Back to All International Travel RequirementsOfficial UK Travel Guide
Traveling with Your Dog from European Union to United Kingdom
Flying from the EU to the UK with your dog? Here's everything you need to ensure a smooth journey.
Basic Requirements
- • Your dog must have a microchip that can be read by a universal scanner
Must be implanted before rabies vaccination - • Valid rabies vaccination
• You need to wait 21 days after primary vaccination before travel to the UK
• Your dog needs to be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated - • One of the following documents:
- • EU Pet Passport
- • An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 4 months
- • A Great Britain Pet Health Certificate
- • A pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021
- • Tapeworm Treatment
• Must be administered 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before entry
• Must contain praziquantel or equivalent effective against Echinococcus multilocularis
• Must be recorded in your pet's travel document by the administering vet - • Non-commercial Movement Declaration
You must declare that you are not selling or transferring ownership of your dog to a new owner in the UK
Required Documentation
- • Valid Travel Document (one of the following):
- • EU Pet Passport
- • Animal Health Certificate issued in GB (valid for 4 months)
- • GB Pet Health Certificate
- • Pre-2021 GB Pet Passport
- • Must include microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and tapeworm treatment
Approved Routes and Transport
- • Dogs must travel in cargo on commercial flights, except for:
- • Recognized assistance or guide dogs
- • Dogs traveling on chartered private planes (find available charter flights here)
- • Must arrive via an approved airport with Animal Reception Centre
Timeline & Planning
- 1. Microchip implantation (before or with rabies vaccination)
- 2. Rabies vaccination (minimum age 12 weeks)
- 3. Wait 21 days after vaccination
- 4. Book approved transport company
- 5. Ensure you have valid travel documentation
- 6. Tapeworm treatment (1-5 days before entry)
Banned Dog Breeds
Important: The following dog breeds/types are not permitted entry into the UK under any circumstances:
- • Pit Bull Terrier
- • Japanese Tosa
- • Dogo Argentino
- • Fila Brasileiro
- • XL Bully dogs
Classification is based on physical characteristics rather than breed papers. If your dog matches many characteristics of these breeds, it may be considered a banned type.
Based on the official UK guidelines for bringing your dog into Great Britain
Last updated: November 5, 2024