Europe → the United States

Travelling with a dog from Europe to the USA

US dog-entry rules apply to returning American pets too. The decisive question is where the dog has been in the six months before entry, not just the departure airport on the ticket.

Rules and airline policies last reviewed 21 August 2026

Route alert

Every dog entering the US needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, must appear healthy, be microchipped and be at least six months old. A dog that has been in a high-risk rabies country has additional requirements.

All dogs: CDC Dog Import Form receipt
Minimum age: 6 months
Identification: Microchip
Risk test: Countries visited during prior 6 months

In the right order

Your step-by-step checklist

1
Before booking
Review six-month travel history
Use the CDC high-risk-country list for every country the dog visited, not only the final departure country.
2
Before travel
Complete the CDC Dog Import Form
Submit one form per dog, confirm the email and keep the receipt for the airline and US Customs and Border Protection.
3
If applicable
Check high-risk-country documents
US-vaccinated and foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country follow different additional processes.
4
Before ticket purchase
Confirm airline acceptance
Cabin availability, carrier limits and destination exceptions differ. The operating carrier controls the pet booking.
5
Before departure
Check USDA disease-specific rules
CDC is primary for dog import, while USDA may add requirements for screwworm or foot-and-mouth-disease exposure.

Choose the journey

Transport options

Small dogs and cats

In-cabin on an eligible airline

KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and Delta publish selected transatlantic cabin products; confirm the US-bound route.

Larger pets

Hold/cargo

Choose an airline or specialist that accepts the breed, crate and season, and confirm US arrival handling.

Route-aware comparison

Airline pet policies

The operating carrier, direction, aircraft and available pet space all matter. “Cabin allowed” never means every flight.

Airline	Cabin	Larger pets	Route warning
KLM ↗	One cat or dog in Economy, or Business within Europe; pet plus carrier up to 8 kg and 46 × 28 × 24 cm.	Eligible pets can travel in the hold up to 75 kg combined, subject to aircraft, breed and connection restrictions.	Useful for eligible US→EU and departures from Great Britain. KLM does not accept pets into the UK as passenger cabin/hold baggage.
Air France ↗	Cats and dogs up to 8 kg including carrier may be eligible for the cabin, subject to route and availability.	More than 8 kg and up to 75 kg including carrier travels in the hold when accepted.	Useful for eligible US/Great Britain departures to France or onward EU travel. UK-bound pets are governed by the UK's cargo-only air-entry rule.
Lufthansa ↗	Small cats and dogs up to 8 kg including a soft carrier; maximum carrier size 55 × 40 × 23 cm.	Larger eligible animals may travel in the air-conditioned hold, with separate crate and breed rules.	A practical option for eligible trips to Germany and connections, but always check the operating carrier on codeshares.
Delta ↗	Small dogs and cats can travel in-cabin on eligible international routes when the carrier fits under the seat; booking is capacity-limited.	Standard checked-pet travel is not a general transatlantic option; international cargo uses a specialist shipper.	International in-cabin fee is currently listed as $200. No pets in cabin to or from the United Kingdom or Iceland.
American Airlines ↗	Carry-on pets are not accepted on transatlantic trips.	Ordinary checked pets are not offered; cargo is the practical route for most non-service animals, with checked-pet exceptions for qualifying military/State Department travel.	Not a normal in-cabin NYC→Europe option. Pets to the UK or Ireland require cargo rather than checked baggage.

Plain-English answers

Frequently asked questions

Does my US dog need the CDC form when coming home?

Yes. The CDC requirements apply to dogs entering or returning to the United States.

Is the CDC form enough from Europe?

If the dog has only been in rabies-free or low-risk countries during the previous six months, CDC says the form receipt is the only CDC document, but the dog must still be healthy, microchipped and at least six months old. Airline and USDA rules can still apply.

Do cats need the CDC Dog Import Form?

No; it is a dog form. Cats still need to satisfy airline, state and any other applicable entry requirements.

Verified, not vibes

Official sources

These rules and policies were checked on 21 August 2026. Use the links below for the final check immediately before travel.

Important: this is a researched planning guide, not veterinary or legal advice. Rules vary by animal, travel history, destination and operating carrier, and can change after publication.

Your step-by-step checklist

Review six-month travel history

Complete the CDC Dog Import Form

Check high-risk-country documents

Confirm airline acceptance

Check USDA disease-specific rules