Travelling abroad with a maltipoo is entirely possible — the breed is compact, handles movement well and adapts quickly to new conditions. But an international trip with a dog requires considerably more preparation than a domestic journey. Documents, deadlines, the requirements of specific countries and airlines — all of this needs to be checked well in advance, because a mistake in the paperwork can cost you a cancelled trip or a hold-up at the border. This article is a complete practical guide: which documents you need, what the EU requires, how to prepare your maltipoo for the journey and what to pack in the travel kit. For advice on organising the journey itself — by car and by plane — see our separate article Traveling with a Maltipoo: Car and Plane Trips Without Stress.

Why preparation needs to start early

Most mistakes when taking a dog abroad are not caused by ignorance of the rules but by starting the preparation too late. Some documents can be obtained within a few hours; others take weeks or even months. For example, if your maltipoo does not yet have a microchip or has not been vaccinated against rabies, and you are planning to travel in three weeks — you are already behind schedule: EU entry rules require a minimum of 21 days between the rabies vaccination and crossing the border. Start preparing at least four to six weeks before your planned departure date, and if you are travelling for the first time or to an unfamiliar country, allow two to three months.

The core document package for international travel

Microchip

A microchip is a mandatory requirement for entry into most countries in the world, including all EU member states. It must comply with the ISO 11784/11785 standard and must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination. If the microchip was implanted after the vaccination, the vaccination does not count and will need to be repeated. At MilaPoo Family all our puppies receive a microchip before being handed over to their new family. If you are buying a puppy elsewhere, check this point immediately. The microchip number must match across all of the dog’s documents.

Veterinary passport

An international veterinary passport is the dog’s primary document when crossing a border. It records the owner’s details, the microchip number, all vaccinations with dates and the veterinarian’s signatures, as well as parasite treatments. The passport must be filled in neatly, without corrections and with the stamps of the veterinary clinic. Any inaccuracies or missing entries can become grounds for a delay at the border.

Rabies vaccination

A rabies vaccination is mandatory for entry into virtually every country. For entry into EU countries the following rules apply: a minimum of 21 days must pass between the vaccination and entry, and no more than one year (or the validity period of the specific vaccine as stated in the passport). A puppy’s first rabies vaccination can only be given from 12 weeks of age. If your maltipoo is travelling abroad for the first time and has not yet been vaccinated, schedule it as soon as possible to ensure the 21-day period is met before your departure date.

Veterinary certificate or health certificate

In addition to the passport, international transport usually requires a veterinary certificate or official health certificate issued by the state veterinary authority. This document confirms that the dog is healthy at the time of departure and is not a carrier of dangerous diseases. An important detail: these certificates have a limited validity period — typically five to ten days from the date of issue. This means you need to obtain it immediately before the trip, not a month in advance. Check the requirements of your specific destination country: some countries accept a certificate issued by a private veterinary clinic, while others require a document endorsed by a state veterinary inspector.

Parasite treatment

Certain countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Finland, require mandatory treatment against echinococcosis (tapeworms) one to five days before entry, with a corresponding entry in the veterinary passport. For most EU countries this is not a mandatory requirement but is recommended. Always check the current requirements for your destination country on the official website of its embassy or veterinary authority.

EU requirements: what you need to know

Entry into EU member states with a dog from a non-EU country is governed by unified rules. They include three mandatory conditions: an ISO-standard microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a veterinary certificate in the prescribed format. The exact form of the certificate depends on the country of origin. Travellers from Ukraine entering the EU with pets complete a certificate in the format agreed between Ukraine and the EU. This is typically a form completed and signed by an official state veterinarian. Contact the state veterinary authority in your region to obtain the current form and list of requirements — rules can change, so always verify current information through official channels.

Important: if you plan to return to Ukraine after a trip to the EU, check the requirements for re-entering Ukraine from an EU country — these may also include additional treatments or documents.

Airline requirements: a separate checklist

Even if all veterinary documents are in order, an airline may have its own requirements that differ significantly from legal ones. Check these separately and always on the carrier’s official website rather than relying on forum advice — rules change frequently. Key points to verify: whether the airline permits animals in the cabin and what the weight limits are, the maximum dimensions of the carrier (usually checked together with the animal, typically around 55x40x20 cm), carrier requirements (soft-sided or hard-sided, waterproof base required), the number of animals permitted per flight and whether a seat reservation for the animal must be made in advance. Micro and super-mini maltipoos generally meet in-cabin travel requirements with ease. For more detail on preparing the carrier and navigating the airport, see the article Traveling with a Maltipoo: Car and Plane Trips Without Stress.

