Northen Ireland Pet Travel Scheme

The Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme allows you to travel with your pet from Great Britain to Northern Ireland using a lifelong pet travel document. This lasts for the lifetime of the pet and is free of charge. You will need to make sure your pet, or assistance dog, is microchipped before you travel.

Please click here to apply for a pet travel document. Apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document (at GOV.UK)

Once your pet travel document has been issued, you can travel with your pet or assistance dog from Great Britain directly to Northern Ireland as long as you:

• make sure that your pet’s details (microchip number and owner) are up to date on the pet travel document before you travel; and
• bring a digital or printed copy of your pet travel document. This includes a declaration that you will not travel onwards to Ireland or another EU country with your pet or assistance dog.

Each pet or assistance dog will need its own pet travel document. This is valid for the lifetime of the pet or assistance dog. If you change your details, such as your address, you will need to apply for a new pet travel document.

The Northern Ireland pet travel document is only valid for travel from Great Britain directly to Northern Ireland.

If you are travelling:

• beyond Northern Ireland into Ireland or another EU country with your pet or assistance dog, 
• From GB into Northern Ireland via a point of entry in Ireland

you will need to continue to follow the existing EU health and documentary requirements. The pet travel document is not valid for this type of travel.

You cannot travel to Northern Ireland under the scheme if you are moving animals for a commercial reason (such as moving puppies to sell or rehome). 

A movement is considered to be commercial if you are travelling with more than five pets. You can use the scheme to travel with more than five pets if you are attending or training for a competition, exhibition or sporting event in Northern Ireland and returning to Great Britain afterwards. Written evidence of registration will be required. Each of your pets will need to have their own pet travel document and be over six months old.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you do not need to apply for a pet travel document when returning from Great Britain with your pet or assistance dog. Nor do you need any other documentation to travel home. You will just need to make sure your pet, or assistance dog is microchipped before you travel.

If you’re travelling from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Your pet dog, cat or ferret will not need a pet passport or health certificate to enter Great Britain.