.webp?width=600&height=450&name=Milan%20(1).webp)
Bringing Your Pet to Milan, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Milan means meeting the European Union's pet entry requirements. These include an ISO-compliant microchip, a correctly timed rabies vaccination, and a bilingual EU health certificate, followed by clearance at Milan Malpensa. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step for you. We coordinate with airlines, ground handlers, and Italian border and customs authorities so your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you're moving to Milan for work, relocating your family, or starting a new chapter in Lombardy, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Milan
Recommended
MXP
Milan's main intercontinental gateway
- Distance from city center~31 miles (50 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, approved Border Control Post
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from select hubs
- Best forRelocations to Milan
LIN
City airport, short-haul focus
- Distance from city center~4.5 miles (7 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityNot used for international pet cargo
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forNot recommended for US arrivals
BGY
Low-cost and European routes
- Distance from city center~30 miles (45 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityNot typically used for pet imports
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forNot recommended for US arrivals
i
Why airport choice matters
Malpensa is Milan's intercontinental airport and the approved point of entry for pets traveling from the US. Linate is much closer to the city but mainly serves domestic and European flights. Starwood routes Milan relocations through MXP so your pet clears veterinary and customs checks at a facility set up for live animal arrivals, then continues by ground transport into the city.
Traveling to or from Milan with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Milan?
Italy follows EU pet travel rules, and getting the steps in the right order is what makes for a smooth entry. For full country-level requirements, see our Italy Pet Travel Guide.
Everything starts with a 15-digit microchip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, and it will be scanned when your pet arrives. Next comes the rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old to receive it, and the vaccine must be given at least 21 days before travel and still be valid on the date of entry.
For pets traveling from the US, no rabies titer test is required, since the US is a "listed" country under EU rules. Pets coming from an unlisted country need a titer test. It must be done at least 30 days after vaccination, the sample must go to an EU-approved laboratory, and there's a 3-month wait before travel. Unlike the UK, Italy doesn't require tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the Italian EU health certificate. A USDA-accredited veterinarian must issue it within 10 days of your pet's arrival in the EU, and USDA APHIS must endorse it. The certificate is written in both English and Italian and travels with your pet along with the rabies certificate and microchip records. Once your pet is in the EU, it remains valid for travel between EU countries for up to four months, or until the rabies vaccine expires, whichever comes first. This is also a good point in the process to have an NFC or QR ID tag ready for easy identification in transit.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the airport to plan around. It's Milan's main intercontinental hub and an approved point of entry for pets arriving in Italy, and it has the border veterinary services needed to clear live animals. Linate (LIN) is much closer to the city center, but it serves mainly domestic and short-haul European routes, so it isn't a practical option for pets arriving from the US.
Most pet owners flying into MXP are coming from the US or from a connection through another major European hub. Choosing a direct flight into Malpensa where possible cuts down on handling points and transitions for your pet, which matters for both their comfort and their safety.
On arrival, officials verify your pet's microchip, rabies vaccination records, and EU health certificate against the animal itself. Pets arriving as manifest cargo are processed through Malpensa's cargo area, where veterinary border staff and customs complete clearance before your pet is released.
Your pet is then released to ground transport for the drive to your final destination. That could be a pet-specific transport service, your own vehicle, or a service we coordinate directly.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Milan, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Several airlines fly between the US and Milan, but their pet policies vary widely on size limits, cargo versus in-cabin travel, and seasonal embargoes. Under IATA Live Animals Regulations, airlines carrying live animals internationally must meet specific crate, handling, and documentation standards, which is part of why policies differ so much from carrier to carrier.
On long-haul routes to Italy, many airlines accept pets only as manifest cargo, though smaller pets may qualify for in-cabin travel depending on the carrier's weight and crate limits. Summer is worth planning around too. Many carriers restrict live animal transport during hot months, which can affect route options for summer moves to Milan.
Choosing the right route isn't just about price. Direct flights reduce stress and risk because there's no layover, which means less tarmac time, less temperature exposure, and fewer handling transitions. When a direct flight isn't available, the connecting airport matters as much as the connection time, since not every airport has the infrastructure or trained staff for live animal transfers.
This is where many pet owners get stuck. Airline pet policies change often, vary by aircraft type, and include restrictions that aren't obvious until you're deep into booking. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like French Bulldogs, for example, face extra restrictions or outright bans from many carriers because of respiratory risk. Starwood does this research for you. We match your pet's breed, size, and health profile against current airline policies to find the safest, most direct route into Milan. Then we handle the booking and coordinate directly with the airline's live animal cargo team.
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
Timeline is one of the most common questions we get, and it's worth planning early. For pets traveling from the US, no titer test is required, so the timeline depends mostly on:
-
Microchip and rabies vaccination timing, including the 21-day wait after a first vaccination
-
The EU health certificate's 10-day window
-
USDA endorsement
-
Flight and cargo space availability
Most pet owners should plan to start at least two to three months before their travel date. If you're relocating from an unlisted country, the titer test and its 3-month waiting period will likely be the biggest factor in your timeline. See the Italian Ministry of Health's requirements for full details.
Costs depend on your pet's size and weight, whether they fly in-cabin or as cargo, crate requirements, the airline and route, and any extra services like ground transport at either end. Rates depend on these specifics rather than a flat fee, so get a personalized quote to see exact pricing for your pet's move to Milan.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Milan?
Moving a pet internationally isn't just paperwork. It means coordinating veterinarians, USDA endorsement, airlines, Italian border authorities, and ground transport across two countries, all while keeping your pet safe and as calm as possible. Starwood Pet Travel is IATA-certified and has hands-on experience with the US-to-Italy route. That means we know the current EU entry requirements, the airlines with the strongest live animal transport records, and what to expect at Malpensa on arrival day.
You don't have to piece together certification timing, airline policies, and customs documentation on your own. We manage the whole process from start to finish.
Ready to start your pet's journey to Milan? Request a free quote or learn more about our process.
W e ' r e D i f f e r e n t
Pets, not packages - expect more
We’re proud to be the highest rated and most trusted international pet shipping company in the United States.
Decades of experience
Trust our expert team of coordinators, with the most collective industry experience (and all the 5-star reviews to prove it!).
Learn more →
Pet Protection Plan
Coverage for every dog or cat ensuring your peace of mind throughout their journey.
Learn more →
Stay in touch
The only US-based company to partner with CareTags Travel Sense to provide automated updates throughout your pet’s move via email & text.
Learn more →
We partner with the best in the industry:
