f your pet had a passport, where would it be stamped most often? We crunched the numbers from our 2026 pet travel inquiries — over 16,000 requests and counting — to reveal where pet owners are planning to go this year. The results paint a fascinating picture of a world on the move, with families hoping to bring their furry, feathered, and four-legged companions to 129 countries across every continent.
Here's a look at the destinations earning the most paw prints in 2026.
Our data covers 16,104 pet relocation inquiries in 2026 so far, spanning 129 countries. That means pet owners are asking about moves to nearly everywhere — from the expected hubs of Europe and North America to Southeast Asia, South America, and beyond.
The top 10 destinations alone account for 75.6% of all inquiries, showing that while the map is wide, certain countries consistently top the wish lists of relocating families.
| Rank | Country | Inquiries | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇺🇸 United States of America | 5,871 | 36.5% |
| 2 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1,566 | 9.7% |
| 3 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 987 | 6.1% |
| 4 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 797 | 4.9% |
| 5 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 735 | 4.6% |
| 6 | 🇯🇵 Japan | 528 | 3.3% |
| 7 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 516 | 3.2% |
| 8 | 🇵🇭 Philippines | 409 | 2.5% |
| 9 | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 404 | 2.5% |
| 10 | 🇹🇭 Thailand | 357 | 2.2% |
It's no surprise that the U.S. tops the list — by a wide margin. With 5,871 inquiries, it accounts for more than one in three of all pet relocation requests we received this year. The U.S. remains a magnet for international professionals, returning expats, and military families, and their pets are clearly part of the plan.
The good news for pet owners: the U.S. has relatively straightforward import requirements for most domestic animals, which makes it one of the more manageable destinations on this list.
The United Kingdom holds strong at #2 with 1,566 inquiries — nearly 10% of all requests. This is especially notable given the UK's strict pet import requirements, which include microchipping, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment (for dogs). The volume of interest reflects strong demand among Americans, Australians, and other English-speaking expats drawn to life in Britain.
Planning a move to the UK with a pet? Lead times of 4–6 months are common. Start early.
Australia is a dream destination for many — and pet owners want to bring their animals along. With 987 inquiries, Australia ranks third. That said, Australia is one of the most complex destinations in the world for pet import: mandatory government-approved quarantine (up to 10 days), strict documentation, and significant lead time are all required. The commitment families are willing to make speaks to how much they value keeping the whole family together.
Europe as a whole is enormously popular. When you look at the top European destinations together — the UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Greece, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden — they collectively represent nearly a third (31.5%) of all inquiries in 2026.
Spain leads the European continental pack at #4 with 797 inquiries, followed closely by Germany (735), Italy (516), France (326), and Portugal (288). The EU Pet Passport system makes travel between EU member states smoother, but moving from outside the EU still requires careful planning around rabies titers, microchipping, and timing.
Japan's appearance at #6 with 528 inquiries reflects the growing expat and military community planning a move to Japan. It's one of the more complex destinations in Asia for pet imports — with a mandatory quarantine period and rabies antibody testing required well in advance. Families who navigate it successfully find Japan to be an incredibly pet-friendly country once they arrive.
The Philippines earns its spot at #8 with 409 inquiries, driven in large part by returning Filipino-Americans and expats planning a move to Manila and beyond. Pet import requirements here include USDA-endorsed health certificates and import permits, but the process is very manageable with proper planning.
New Zealand punches well above its weight at #9 with 404 inquiries. Like Australia, New Zealand has strict biosecurity laws — mandatory quarantine and a very structured import process — but families are committed to making it work. It's a testament to just how non-negotiable pets are when people are planning a big move.
Rounding out the top 10 is Thailand with 357 inquiries, making it the most requested destination in Southeast Asia (narrowly ahead of the Philippines). With a large and growing expat community in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand has become a go-to destination — and pets are clearly part of the plan.
A few themes jump out from the 2026 data:
English-speaking countries dominate. The U.S., UK, Australia, and New Zealand together account for more than 55% of all inquiries. Common language, familiar culture, and strong expat networks make these natural landing spots.
Europe is a powerhouse. Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, and the Netherlands all rank in the top 20. The quality of life and growing remote work culture are drawing families — pets included — to European shores.
Asia is on the rise. Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea (ranked #15), and Vietnam all appear in the top 25. The Asia-Pacific region is increasingly part of the global relocation story.
People won't leave their pets behind. Across all 129 countries, one thing is clear: for most people, a move isn't complete without their pet. Even the most complex destinations — Australia, New Zealand, Japan — generate hundreds of inquiries every year, because families are willing to do whatever it takes.
Whether you're heading to the most popular destination on our list or somewhere more off the beaten path, Starwood Pet Travel is here to make the journey as smooth as possible. We handle everything — from import permits and health certificates to airline coordination and customs clearance — so you can focus on the exciting parts of your move.
Get a free quote today and let's get your pet's adventure started.
Data sourced from Starwood Pet Travel's 2026 relocation requests (January–June 2026). Based on 16,104 pet relocation inquiries across 129 countries.