Vaccinations and Medication Requirements When Travelling with a Pet
To travel with your pet, rabies vaccination is a legal requirement. Ferrets, cats, and dogs traveling by planes, trains, or ferries must meet the following criteria:
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Booster vaccinations must be kept up to date and administered before the expiry date indicated by your vet to avoid restarting the waiting period. Proof of this vaccination is needed on your Animal Health Certificate (AHC) or Export Health Certificate (EHC).
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For Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland, dogs require vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before entry. This treatment must contain praziquantel (or an equivalent) and be certified on your pet’s travel documents.
Entry Requirements for the UK When Travelling with a Pet
Pet Travel Essentials – Tapeworm Treatment:
There are important differences in rules when leaving and entering the UK. Before re-entry into Great Britain, most dogs must receive vet-administered tapeworm treatment within 24–120 hours before arrival. Exceptions apply when returning directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, or Norway. For example, if traveling to Spain or France, your dog won’t require treatment for the trip to those countries but will need it for the return to the UK.
Pet Travel Essentials – Rabies Test When Returning from Certain Countries:
When traveling with a pet from non-EU or “unlisted” countries, a rabies blood test (titer) taken at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 calendar months before travel may be required. This requirement varies by country, so it’s essential to check the UK government’s pet travel website.
- Remember that entry into the UK must be through designated entry points, whether returning from EU, non-EU, or unlisted countries.
Northern Ireland Specific Rules for Pet Travel:
Northern Ireland follows EU pet travel rules, even though it is part of the UK. When traveling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, consider the following:
- Your pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies (the 21-day waiting period post-vaccination applies).
- Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs 24–120 hours before travel.
- You must enter through a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE) in Northern Ireland.
Pet Travel Essentials – NI Pet Travel Scheme:
A new NI Pet Travel Scheme has been introduced as of June 4, 2025. An Animal Health Certificate is only needed for travelers continuing onwards to the EU. If you’re staying within Northern Ireland, residents from Great Britain can use a free NI Pet Travel Document instead.
- When returning to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, this is considered domestic travel, so no AHC, health certificate, or additional checks are necessary.
- You can apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document online, and it remains valid for as long as you own the pet.
