Travelling to the EU With Your Pet
Now that the UK is no longer part of the EU, the rules for travelling abroad with your pet have changed. The new pet travel rules came into effect on 1st January 2021 and you will need to be aware of them if you plan on travelling to the EU with your beloved pet. These rules apply to anyone travelling with a Dog, Cat or Ferret. It’s vital that you are fully aware of the new requirements and are organised well in advance to avoid any problems when travelling and to ensure the process is as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
Even if you have travelled with your pet before, there are some new things you’ll need to know. For example, you may have previously used a Pet Passport when travelling but these are now no longer valid for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland. Please be aware that the new rules require extra paperwork and you should also be prepared for additional documents, appointments with your vet and further costs.
When travelling to an EU country with your pet, they MUST have the following:
- A microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination
- An Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
- Tapeworm treatment- for select countries only
For more information please view our blog on Travelling to the EU with your pet.
Travelling Outside of the EU With Your Pet
We have Official Veterinarians (OVs) who are experienced at completing the relevant paperwork. Please note that for many non-EU countries (e.g. South Africa, Australia, New-Zealand etc.) you cannot use a Pet Passport, and an Export Health Certificate (EHC) is instead required.
For up-to-date information on your legal obligations when travelling abroad with your pet, we recommend that you contact the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for full details of current requirements.
Pet passports
Taking your pet to Europe can be very exciting, but it does require advance planning in order to ensure that all the required documentation and vaccinations are in place. Before travel your pet must:
- Have a valid Pet Passport signed by an Official Veterinarian
- Be microchipped
- Have been vaccinated against rabies at least three weeks before travelling
- Be protected against ticks for the whole time you are away. Ticks in Europe carry dangerous diseases that we don’t have in the UK. We recommend that you check your pet for ticks after walks and remove any you find with a tick remover.
- Have tapeworm treatment administered by a vet 24 – 120 hours before your scheduled arrival back to the UK (dogs only)
Depending on where you are going, you may also need Sandfly protection against Leishmania and also Heartworm protection. These diseases are not present in the UK but are found in southern Europe, so please talk to us for specific advice that suits both your plans and your pet.
Please note that for many non-EU countries (e.g. South Africa, Australia, New-Zealand etc.) you cannot use a Pet Passport, and an Export Health certificate (EHC) is instead required.
For up-to-date information on your legal obligations when travelling abroad with your pet, we recommend that you contact Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for full details of current requirements.