Author: Victoria

Traveling in a camper with children can be a memorable experience for the whole family. However, ensuring the safety of the little ones during the journey is essential. Proper use of car seats is crucial to ensure a safe and comfortable trip.

In Italy, road safety laws are strict, and this applies even when traveling in a camper. The use of car seats for children is mandatory, just like in traditional vehicles.

The importance of car seats in campers and safety regulations

Car seats are mandatory for children during camper journeys. Like in a car, it’s essential for children to use seats appropriate for their weight from their first journey until they reach 1.50 meters in height or weigh 36 kilograms. Once they surpass 1.50 meters in height or reach 36 kilograms, usually around 12 years old, minors should use regular seat belts.

It’s important to note that the presence of Isofix systems on front and rear seats is rare in campers, including the latest models. In case your camper is not equipped with Isofix, it’s crucial to ensure that the car seat can be properly secured using the three-point seatbelt, checking its availability in your vehicle.

It’s important to note that the number of passengers on board the camper cannot exceed that specified in the circulation manual. However, it’s possible that the vehicle has more sleeping places than the number of passengers indicated in the manual.

It’s crucial and mandatory for safety, as well as extremely dangerous, not to secure children with car seats or seat belts during camper travel. Holding children in one’s arms or moving freely in the camper while traveling towards the destination, be it to use the bathroom, grab something from the fridge, or perform other activities, is prohibited. Sleeping in beds during the journey is forbidden and poses a severe risk to young children’s safety.

European standards for child restraint systems: ECE R44 vs. ECE R129 (i-Size)

Since 2017, there have been two European approval standards for restraint systems: ECE R44 based on the child’s weight and ECE R129 (i-Size) classifying devices based on height. Always verify the presence of the ECE R129 or ECE R44 approval label on the devices.

If you already own an ECE R44 car seat, it’s not mandatory to replace it according to the new ECE R129 standards. The i-Size regulation also includes protection against side impacts and requires ISOFIX attachment for products intended for younger children (up to 105 cm in height).

Installing the car seat in the camper

It’s crucial to select a seat suitable for the child’s age and weight. These seats must be securely anchored to the camper seat using 3-point seat belts and should not have excessive movement. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions scrupulously to ensure correct installation.

Is it possible to install a car seat on the front passenger seat? Like in a car, it’s allowed to place child car seats on the front seat of the camper. However, in cases where the child has a rear-facing car seat, it’s essential to deactivate the airbag for that seat.

Safety for children traveling rear-facing: traveling rear-facing provides 5 times more safety for children. It significantly reduces the risk of injuries in case of an accident even at 50 km/h. A child facing forward at this speed has a 40% risk of severe injuries, while one facing rearward has only an 8% risk. Appropriate car seats ensure comfort and safety, conforming to children’s physique. In Sweden, where road safety is high, it’s practiced up to 4-6 years. Europe is revising directives, inspired by this model, to better protect young passengers.

Choosing the car seat in the camper

In Italy, the law stipulates that children should travel rear-facing up to 9 kg in weight, in line with ECE R44 regulations, or up to a maximum age of 15 months, according to the most recent provisions introduced by the i-Size regulation. However, traveling in this position for as long as possible (up to 7 years) offers five times more safety for children.

ECE 129 (i-Size) regulations have introduced the requirement of a backrest for all car seats intended for children under 125 cm in height (for newly developed products) and require the use of rear-facing car seats up to 15 months of age.

• Group 0: carrycots (from birth up to 10 kg) must be placed transversely on the rear seats if approved (the vast majority of carrycots do not perform well in crash tests);
• Group 0+: infant carriers (from birth up to 13 kg) must be placed on the rear seats always facing rearward, with the airbag deactivated if present;
• Group 1: children from 9 to 18 kg must be placed on the rear seats facing forward only;
• Group 2: children from 15 to 25 kg should have their car seats placed on either front or rear seats facing forward;
• Group 3: children from 22 to 36 kg should have their car seats placed on either front or rear seats facing forward.

The requirement of anti-abandonment devices in campers

The anti-abandonment device is mandatory for all children up to 4 years old, regardless of their weight and height, in vehicles registered in Italy or abroad and driven by residents of Italy.

These devices function as sensors that detect the child’s weight and signal their presence inside the car. In case of potential abandonment, the system immediately notifies the parent’s mobile phone and other emergency numbers previously entered during installation.

Practical tips for camper trips

• Planning: arrange for frequent stops during the trip to allow children to move and rest;
• Entertainment: bring games, books, or movies to entertain children during the journey;
• Temperature awareness: ensure the temperature inside the camper is comfortable for young passengers.

Conclusion

Traveling in a camper with children can be an enchanting experience. Ensuring their safety during the journey is crucial, and the proper use of car seats in compliance with Italian regulations is a priority.

Choosing the right car seat and following road safety laws will ensure a pleasant and safe trip for the entire family, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Italy in a camper to the fullest.

Always remember: safe driving is the foundation for a happy and memorable journey in a camper with your little adventurers!

The guidelines provided solely concern dogs, cats, and other pets arriving in Italy accompanying their owners or designated responsible individuals.

Generally, as a precaution, it is recommended to commence procedures well in advance of the planned departure date, considering that more complex procedures might require over 4 months.

General provisions

There are general provisions concerning all dogs, cats, and ferrets coming from both European Union (EU) and third countries:

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be identified by a microchip or a clearly readable tattoo if applied before July 3, 2011.
• It is prohibited to bring dogs, cats, and ferrets into Italy:

1. younger than twelve weeks that haven’t been vaccinated against rabies;
2. between twelve and sixteen weeks that, despite being vaccinated against rabies, do not meet the validity requirements stated in Annex III, point 2, letter e) of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 (the validity period of vaccination starts from the establishment of protective immunity, not less than twenty-one days after completing the vaccination protocol set by the manufacturer for the first vaccination and continues until the end of the period of protective immunity), and therefore are not yet protected against the disease.

