Bringing your pet to an EU country

You can take up to five pet dogs, cats or ferrets in a private vehicle to an EU country (at GOV.UK). You cannot take more than five pets unless you are:

• attending or training for an event, in which case you will need written evidence of registration; or
• exporting them for commercial purposes (at GOV.UK).

To travel with your pet to an EU country, you must:

1. Microchip your pet

You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they will need to be vaccinated again.

2. Get your pet vaccinated against rabies

Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. Your vet needs proof that your pet is at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.

How long you must wait before travelling depends on the type of rabies vaccine used. This will be at least 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last of the first course of vaccinations).

If your pet has already been vaccinated, check if they need a booster vaccination.

You do not need to wait to travel after a booster vaccination if there has been no break in the vaccine cover.

3. Get an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Get an AHC from your vet if you’re going to an EU country. Your pet’s AHC will be valid after the date of issue for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU;
• six months for onward travel within the EU after you enter the EU; and
• six months for re-entry to Great Britain.

You can add up to five pets to an AHC.

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU - even if it was issued in the EU. If you use a pet passport instead of an animal health certificate, your pet may be refused entry.

4. Check if your dog needs tapeworm treatment

Some countries require dogs to have a tapeworm treatment. Check if you need to treat your dog for tapeworm (at GOV.UK).

5. Arrive in the country

You’ll need to go through a travellers’ point of entry (at ec.eurpoa) when you arrive in an EU country.

You may need to show your pet’s AHC, containing proof of their:

• microchip
• rabies vaccination
• tapeworm treatment (if required)

6. Check your return journey

The rules for returning with your pet into Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) depend on what country you’re coming from.

Find out what you need to do if you’re bringing your pet to Great Britain at (GOV.UK).