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The short answer
To take a dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain to an EU country, GOV.UK says your pet needs, in this order: a microchip, a rabies vaccination, a wait of “at least 21 full days” after the first vaccination, and an animal health certificate (AHC) from a vet. The AHC is valid for 10 days after issue to enter the EU. If you live in England, Scotland or Wales you “cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU”, even one issued in the EU. Dogs going to Finland, Ireland or Malta also need a tapeworm treatment.
The steps, in order
1. Microchip first
Your pet must be microchipped “before, or at the same time as” the rabies vaccination. If not, GOV.UK says the pet will need to be vaccinated again. Microchips meeting ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 can be read by EU airlines, train and ferry companies; with another type, you may have to bring your own reader. If your vet cannot read the chip at all, you will have to rechip, revaccinate and get a new certificate.
2. Rabies vaccination, then 21 days
Your vet needs proof that your pet is at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating. The vaccine must be an inactivated or recombinant vaccine approved in the country of use. GOV.UK sets the wait at “at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations)”, and “Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination”. Some vaccines take longer: GOV.UK’s own example is a vaccine given on 1 October that takes 30 days to work, so the pet can travel from 1 November. Ask your vet which applies.
If your pet is already vaccinated, no wait is needed after a booster “if there has been no break in the vaccine cover”. Miss the booster and the vaccinations restart.
3. Animal health certificate
Tell your vet you need an AHC when you take your pet to be vaccinated, so they have time to prepare it. It must be signed by an official veterinarian (OV); not every vet can issue one. Bring proof of the microchipping date and the vaccination history. Up to 5 pets can go on one certificate. Your vet will also give you a declaration to sign confirming you will not sell or re-home the pet abroad.
| Use of the AHC | Valid after the date of issue |
|---|---|
| Entry into the EU | 10 days (day 1 is the date of issue) |
| Onward travel within the EU | 6 months |
| Re-entry to Great Britain | 6 months |
You need a new AHC for each separate trip to the EU. GOV.UK adds that if the rabies vaccination expires during the trip, the certificate cannot be used for onward travel or re-entry.
4. Tapeworm treatment for dogs
GOV.UK lists Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland (unless you have a Northern Ireland pet travel document) and Norway as destinations where a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it. The treatment must be given “no less than 24 hours” and “no more than 5 days (120 hours)” before you arrive. It applies to dogs only; the treatment itself is the vet’s job, and the vet records the product, date and time. Coming back to Great Britain from most countries, your dog needs a tapeworm treatment for the return journey too; GOV.UK says none is needed when returning from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. For short trips of 5 days or less, a vet can treat your dog before you leave, provided you re-enter Great Britain at least 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) after the treatment; GOV.UK adds for these trips that you should treat your dog again within 28 days of returning.
5. Arriving
You enter through a travellers’ point of entry and may need to show the AHC or a valid pet passport with proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment (if required). GOV.UK also says to check the destination country for any extra rules. The same rules apply to assistance dogs.
Pet passports: who can still use one
| Where you live | Can a pet passport be used to enter the EU? |
|---|---|
| England, Scotland or Wales | No, “even if it was issued in the EU”; the pet may be refused entry |
| Northern Ireland | Yes, an EU pet passport can still be used |
Great Britain to Northern Ireland is different
GOV.UK treats travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland separately. You need a Northern Ireland pet travel document (PTD), which is free and lasts as long as you own the pet. With a PTD your pet must be microchipped but needs no rabies vaccination or tapeworm treatment. If you fly, you must tell DAERA at least 10 working days before you travel. Residents of Northern Ireland do not need a PTD for trips to and from Great Britain, but their pet must be microchipped.
Other practical limits
- Someone else travelling with your pet: allowed within 5 days of your own journey to the same destination, with a signed declaration from the owner named on the document.
- More than 5 pets: not allowed in a private vehicle to an EU country unless you are attending or training for an event or exporting commercially. A foot passenger can take up to 5.
Before you book
This page reports GOV.UK as checked on 11 November 2026; it is not legal or veterinary advice. Read Taking your pet abroad on GOV.UK and the destination country’s own rules before you travel. Questions go to the APHA Pet Travel helpline (03000 200 301, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm).
Away from home, the same food and plant dangers apply: onions and garlic for cats, lilies and cats, grapes and raisins for dogs, chocolate poisoning in dogs and xylitol and dogs.
Questions about this page
Can I still use my pet passport to travel from the UK to the EU?
Not if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. GOV.UK says you cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU, even one issued in the EU, and your pet may be refused entry. People living in Northern Ireland can still use an EU pet passport.
How long is an animal health certificate valid?
GOV.UK says 10 days after issue for entry into the EU, then 6 months for onward travel within the EU and 6 months for re-entry to Great Britain. You need a new one for each trip.
How soon after the rabies vaccination can my pet travel?
At least 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last of the first course), counting the day after the vaccination as day 1. Some vaccines take longer to work, so ask your vet.