Popular destinations: country-specific notes

Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

EU countries with a land border or a short flight away. Requirements are standard for the EU: microchip, rabies vaccination, veterinary certificate. These countries are popular destinations and border veterinary checks are generally well-established. We recommend having a printed copy of the certificate and photocopies of all documents.

Germany, Austria, France, Spain

Requirements are standard for the EU, but when flying it is important to check the specific rules of both the airport and the airline. Some airports have separate veterinary checks for animals on arrival. Keep all documents somewhere easily accessible — you may be asked to show them both at departure and on arrival.

United Kingdom

Following Brexit, the United Kingdom left the EU’s shared system and now has its own, stricter requirements. In addition to the standard document package, mandatory treatment against echinococcosis one to five days before entry is required, and the certificate must be in the UK’s AWF format. The process takes longer to complete than for EU entry, so start preparation well in advance.

Turkey

Turkey is not an EU member and has its own requirements. A microchip, a veterinary passport with up-to-date vaccinations and a health certificate from a vet are usually sufficient. However, requirements can change, so always verify current information on the Turkish embassy website or with your airline.

A step-by-step preparation plan

Two to three months before the trip, verify the requirements of the destination country and the airline. Check whether the microchip is present and whether the rabies vaccination is current. If the puppy is young and has not yet been vaccinated, schedule it immediately, allowing for the mandatory 21-day period before entry.

Four to six weeks before the trip, make sure the veterinary passport is correctly filled in and all entries are present. Purchase or check the carrier for compliance with the airline’s requirements. Book the animal’s place on the flight.

Five to seven days before the trip, obtain the veterinary certificate or international health certificate from the state veterinary authority. Carry out the echinococcosis treatment if required by the destination country and obtain the corresponding entry in the passport.

One to two days before the trip, assemble the travel kit for the dog, check all documents one more time and make sure the carrier is ready. Let the maltipoo spend time in the carrier at home so that it feels familiar and safe.

Travel kit for an international trip

Several important items are added to the basic kit for any trip when travelling internationally. Documents: veterinary passport, international health certificate, printed copies of all documents, contact details of your vet at home. Identification: an ID tag on the collar with a current phone number and country, a GPS tracker for extra security. Comfort on the road: a blanket or a worn piece of your clothing, a familiar toy, a calming chew, a collapsible bowl and water. Hygiene: puppy pads, wet wipes, waste bags, a small supply of the usual food for a few days. On arrival at your destination, immediately set up a corner for the dog with a bed and bowl — familiar surroundings help the dog settle in faster.

Preparing your maltipoo psychologically

Documents are only one part of the preparation. The dog’s psychological readiness for the journey is equally important. Maltipoos travel well when the carrier is a familiar and safe place for them, rather than somewhere they are put only when a vet visit is coming. Start introducing the carrier well before the trip: keep it open at home, place treats and familiar items inside and let the dog go in and out on its own terms. If a maltipoo sleeps in the carrier at home, it will be considerably calmer on the road. For more on socialisation and preparing your dog for new situations, see the article Maltipoo Puppy Socialization: A Complete Guide from the First Weeks.

How we at MilaPoo Family prepare puppies for travel

All our puppies receive a microchip and a veterinary passport with vaccination records before being handed over to their new family. If you are planning to travel abroad, we will advise you in advance on which additional documents to obtain, help you draw up a list of required procedures and answer all your questions about preparation. Get in touch — all our contact details are on the Contacts page. If you are still choosing a puppy, browse our puppy catalogue, and all the documents a new family receives together with their puppy are described on the Documents page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I travel abroad with a puppy under three months old?

Technically possible, but complicated: the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and after that a further 21 days must pass before travel. This means the earliest possible departure date for a puppy is approximately 15 to 16 weeks, provided the vaccination was given on time. Also check whether the airline has any age restrictions for transporting young animals.

What if the rabies vaccination expires during the trip?

If the trip is a long one and the vaccine expires while you are abroad, check in advance whether revaccination is possible in the country you are visiting. In most EU countries this can be done at any accredited veterinary clinic. Obtain an entry in the passport and keep all documentation of the procedure.

Is pet insurance required when travelling abroad?

Mandatory pet insurance is not required for entry into most countries. However, veterinary care abroad can cost significantly more than at home. Some insurance companies offer pet policies that cover treatment costs during a trip. If you travel frequently or are planning an extended stay abroad, it is worth considering this option.

Can two maltipoos travel in one carrier?

Some airlines allow two small animals to travel in one carrier if they are from the same litter and the combined weight does not exceed the limit. Always check this directly with your carrier — rules vary considerably between airlines. Also keep in mind that each animal requires its own complete set of documents.

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