Multi-currency & travel: How to budget for moving abroad with a pet
Moving abroad with a pet means budgeting for vaccinations, health paperwork, travel and sometimes quarantine, and the rules for each country set most of the cost. In a worked example, moving a medium-sized dog abroad costs about 1,500, so starting early gives you time to plan and save.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- Moving abroad with a pet involves vaccinations, health paperwork, travel and sometimes quarantine.
- In a worked example, moving a medium-sized dog abroad costs about 1,500 without quarantine.
- Each country has its own rules, which can take months to meet, so start early.
- Budget in both currencies, and keep a buffer for delays and extra vet visits.
How do you budget for moving abroad with a pet?
Start with the rules of your destination, then price each step. Moving abroad with a pet is very doable, and for many people a pet is part of what makes a new place feel like home. But it involves paperwork, vet visits and travel arrangements that can take months and add a significant cost to your move. A clear budget, started early, makes it far smoother. Talking to people who've made the same move with a pet, in online groups or forums, can also flag costs you might not expect.
Every country has different entry rules for animals, and they change, so check official government sources for both the country you're leaving and the one you're moving to.
What does it cost?
Here's a worked example for a medium-sized dog, without quarantine, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flight | 800 |
| Vet work and paperwork | 300 |
| Travel crate | 150 |
| Settling in | 150 |
| Transport to and from airports | 100 |
| Total | 1,500 |
Your own costs depend on the destination, the size of your pet, how it travels and whether quarantine is required. Small pets that can travel in the cabin, where allowed, usually cost less. The time of year matters too, since some routes have higher prices or restrictions in summer and holiday periods. Using a pet relocation company adds cost but handles much of the planning. Get quotes from a few, and compare what's included.
What vet work and paperwork is needed?
Requirements vary, but often include:
- A microchip that meets the destination's standard
- Specific vaccinations, sometimes with waiting periods before travel
- Blood tests, for some countries
- Parasite treatments within a set time before travel
- An official health certificate or pet passport
- Import permits, for some destinations
Some steps must happen months before you travel, so start as soon as you know you're moving. Missing a step can mean delays, extra vet visits or quarantine, all of which cost more. Keep copies of every document, both paper and digital, in case anything is lost on the way.
How do pets travel, and what does it cost?
Pets can travel in the cabin, as checked baggage or as cargo, depending on their size, the airline and the route. Each option has different rules and prices. Larger pets usually travel as cargo, which costs more. Direct flights are less stressful for pets and can avoid extra handling charges. Some people drive or take ferries for part of the journey instead. Your pet will also need an approved travel crate of the right size. Getting your pet used to the crate for a few weeks before travel makes the journey calmer.
Book early
Airlines often limit how many animals travel on each flight, and some routes don't accept pets at certain times of year due to temperature. Booking early gives you more choice and can avoid costly last-minute options.
What about quarantine?
Some countries require pets to spend time in quarantine on arrival, which can be expensive, especially for longer periods. Others avoid quarantine if all requirements are met in advance. Check whether quarantine applies to your move and its cost, and include it in your budget if it does. Meeting every requirement carefully is often the best way to reduce or avoid it. If quarantine is unavoidable, ask whether you can visit and what's included in the daily fee.
What does settling in cost?
Budget for a vet registration and check-up in your new country, local pet insurance, any local licence or registration and new supplies if you couldn't bring them. Pets may need time to adjust, so a familiar bed and toys help. Check whether your new home's rental agreement allows pets and whether it asks for a pet deposit. The cost of a pet covers ongoing costs once you're settled.
How do you handle money in two currencies?
You'll likely pay some costs at home and some abroad. Budgeting in both currencies, and allowing for exchange rate changes, keeps the plan realistic. Keep a buffer for delays, extra vet visits or a last-minute change of flight. The moving abroad budget covers the rest of your move, and how to use multiple currencies in Wealtie shows how to track spending across currencies.
How do you track a pet move in Wealtie?
Add an account in each currency you'll use, so costs are recorded in the money you paid in, with totals converted into your display currency. Log vet visits, paperwork, flights and supplies in a pet line in your expense categories, and set a limit in the budget tracker to keep the move on plan.
Questions people ask
In a worked example, about 1,500 for a medium-sized dog without quarantine, covering flight, vet work, crate and settling in.
Often a microchip, vaccinations, sometimes blood tests, parasite treatment and an official health certificate. Check official rules.
As soon as you know you're moving, since some requirements must be met months before travel.
Some countries require it, while others don't if all requirements are met. Check before you plan.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