Italy does not avail itself of exemptions to the obligation of rabies vaccinations for puppies, granted to Member States by Articles 7 and 11 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013.

• The maximum number of pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) that can accompany the owner or authorized person on a single trip is five animals (Article 5, paragraph 1, Regulation (EU) 576/2013). In derogation and subject to certain conditions, the maximum number of pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) may exceed five if the non-commercial movement is for participation in competitions, exhibitions, sports events, or training for such events (Article 5, paragraph 2, Regulation (EU) 576/2013). When the maximum number of pets (dogs, cats, and ferrets) exceeds five, and the conditions for the derogation are not met:

1. If the animals come from an EU country, they must comply with the requirements prescribed by Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and Regulation (EU) 2021/403, and subsequent amendments, to be subject to veterinary checks provided for by Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council;
2. if the animals come from a third country, they must comply with the requirements prescribed by Regulation (EU) 692/2020, Regulation (EU) 2021/403, and Regulation (EU) 2021/404, and subsequent amendments, to be subject to veterinary checks by the Border Control Posts (BCPs) provided for by Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

• Usually, the owner or authorized person should accompany the animal during the journey. However, for justified and documented reasons, the animal’s movement can occur up to five days before or after the owner’s or authorized person’s movement, or in a physically different location from the owner’s or authorized person’s location.
• For the introduction of pets into Italy, there is no requirement for preventive treatment against ticks and echinococcus.

Apart from the general provisions, different conditions apply depending on whether the animals come from EU Member States or third countries.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets from EU Countries

For animals coming from EU countries or from Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and the Vatican City State, additional requirements apply:

Passport

The animal must be accompanied by a European pet passport:

• conforming to the model provided by Part 1 of Annex III of EU Implementing Regulation 577/2013 for EU countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Hungary);
• conforming to the model provided by Part 3 of Annex III for Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, and the Vatican City State;
• completed and issued by an authorized veterinarian in the country of origin; to obtain the passport, contact the Veterinary Services of the country of origin;
• containing the alphanumeric code of the microchip or tattoo and confirming the administration of rabies vaccination and, if applicable, an ongoing valid rabies vaccination.

A written declaration from the owner if a person authorized by the owner carries out the non-commercial movement of the animal on written delegation.

Rabies vaccination

The dog, cat, or ferret must be vaccinated against rabies by an authorized veterinarian in the country of origin (Annex III of EU Regulation 576/2013):

• the animal must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination;
• the vaccine administration must not precede the date of identification or microchip reading;
• the validity period of the vaccination starts from the 21st day after completing the vaccination protocol of the first vaccination, and each subsequent vaccination must be administered within the validity period of the previous one.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets from third Countries

In addition to the general provisions for dogs, cats, and ferrets from third countries, there are rules that vary depending on whether the country is included in the list prepared by the European Commission and published in Part 2 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 577/2013. The list, constantly updated, can be consulted on the European Union website.

Third countries with favorable situations regarding rabies included in the list (Annex II, Part 2, of Regulation (EU) 577/2013)

Dogs, cats, and ferrets coming from these countries, identified by a microchip or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 07/03/2011, must be provided with a health certificate as per Annex IV of Regulation (EU) 577/2013, issued by an official veterinarian of the Competent Authority of the third country. The health certificate must attest to the rabies vaccination and, if applicable, an ongoing valid vaccination. For the rabies vaccination to be considered valid, it must be administered after the animal’s identification and in accordance with Annex III of Regulation (EU) 576/2013. In the case of the first rabies vaccination, at least 21 days must elapse before moving the animal.

Other third Countries

Dogs, cats, and ferrets identified by a microchip or a clearly readable tattoo applied before 07/03/2011 from other third countries must be provided with a health certificate as per Annex IV of Regulation (EU) 577/2013, issued by an official veterinarian of the Competent Authority of the third country. The certificate must attest, in addition to the rabies vaccination and, if applicable, an ongoing valid vaccination, to the successful execution (titre equal to or higher than 0.50 IU/ml) of the post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titration against the rabies virus.

This is a blood test that must be carried out at a laboratory recognized by the European Commission. The blood sample for titration must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, and in case of a favorable titration outcome, the animal can only be moved after three months from the date of blood sampling.

It should be noted that antibody titration does not need to be renewed for animals that have been regularly revaccinated after titration without interrupting the vaccination protocol prescribed by the manufacturing laboratory.

Consult the list of recognized laboratories

Reintroduction from third Countries

For the reintroduction of pets into Italy after introduction into a third country, under Article 27, paragraph 1, letter b), the community passport as per Part 1 of Annex III of Regulation (EU) 577/2013 can also be used, where compliance with the provisions required for introduction from third countries is attested. In this case, regarding the execution, if required, of the antibody titration against the rabies virus, it is not necessary to respect the minimum three-month period for blood sampling, as indicated for introduction from third countries; however, this is provided that the community passport attests that the execution, with favorable outcomes (titre equal to or higher than 0.50 IU\ml), of the antibody titration occurred at a laboratory recognized by the European Commission before the animal’s departure from Italy.

The checks of non-commercially moved pets are carried out at the travelers’ point of entry.

Consult:

List of entry points for non-commercially moved pets

Last updated on July 18, 2023.

Source: Ministry of Health – Travelling to Italy with pets

If you seek up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 in Italy to plan your trip, we recommend consulting the official source provided by the Ministry of Health – COVID-19 – Travelers.

It’s the most reliable resource to understand the current situation and recommendations for travelers in Italy.

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