Australia, The World's Toughest Pet Border

Written by Australian Dog Lover 11:53:00 - 0 Comments

Aussie Pet Travel Boom: Top Destinations and Toughest Borders Revealed

For Australian dog lovers, the pet-travel landscape has never been more exciting. With Virgin Australia’s new 'Pets in Cabin' service recently taking to the skies, it’s a clear sign that travelling with our beloved companions is finally becoming easier at home.

However, the dream of international migration remains a complex journey. A new study by leading international pet airline, SKYE PETS, reveals a fascinating global paradox: Australia and New Zealand are the hardest countries for pet entry, yet they are the world's most desired pet relocation destinations.

The study, which created a Pet Entry Complexity Score (0–20) based on quarantine, testing, and documentation, ranked Australia and New Zealand tied as the 4th and 5th hardest countries to enter, respectively. Yet, globally, more people are searching for ways to migrate their pet to Australia than anywhere else.

Where Aussie Pet Owners Are Moving to in 2025

While Australia remains a pet destination magnet for the world, Aussie pet owners themselves are looking across the Pacific for their new homes. Based on Aussies searching the web for more information on pet migration, the following destinations have been revealed to be top on the pet-expat list for 2025:

Global research finds Australia to be the No. 1 pet expat hotspot overall.

New Zealand leads the way, with 230 individual Aussies searching for ways to move a pet there each month. This strong demand suggests neighbouring countries are the preferred choice, followed by:

• Canada: A popular commonwealth choice that offers a smoother transition than other destinations.

• Japan: An interesting inclusion, as it represents a highly desired cultural change despite its incredibly strict entry rules.

European and South Asian destinations take the centre stage further down the list, with Singapore, Germany, and Ireland also piquing the interest of Aussies planning a move with their pets.

The Global Pet Travel Index: Easiest vs. Hardest Entry

The SKYE PETS study analysed veterinary, travel, and import requirements—including medical tests, quarantine periods, and breed bans—across dozens of popular countries, rating them based on an overall complexity score system (0–20). This reveals exactly what Aussies are facing when they choose their dream destination:

Global Pet Travel Index
Easiest For Pet Migration				Hardest For Pet Migration
Rank	Country	Complexity Score		Rank	Country	Complexity Score
1	Argentina	4		1	Iceland	18
2	Canada	4		2	Japan	18
3	Albania	7		3	Mauritius	17
4	Greece	7		4	Australia	15
5	Italy	7		5	New Zealand	15
6	Mongolia	7		6	Malaysia	14
7	Slovakia	7		7	Qatar	14
8	Vietnam	7		8	Taiwan	14
9	Austria	8		9	Oman	13
10	Belgium	8		10	Bhutan	13

With a low complexity score of four, Argentina ranks as the world’s easiest destination for relocating pets, thanks to no quarantine, no mandatory microchip, and only a standard rabies vaccination waiting period. Crucially for many Aussie travellers, Canada follows closely with an equal score of four, offering straightforward entry with no quarantine and no titre testing (blood tests).

The Struggle for the 'Aussie Expat' Pet

The data shows a clear conflict for many Australians:

• Japan, a top-three destination for Aussie searches, ties with Iceland as the hardest country to migrate a pet to (Score 18). Both demand mandatory ISO microchips, titre testing, multiple vaccines, and quarantine periods stretching up to six months.

• Australia (Score 15) and New Zealand (Score 15) also rank in the top five most difficult countries to enter. This means a pet leaving Australian shores will face an arduous, complex, and lengthy process if the family ever decides to bring them back home.

Joanna Maddison, founder of SKYE PETS, understands the challenge: "Moving abroad with a pet can feel overwhelming, especially when you see destinations like Japan with such demanding requirements, or the complexity of returning home to Australia. 

Our job is not just to offer Australia’s only international in-cabin chartered service, but to empower pet owners with reliable information and support them through the whole travel process. This ensures that comfort and ease are at the centre of the journey, wherever life takes them."

Plan Your Pet's Next Journey

Inspired to plan your own pet-expat adventure to Canada, New Zealand, or beyond? Learn more about the in-cabin pet charter service and discover available flight routes and dates by visiting the SKYEPETS website or following their journey on social media.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyepettravel

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyepettravel/

Data Source: This study by SKYEPETS assessed global pet relocation rules and demand. A Pet Entry Complexity Score (0–20) was created using seven weighted factors: microchip requirements, rabies vaccination and wait times, titre tests, quarantine length, import permits, breed restrictions, and extra treatments. Search demand was measured using Google Keyword Planner.

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