉 **[Take the GoMoveAbroad Quiz →]** Or dive straight into our country guides: *This article provides general information for educational purposes only. Pet import requirements change frequently — always verify current requirements directly with your destination country's agricultural authority and your airline before traveling. GoMoveAbroad is not responsible for changes in government policy or airline rules after publication. Last verified: March 2026.*