The short answer
For most routes a puppy must have had its rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older and then wait at least 21 full days, which in practice means about 15 weeks of age. The microchip must be fitted before the vaccination. Some destinations add their own minimum age.
Bringing a puppy home is one of the most emotional journeys we arrange, and one of the most time-sensitive, because the paperwork cannot start until the puppy is old enough.
Why about 15 weeks
- A microchip must be fitted first
- A rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age
- Most routes then require a wait of at least 21 full days after the vaccination
- Unvaccinated or not yet protected young animals cannot enter the EU from a non-EU country
Add the 12 weeks and the 21 days and you reach about 15 weeks. This is our own working out from the official rules, so plan a little later than the minimum and check your route.
Other age limits worth knowing
- USA: dogs entering must be at least 6 months old, with a microchip that a universal scanner can read
- UAE: the first rabies dose may not be given before 12 weeks of age
- Jersey: the minimum age to fly to Jersey from the UK is 8 weeks
A real flight
"We had to fly a 15-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog puppy home from Estonia to Biggin Hill... fabulous from start to finish; telling us exactly what paperwork was required..." wrote Beverley R on Trustpilot. The flight was planned around the day the puppy became eligible. See Tallinn to Biggin Hill.
On the day
- Keep the puppy calm, with a familiar blanket and a harness or small carrier
- Offer a light meal a few hours before, not just before take-off
- Bring the original documents and the microchip number
- Expect the crew to ask you to keep the puppy secured for take-off and landing
Read flying with your dog and the checklist and timeline PDF, or ask us to plan it.
Rules change. Everything here was checked against official sources on 20 October 2026. Always confirm the current rules for your route; we do it for you when you enquire.
Quick questions
Can an 8-week-old puppy fly?
Not to most countries, because it cannot yet have the rabies vaccination and waiting period. Jersey, from the UK, allows pets from 8 weeks.