Your Pet's New Life in Italy
This week, getting pets to Italy, a language lover in Bologna, a new travel rule, and more.
Ciao, amici! I had such a great time writing this newsletter and I can’t wait for you to read it. I am a dog person and can’t imagine making any life plans that don’t include my 110-pound Bernese Mountain Dog. His size certainly makes traveling a challenge but, as you’ll see in this issue, there’s always a way. 💪
This week, I had the opportunity to chat with two amazing women who are living their Italian dreams, Shea Jordan, an ex-pat in Bologna, and Cheryl Keenan, who found an unexpected way to transport her bulldog to Abruzzo. I’m grateful for their wisdom and hope you enjoy meeting them.
So, let’s get into it. 🚀 Thanks for being here, and enjoy!
Getting Your Pets to Italy
Relocating to Italy requires plenty of decisions but, for pet owners, figuring out how to get their dog or cat to join the journey could be the toughest.
According to the US Embassy & Consulates in Italy, the following are required of animals traveling from the USA to Italy:
A valid Veterinary Certificate (stating the owner’s details, a description of the animal, details of identification, and vaccinations)
A valid rabies vaccine.
An identifying tattoo or a microchip
The cage or carrier must be labeled with the owner’s name, and their (or a nominated person’s) address and contact numbers in Italy.
Once in Italy, an Italian vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing travel within Europe.
An animal must be over three months old to enter Italian territory.
There are many methods of transportation available including:
🐩 🐕 Pet relocation services like Air Pets International or World Pet and Animal Transport - These companies handle all the logistics required for an international move and offer door-to-door service.
'✈️ Join the plane ride - Your pet can fly with you to Italy, either under your seat (depending on the size) or in climate-controlled, pressurized cargo.
🚢 Take a boat - Many ships, like the Queen Mary 2, offer trans-Atlantic crossings that welcome pets. The journey typically takes 8-nights.
✈️ Go private - Yes, it’s possible. Check out Emma’s story. ⬇️
Emma’s International Adventure 🌎
Moving overseas to Italy could be as simple as getting from point A to point B or as adventurous as getting from point A to point Z with lots of letters in between. Just ask Cheryl Keenan and her 14-year-old American Bulldog, Emma.
When planning her move to Italy, Cheryl was torn between waiting for Emma to live out her life at home or trying to figure out how to get her across an ocean safely and comfortably. After weighing transport options, she ruled out a commercial flight and decided a trans-Atlantic ship didn’t work for various reasons. Fortunately, she discovered another option that seemed like a good fit. “I learned of a [private] Facebook group of pet owners devoted to expanding their options for international travel by connecting members to other members who were interested in sharing the cost of a private chartered jet that accommodated pets on board in the cabin,” she says.
After coordinating with several other group members, Cheryl and Emma hopped on a plane with 8 other dogs, 7 other humans, and 2 cats and headed to Lisbon. From there, the journey to Abruzzo continued via business van, making stops along the way. “Our girl loved every minute of the adventure, going in and out of hotels and exploring stop-over cities,” Cheryl says. “It ignited a new flame in her that I never imagined.”
While flying private relieves the stress of being separated from your pet during travel, it can also be pricey. Just how pricey depends on many factors including the distance between departure and final destinations, the number of humans and pets, the size of the jet, and how the group agrees to structure the cost-sharing. “This is an all-volunteer operation and is dependent on getting a group of sufficient size and one person taking the lead role,” says Cheryl.
Think chartered travel may be an option for you? Facebook is a great place to start. Cheryl is part of the Chartered Air Travel with Pets group but there are several out there. Soon your furry companion could be chasing the Italian dream, just like Emma. “We’ve been here in Abruzzo for a little more than a year,” says Cheryl. “She is still with us and very much enjoying la dolce vita.”
A Passport for Your Pet ✈️🌍🛂🧳🐶
You’ve finally decided how to get your pet to Italy. Now you need to consider compliance. Part of ensuring a smooth transition is making sure all of your documentation is up-to-date and easily accessible. The following applies to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Rules vary for less traditional pets like birds and rodents.
The type of documentation they’ll need depends on where you’re coming from.
