Pet Travel & Export Health Certificates
This guidance applies to people travelling to and from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) with their pets, including assistance dogs.
This guidance is only for non-commercial travel.
Different rules apply for commercial movements.
You must follow the correct guidelines when travelling:
• between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• between Great Britain and the EU
• or when travelling to non-EU countries
Travelling into an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain
You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain to travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland.
You can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland (for Northern Ireland, see additional guidance).
When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland
Your pet needs:
A microchip or a readable tattoo if applied before rabies vaccination
A rabies vaccination at least 21 days before certification, and the pet must have been at least 12 weeks old at vaccination
An Animal Health Certificate, unless you have a valid pet passport issued in the EU or Northern Ireland
Tapeworm treatment for dogs if travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland or Malta
You will need to go through a Travellers’ Point of Entry when you arrive in the EU or Northern Ireland.
A full list of rules can be found on the official EU website.
Always check the specific rules of the country you are travelling to or transiting through, as additional requirements may apply.
Repeat trips to an EU country or Northern Ireland
Your pet will need a new Animal Health Certificate for each trip.
A repeat rabies vaccination is not required, as long as rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.
Getting an Animal Health Certificate
You must book an appointment with one of our Official Veterinarians (OV) to obtain an Animal Health Certificate.
The certificate will be specific to:
• the country you are entering
• and can be used for onward travel within the EU
The certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before travel.
Please book as early as possible, as only Official Veterinarians can issue this document.
We will request details about your pet and travel plans in advance.
You must bring proof of:
• Microchipping date • Rabies vaccination history
Validity of the Animal Health Certificate
The certificate is valid for:
• 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
• 4 months for onward travel within the EU
• 4 months for re-entry into Great Britain
A new certificate is required for each trip from Great Britain.
EU Entry
EU Travel
Return to GB
Travelling into Great Britain with your pet
A valid EU-issued pet passport can still be used to enter Great Britain.
Before entering Great Britain, pets must be:
• Microchipped
• Vaccinated against rabies (at least 12 weeks old at vaccination)
For pets vaccinated for the first time, travel is only permitted 21 days after vaccination.
Dogs entering Great Britain must receive tapeworm treatment:
• No less than 24 hours
• No more than 120 hours (5 days) before entry
Pet Travel Documents
When entering or returning to Great Britain, your pet must have one of the following:
• An EU-issued pet passport
• A GB-issued pet passport (if issued before 1 January 2021)
• A pet passport from a listed non-EU country