Vatican City
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for Vatican City
You · American passport
Up to 90 days in any 180
Visa-free for short stays. Keep inside the limit and you don't need a visa.
home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Confirm before you go · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
None
Vehicles with these plates aren't allowed in.
gov.uk · Confirm before you go · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 21 days out
Microchip, rabies shot at least 21 days before, EU health certificate issued/endorsed within 10 days of arrival. See the steps
eur-lex.europa.eu · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch Vatican City.
We'll email you if Vatican City's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into Vatican City.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
A vet implants a microchip. It must be done on or before the day of the rabies vaccination.
- On or after the microchip
Rabies vaccination
A vet gives an inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine, on or after the microchip date, when the pet is at least 12 weeks old.
- At least 21 days after the rabies shot
Wait 21 days after primary rabies vaccination
Travel no earlier than 21 days after a primary rabies vaccination.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
EU animal health certificate
An official vet (or an authorised vet, then government endorsement) completes the EU non-commercial animal health certificate no more than 10 days before arrival in the EU.
- Within 10 days before you arrive
Government endorsement
If the certificate was signed by a private authorised vet (e.g. USDA-accredited), the national veterinary authority must endorse it; the 10-day window then counts from the endorsement.
- By the day you arrive
Owner's non-commercial declaration
The owner (or authorised person) signs the non-commercial declaration attached to the certificate.
- At the border
Documentary and identity check at a travellers' point of entry
Enter the EU through a designated travellers' point of entry and present the pet and documents for checks.
eur-lex.europa.eu · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in Vatican City
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Visa-free | No limit | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Visa-free | No limit | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Visa-free | No limit | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in Vatican City
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Not allowed in | None | gov.uk · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a Vatican City leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
