Overview

When travelling with your dog or cat abroad, what you need to do will depend on what country you’re going to.

There are different rules for travelling with your pet to an EU country or Northern Ireland and for taking your pet to a non-EU country.

Travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland

When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet needs:

• A microchip

• A valid rabies vaccination

• An animal health certificate, or a valid pet passport that’s accepted in the country you’re travelling to

• You cannot use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).

• Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta

Getting an animal health certificate

You need an animal health certificate for your dog, cat or ferret if you’re travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

You can add up to 5 pets to an animal health certificate.

When to get an animal health certificate

You must get an animal health certificate in the 10 days before you enter the EU as long as your pet either:

• has an up-to-date rabies vaccination already

• only needs booster doses to keep the vaccination up to date

If your pet needs a rabies vaccination, you must wait 21 days after the vaccination date before you get an animal health certificate. Day 1 is the day after vaccination.

Tell your vet you need an animal health certificate when you take your pet to get vaccinated. This gives your vet time to prepare it.

How to get an animal health certificate

You must take your pet to your vet to get an animal health certificate.

The certificate needs to be signed by an ‘official veterinarian’ (OV). At Eco Vets we have two OV vets who can help you with the travel process and requirements.

When you visit your vet, you’ll need to take proof of your pet’s:

• microchipping date

• vaccination history

Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland

• 4 months for onward travel within the EU

• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Travelling with more than 5 pets

You cannot take more than 5 pets to an EU country or Northern Ireland unless you’re attending or training for a:

• competition

• show

• sporting event

You’ll need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel.

All your pets must:

• be attending the event or training

• be over 6 months old

• meet all the other requirements for pet travel to that country

Explore the complete government guide at https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad. At Eco Vets, we're here to assist you with your travel documents, boasting multiple experienced OV vets on our team.