Bringing Your Pet to Rome, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Rome 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 Rome Fiumicino. 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 Rome for work, a diplomatic or military posting, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Rome
Recommended
FCO
Rome's main intercontinental gateway
- Distance from city center~19 miles (30 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, approved Border Control Post
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from many major hubs, some seasonal
- Best forMost pet relocations
CIA
Low-cost and short-haul airport
- Distance from city center~9 miles (15 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityNot used for international pet cargo
- Direct flights from US hubsNo
- Best forNot recommended for US arrivals
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Why airport choice matters
Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci International) is Italy's busiest airport and its main gateway for flights from the US. It's also an approved point of entry for pets. Ciampino is closer to the city but serves mainly low-cost European routes. Starwood routes Rome relocations through FCO, where the widest choice of direct US routing and the facilities for clearing live animals are in one place.
Traveling to or from Rome with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Rome?
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. Italy doesn't require a tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the Italian EU health certificate. A non-commercial certificate can only be used if the pet owner or designated person is on the exact same flight(s) as the pet. Otherwise, a Commercial health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian 2 days prior to departure and then endorsed by the USDA. 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?
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the airport to plan around. As Italy's largest airport, it offers the most direct flights from the US of any Italian airport. It's also an approved point of entry for pets, with the border veterinary services needed to clear live animals. Ciampino (CIA) is closer to central Rome, but it serves mainly low-cost European flights and isn't a practical option for pets arriving from the US.
Direct routes into Fiumicino are available from a number of major US hubs, though some operate only seasonally. Pairing a direct flight with Fiumicino's live animal handling cuts down on handling points and transitions for your pet, which matters for both their comfort and their safety. When a direct flight isn't possible, many pets connect through a major European hub like Frankfurt or Amsterdam.
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 Fiumicino'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 their final destination. That could be a pet-specific transport service, your own vehicle, or a service we coordinate directly.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Rome, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Several airlines fly between the US and Rome, 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. Rome's hot summers are a real planning factor. Many carriers restrict live animal transport during high heat, so summer moves to Rome often need earlier booking, carefully timed flights, or routing through cooler connection points.
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.
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 Rome. 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:
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Microchip and rabies vaccination timing, including the 21-day wait after a first vaccination
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The EU health certificate's 2-day window
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USDA endorsement
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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 Rome.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Rome?
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 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:
- Scheduling your pet's vet appointments in the right order
- Preparing your bilingual EU health certificate and securing USDA endorsement
- Booking the safest available route, with heat restrictions accounted for
- Coordinating your pet's clearance at Fiumicino and ground transport to their new home
Ready to start your pet's journey to Rome? Request a free quote or learn more about our process.
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