Travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland
Due to Brexit, there have been some changes to what is needed before you can take your pet to the EU, as well as to Northern Ireland.
The main change is that you can no longer use your pet passport to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland, unless it was issued in one of these countries. If it was issued in England, Wales or Scotland, you will need an animal health certificate. These can only be used for one journey.
When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet needs:
- An animal health certificate, unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland
- A microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination, at least 21 days before you travel
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.
If you are returning to the UK, you must visit a vet in the country you are visiting to have a tapeworm treatment administered one to five days before you travel. This does not apply if you are returning from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.
These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.
The animal health certificate is a time consuming piece of documentation to complete, and requires an examination from your vet no more than ten days before you travel. Please give us plenty of notice to ensure that we can fit you in, as if we do not have available appointments, you will not be able to travel without it. Contact us if you have any questions.
For anyone wishing to travel to an unlisted third country then please contact the surgery for more details as different rules will apply and this process and production of associated documents can take up to a minimum of three months. We also advise that you visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website for full information.
Other things to check before you go include the approved transport companies and authorised routes for travel. Do you have pet insurance? Is your accommodation pet-friendly? Also consider what breed of dog you own, as countries can vary in what breeds they class under dangerous dog acts.
For further information visit:
Or telephone Pets Health Line on 0370 241 1710.