TRACES Guide: Transporting Horses in the EU (2026)

Travel & paperwork · 8 min read · 2026-05-05 · MyHorseBase team

Plain-English walkthrough of the EU TRACES system for moving horses between member states: who needs it, the documents required, and common mistakes.

TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) is the EU's online platform for tracking the movement of live animals across member-state borders. If you're moving a horse from France to Germany, Italy to Spain, or any other intra-EU cross-border move, you almost certainly need a TRACES certificate. This guide breaks down what you need, who issues it, and the mistakes that cause horses to be turned back at the border.

What TRACES does

It links the official veterinarian at origin, the competent authority in the destination country, and the EU Commission. The result is an Intra-Trade Animal Health Certificate (INTRA) that travels with the horse and confirms the horse is healthy, properly identified, and from a holding without restrictions.

Documents you need before you can start a TRACES request

1. Valid equine passport (EU-issued, microchip number matches the horse)
2. Microchip — readable, matching the passport. Required for all horses born after July 2009
3. Identification document showing UELN if available
4. Origin holding ID (the farm's official agricultural registration number)
5. Destination address with the receiving farm's holding ID
6. Transporter authorisation (Type 1 for journeys under 8 hours, Type 2 for longer)
7. Approved means of transport — the trailer/lorry must be registered for live animal transport for journeys over 65 km
8. Driver's certificate of competence for live animal transport (journeys over 65 km, commercial purpose)

The TRACES workflow, step by step

1. Book a pre-export vet visit with an official vet (OV) approved by your national competent authority. Most countries need 24–72 hours' notice
2. The OV examines the horse, checks the passport and microchip, and confirms no clinical signs of notifiable disease
3. The OV logs into TRACES NT and creates an INTRA certificate using the holding, transporter, and destination details you've provided
4. The certificate is electronically signed and a PDF copy travels with the horse
5. The destination competent authority receives a notification and can request a check on arrival

Common reasons TRACES paperwork gets rejected

• Microchip number on the passport doesn't match what's scanned at the vet visit
• Transporter authorisation expired or wrong type for the journey length
• Origin holding not registered, or registration in the wrong category
• Vet visit done too far before transport — most certificates are valid for 10 days only
• Equine status declared incorrectly (registered horse vs equidae for breeding/production)
• Missing or expired Coggins test for horses going to certain destinations

Special cases

Competition horses

Registered horses with an FEI passport competing under FEI rules have simplified procedures within the EU — but TRACES is still required for the border crossing. FEI rules cover what happens at the venue, not what happens crossing borders.

Sales horses

If the horse is sold during transport or at destination, ownership transfer needs to be updated in the national passport-issuing body within the legal deadline (varies by country, usually 30 days).

Horses returning home

A horse going abroad for a competition or stallion service and returning still needs TRACES on the way back. Many owners assume a 'return' move doesn't, and get caught at the border.

Brexit and the UK

Moving horses between the EU and Great Britain now requires an Export Health Certificate (EHC) instead of TRACES, plus pre-notification through IPAFFS on the UK side. Northern Ireland still uses TRACES for moves with the Republic of Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Timeline — how early to start

1. 2–3 weeks before: confirm transporter, book OV, check passport/microchip
2. 1 week before: vet visit, TRACES certificate issued
3. Travel day: certificate, passport, transporter docs travel with the horse — keep digital copies on your phone
4. After arrival: confirm receipt with destination holding, update any sales paperwork

Frequently asked questions

Do I need TRACES to take my horse to a competition in another EU country?

Yes. Any cross-border movement of a live equine within the EU requires a TRACES INTRA certificate, even for competitions. FEI procedures apply at the venue but do not replace TRACES at the border.

How long is a TRACES certificate valid?

Most INTRA certificates for equines are valid for 10 days from the date the official vet signs them. If you don't travel within that window, you need a new vet visit and a new certificate.

Who pays for the TRACES vet visit?

The owner or sender always pays. Costs vary widely by country and vet — budget €80–250 for a straightforward visit, more for after-hours or weekend appointments.

Can I do TRACES myself or do I need an agent?

Only an official vet (OV) can issue the certificate in TRACES NT. You can prepare all the information yourself — many private transporters help with the paperwork as part of their service.