FROM an EU Country: You’ll need an EU Pet Passport. This lets them travel within the EU and lasts until your pet’s rabies vaccine expires.
FROM a non-EU Country: You’ll need an EU Animal Health Certificate stating that your pet is traveling for non-commercial reasons. These last for four months and can only be acquired 10 days or less before your pet arrives.
When you have time after your move, make sure to register with a vet to acquire an EU Pet Passport for documentation and future travels. The visit is helpful in case any forms have missing information or if your cat or dog is due for vaccinations. And, knowing your pet is feeling okay after the big move is a huge relief!
Both documents (the passport and certificate) require your pet to have a microchip, blood test, and up-to-date vaccinations.
Keep this process as stress-free as possible by planning early. Scrambling to get documentation at the last minute is never a good idea. 😉
Buon viaggio!
* This resource was originally provided to our A New Life in Italy community, where we continue to delve into the topic of pet travel. Learn more about the membership here.
A Language Lover in Emilia-Romagna 🍝 🥖 ☕️
Hers is a story with a common beginning but an uncommon ending. She fell in love with Italy years ago while studying in Rome. Today, Bologna is home.
Meet Shea Jordan, an American ex-pat determined to pursue her Italian dream, and undeterred by the (in)famous bureaucracy that just can’t be avoided.
After graduating from college, Shea worked as a social media manager for a creative agency in Los Angeles, all the while dreaming of returning to Italy. About a year-and-a-half ago, she moved to Bologna on a student visa to study Italian at a language school. Since then, she’s managed to renew her permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) several times, travel all over the country, establish friendships in her community, and, truly, start a life in Italy.
Right now, her ability to maintain this life depends on a lot of paperwork. Staying compliant is a part of her job and figuring it all out can sometimes be a puzzle. The key is to have patience, plan ahead, and don’t expect everything to go smoothly (and ask for help when you need it).
“One of the hardest things is that different people give you different answers,” she says. “You could walk into the questura one day and someone will tell you, ‘You need this', and you’ll go back another time and someone else will say, ‘No, you need this.’ There’s really nowhere to go for a definitive answer.”
So, what do you do when one person tells you one thing and another tells you something different? At first, Shea was a bit hesitant to advocate for herself but as her Italian improves, she is more and more confident in this situation. “It can be intimidating, but don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself,” she says.
Shea has found that, in her Bolognese community, people have been open to a new face, and are curious about the life she lived in America. “My friends ask a lot of questions about what life was like in the States and we have fun comparing the two cultures,” she says.
Since moving to Italy, Shea’s language skills have progressed tremendously, partly because of the language school but mostly because she’s doing life in Bologna. Frequent trips to the market, public transportation, finding apartments, and socializing all provide plenty of opportunities to practice. “I’d say I’m at a B2 level but my Italian friends tell me to say I’m fluent,” she says. “Italians are usually overly nice though.”
Reaching Shea’s level of expertise will take a while but learning the language, even at the most basic level, definitely eases the transition. For example, you may expect to set up utilities or apply for government services online, but in Shea’s experience, an actual conversation needs to take place (which makes sense, given the importance of relationships in Italy). This could be a telephone call or an in-person visit to the office in question. Either way, be prepared to wait in line and probably return a few times before reaching a solution.
Right now, Shea is also pursuing a path to citizenship, and so, the adventure continues. 🇮🇹
If you’re interested in following Shea’s journey, she candidly shares her journey on YouTube and Instagram.
Location Spotlight: Pescara, Abruzzo 🏖️🐚🌞⛰️
Picture your favorite quaint Italian town. It’s probably full of winding cobblestone streets, Medieval or Gothic architecture, and maybe a Roman ruin or two. Now, meet Pescara, the capital of the province of the same name. Perhaps the opposite of the town you’re picturing, Pescara, heavily bombed during World War II, can be described as the city of rebirth.
With 78% of the city destroyed or greatly damaged in the war, Pescara has, quite literally, risen from the ashes. Nestled between the Adriatic and multiple majestic mountain ranges, the city’s wide, tree-lined streets and bustling shopping district have a modern vibe with just a hint of its pre-war past.
