Planning a trip abroad with a pet is becoming an increasingly complex process. As of April 22, 2026, updated requirements for the non-commercial movement of animals have come into force in the European Union. While the basic principles remain the same, the departure procedure has become more detailed and demanding regarding timelines.

According to information from the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and "Ukrzaliznytsia", pet owners now need to allocate at least four months for preparation. The longest stage is the mandatory 90-day waiting period after taking a blood test for rabies antibody titers.

How to optimize the preparation process

Experts emphasize that the new regulations are intended to make procedures clearer and more predictable, not to create additional barriers. To avoid long waits before a sudden trip, veterinarians strongly recommend vaccinating animals against rabies annually, strictly adhering to the schedule.

If revaccination is carried out on time, even without being one day late, there is no need to wait 90 days again or retake the titer test. In this case, before departure, it will only be necessary to undergo antiparasitic treatment 5 days before the trip and complete the necessary veterinary documents.

Features of rail transport

Given the closed airspace, the main method of cross-border movement remains the railway. "Ukrzaliznytsia" reminded passengers about the specifics of transporting animals on trains:

  • Small animals: Transported in containers or backpack-carriers with a waterproof bottom. Purchasing a separate ticket or buying out all seats in a compartment is not required — pets are placed in luggage areas.
  • Large dogs: In "Intercity+" trains, large dogs may travel only within the territory of Ukraine, provided all seats in the block are purchased.

It is important to consider restrictions on international routes. Large dogs are prohibited from being transported on trains on the "Warsaw — Rava-Ruska", "Bratislava — Chop", and "Mukachevo — Kosice" routes.

Ticket purchase and routes

For those planning a trip to Poland, information on the sales schedule is relevant. Tickets for the direct Kyiv — Warsaw train go on sale daily at 09:00, 20 days before departure. If it is not possible to purchase travel documents for a direct train, the carrier recommends considering convenient connecting routes with a transfer through other border stations.

Passengers should study the rules for transporting pets in advance to avoid problems at the border and ensure a comfortable journey for themselves and their pet.