Moving your pet from Malta to Austria?

The Malta–Austria route requires quarantine on arrival, so planning well ahead matters. In plain terms, this is a moderate route, meaning the requirements are relatively straightforward compared to many international moves.

Most owners start the process around 20-26 weeks before the flight date. That window is not arbitrary — it accounts for vaccination waiting periods, titre test processing, and document endorsement.

Here is how the preparation unfolds from start to travel day:

Costs vary considerably depending on your pet's size, the airline, and whether you use a pet relocation agent. The main factors to price up are:

• Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
• IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
• Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
• Rabies titre test laboratory fee
• Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Microchip: Required (ISO 11784/11785). Before or on same day as first rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination: Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel

Titre test: Required for: Pets from non-listed countries. Not required for: EU/listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry

Health certificate: Required. EU Pet Passport or AHC. Issued by: Official vet. Valid for 10 days from issue

Import permit: Not required

Quarantine: No routine quarantine for compliant pets. Penalty quarantine applies if documentation is non-compliant

Export permit: {'required': False}

Export health certificate: {'required': True, 'name': 'EU Pet Passport or AHC', 'issued_by': 'Veterinary Regulation Directorate-authorised vet'}

Several airlines serve routes between Malta and Austria, each with different policies on pets in cabin versus cargo hold:

Compared to some international pet transport routes, Malta to Austria is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.

EU member. Austria follows standard EU pet travel rules. No routine quarantine.

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

• Pet Transport Austria to Malta