Whether you’re moving home, returning from holiday, or starting a new adventure in Great Britain, travelling with your pet requires planning and paperwork. To make sure tails keep wagging at the border, here’s everything you need to know about bringing your dog, cat, or ferret into the UK.
Entry Requirements for Pets Travelling to Great Britain
To bring your pet into England, Scotland, or Wales, you must meet these four key requirements:
● Microchipping: Your pet must be microchipped before receiving its rabies vaccination.
● Rabies Vaccination: Must be administered at least 21 days before travel.
● Valid Travel Document: Depending on where you’re coming from, this could be:
● An Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
● A pet passport issued in the EU or Northern Ireland
● A GB Pet Health Certificate
● Tapeworm Treatment (dogs only): Required 24–120 hours before entry if you’re coming from certain countries (e.g. EU nations).
Accepted Pet Travel Documents
The document you need depends on where you’re travelling from:
| Travelling From | Accepted Documents |
| EU or NI | EU/Northern Ireland Pet Passport |
| Non-EU ‘listed’ countries (e.g. USA, Australia) | GB Pet Health Certificate |
| Great Britain | No documentation needed for domestic travel |
| Other countries | May require quarantine or additional vet checks |
Always check ahead of time, rules can differ by origin country. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain
Tapeworm Treatment Rules
If you’re bringing a dog into the UK from an EU country (except Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway), your pet must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must:
● Be administered by a vet
● Contain praziquantel or equivalent
● Be recorded in the travel document
● Be given 24–120 hours before arrival
This rule does not apply to cats or ferrets.
Using a Pet Travel Agent
Bringing a pet into the UK isn’t just about forms, it’s about ensuring a stress-free experience for both you and your companion. With a decade of expertise in navigating routes across Europe and the UK, including major airports like Heathrow and Gatwick, our experienced team promises a service that is not only reliable but also tailored to the unique needs of each pet. Travel with confidence knowing that your beloved companion is in the best hands. Choose Luxurious Pet Move Abroad for a journey as exceptional as your pet!
Arriving in Great Britain
You must enter via an approved route and declare your pet to customs. This often includes arrival through a designated Border Control Post (BCP) if your pet is travelling as cargo.
If travelling by car or ferry from Europe, popular entry points include:
● Folkestone (Eurotunnel)
● Dover (ferry)
● Harwich and Portsmouth
Some airlines also support pet travel, but not all UK airports accept pets, so double-check before you fl y.
What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Rules?
If your pet arrives without the proper documents, vaccinations, or treatments, they may:
● Be refused entry
● Be quarantined
● Or even be returned to the country of departure at your expense
Getting it right before you travel is essential.
Planning Your Pet’s Journey
Start preparing at least a month in advance of your travel date to allow for:
● Vet appointments
● Vaccination wait periods
● Paperwork checks
● Booking with a pet travel service (especially for long-haul or cargo routes)
Let us help you plan the smoothest journey possible – from your front door to your new life in the UK.
Ready to Bring Your Pet to the UK?
Luxurious Pet Move Abroad offers tailored support for pets entering the UK, from paperwork to pampering. We’ve helped hundreds of happy paws arrive safely.
🐾 Contact us for a custom pet travel quote
Or learn what documents you need when travelling out of the UK