Pet insurance in Italy for British dog and cat owners
Pet insurance is not compulsory for most dog owners in Italy, but as an owner you are liable for any damage your animal causes, and vet bills are paid privately. An Italian pet policy combines vet and surgery costs with third-party liability; to buy one, your dog or cat must first be registered in the Italian pet registry with a microchip.
Consultation in English is included
Italian policies are written in Italian. We explain the cover, the exclusions and the paperwork to you in English, before you buy and when you claim, at no extra cost. Call +39 0141 441493 or email info@assicurazionecastellodiannone.it or see our offices and opening hours.
In short
- Dogs in Italy must be microchipped and entered in the regional pet registry (anagrafe), which feeds the national database.
- Liability insurance is compulsory only for dogs placed by the local health authority on the register of dogs at increased risk.
- Under the Civil Code (art. 2052) the owner is liable for damage caused by the animal: liability cover is the part most owners need.
- Realmente Amici by Reale Mutua insures dogs and cats aged 2 months to under 10 years at the start.
- Consultation in English is included.
Pet insurance
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Realmente Amici, underwritten by Reale Mutua. Consultation in English is included: we go through the Italian policy wording with you before you sign.
Bringing a dog or cat from the UK to Italy
gov.uk sets out the steps for taking a pet from Great Britain to the EU: a microchip, a rabies vaccination (the pet must be at least 12 weeks old) and a wait of at least 21 days after the first vaccination before travel, then an animal health certificate issued by a vet, which is valid for 10 days for entry into the EU. Pet passports issued in Great Britain cannot be used to enter the EU.
Once you live in Italy, register your dog with a local vet or the veterinary service of your local health authority (ASL) in the regional registry. The Ministry of Health explains that dogs must be microchipped and registered, and the regional registries feed the national database. Deadlines for animals arriving from elsewhere vary by region, so do it as soon as you have an address.
Is dog insurance mandatory in Italy?
Not for most owners. The Ministry of Health ordinance on protecting the public from dog aggression, renewed each year, makes third-party liability insurance compulsory for owners of dogs entered in the register of dogs at increased risk kept by the ASL veterinary services. For every other dog, insurance is a choice.
What Realmente Amici covers
- Surgery: operations and post-operative stay, up to the limit you choose.
- Vet costs: visits, diagnostic tests and prescribed medicines, if you add the option.
- Third-party liability as owner or keeper of the animal, with a limit of €500,000 to €2,000,000; on damage to property an excess of €100 applies.
- Legal expenses linked to owning the animal, and assistance services such as a pet sitter if you are in hospital.
| Event | Cover starts after |
|---|---|
| Accident | 7 days |
| Illness | 30 days |
| Illness from previous conditions not known when you signed | 180 days |
To be insured, the animal must live with you, be 2 months to under 10 years old when the policy starts, be entered in the Italian pet registry, have a microchip and a health booklet issued by a vet (point 5.4). When an insured animal turns 10, the policy is not renewed after the next annual expiry date.
Pet insurance
Price cover for your dog or cat
Realmente Amici, underwritten by Reale Mutua. Consultation in English is included: we go through the Italian policy wording with you before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Is pet insurance mandatory in Italy?
No, not for most owners. Liability insurance is compulsory only for dogs entered by the local health authority in the register of dogs at increased risk. The owner is however liable for damage caused by the animal under art. 2052 of the Civil Code.
Can I insure a dog I brought from the UK?
Yes, once the dog is microchipped, entered in the Italian regional pet registry and has a health booklet from a vet, and is aged between 2 months and under 10 years when the policy starts.
Can I use my UK pet passport in Italy?
No. According to gov.uk, pet passports issued in Great Britain cannot be used to enter the EU; you need an animal health certificate for each trip.
Does the policy cover illnesses straight away?
No. Illness is covered after a 30-day waiting period, accidents after 7 days, and illness from previous conditions not known at signing after 180 days.
Is my older dog too old to insure?
The policy accepts dogs and cats under 10 years old at the start, and it is not renewed after the animal turns 10.
Pet insurance
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Realmente Amici, underwritten by Reale Mutua. Consultation in English is included: we go through the Italian policy wording with you before you sign.
Sources
Official sources checked on 24 October 2026. Rules change: always check the latest version before you act.
Important information
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Cover, limits, excesses and exclusions are set by the policy documents (DIP, additional DIP and Conditions of Insurance), which are in Italian and are what counts legally: we give them to you, and talk you through them in English, before you sign.
Assicurazione Castello di Annone di Rabacchin Matteo, VAT no. 01627330051, is an insurance intermediary registered in the Italian Single Register of Insurance Intermediaries (RUI), Section E no. E000517439, supervised by IVASS. Online quotes and purchase are not available in every Italian region: the quote tool tells you at the first step if the service is not available in your region.