🚌 ✈️ 🚊 If public transportation is high on your checklist, Pescara is definitely a place to consider. Regular bus service, a well-connected train station, and an international airport will get you where you need to go.
🚴 Pescara also caters to cycling enthusiasts. The Ponte Del Mare, an impressive bridge that doubles as a piece of art connecting the north and south districts of Pescara, is popular for biking, running, and walking. Another nearby option is the Trabbochi cycling path, which hugs the Adriatic coastline.
🏖️ For a more relaxed adventure, spend the day strolling through one of the region’s best shopping districts or head seaside and get your toes in the sand. Here, the options are plentiful.
Residents and visitors enjoy weekly open-air markets, amazing restaurants and cafes, and a renowned musical festival every August. Don’t forget to try one of the area’s most popular culinary creations, arrosticini (skewered lamb), or a seafood stew called Brodetto di pesce alla Pescarese.
Per Italy Per Te’s tradition, we have to check out a cost of living comparison. This time, we’ll look at Pescara vs. Chicago:
Last Sunday’s Vendita newsletter featured this ⬇️ amazing, furnished property (with 2 terraces!) in Montesilvano, Pescara for just over €100,000. Did you miss it? Be sure to subscribe via email, or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free!
Jetting off last minute? Pump the breaks. There’s a new travel rule for non-EU citizens. ✈️
Picture it. You’re sitting at your desk answering emails when a last-minute cheap flight email catches your attention. Feeling adventurous, you book a round trip to Rome for the following week. Bursting with anticipation — and in disbelief at the deal you just snagged — you pack your bag and jet off on a whim for a quick trip to the Bel Paese.
Sounds amazing but the days of grabbing your passport and running out the door could be numbered.
Recently, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) introduced a new security regulation requiring an additional travel document for non-EU citizens. It basically acts like a visa that tracks your movement within the Schengen zone.
There’s no official start date for enforcement but the ETIAS website indicates mid-2025. The good news is, it’s cheap (free if you’re under 18 or over 70), easy to get, and lasts a few years.
Samantha just talked about ETIAS in the Smart Move Italy Facebook group:
This travel document will be required for all non-EU citizens, even if you’re staying less than 90 days. It’s linked to your passport so if you need to replace it for any reason, you’ll also need a new ETIAS authorization.
ASA (Ask Samantha Anything)
Email us at sophia@smartmoveitaly.com to submit your questions.
Dear Samantha: Is it better to go the ERV route or the citizenship route to move to Italy? I qualify for both and I'm getting mixed messages as to which one is more beneficial..or if I can even choose which path to take.
Dear Joe: Your dilemma is common and raises a lot of questions when it comes to choosing which route is best for you. The decision will depend on your short term goals, income source and whether you have a spouse who will join you.
The good thing is yes, it's completely your choice.
The short answer is citizenship is always the best way to go as it gives you the freedom to travel, work, move… do anything you like. But depending on your application type, it can take many years to get approved. Also, if you get a government pension from your home country, and you become an Italian resident in Italy, your pension will become subject to Italian taxes. If you are not Italian, a government pension is tax exempt. For some people, this is a deal breaker.
The ERV, on the other hand has many restrictions, including needing a significant amount of yearly passive income, you can't work, and you have to continue to renew your permesso di soggiorno every year and you run the risk of a visa denial.
Deciding which route is best requires a thorough evaluation of what your long and short term goals are, what options your citizenship pathway offers (can you apply in Italy?) and your income.
If you can, citizenship is almost always the best choice.
I’m saving a spot for YOU! 📣
Well, this was a fun issue! Who doesn’t love talking about their pets? 🐶 🐱
In the coming weeks, we’ll be meeting some more of Smart Move Italy's community, exploring the roots of Italy’s agritourism movement, delving deeper into the property-finding process, developing a plan to find your ideal location, and chatting about the beauty of Italian culture.
Those are just some of the ideas on the horizon. I’m also saving some newsletter real estate for the topics you request. Want to learn more about a certain location? Curious about an Italian tradition? Wondering how to navigate a particular issue? Let me know in the comments.
Until then, thanks for reading…and for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!
P.S. Follow Samantha on Insta or Threads.