PetTravelCheck Know before you go

the UK pet travel requirements
for dogs, cats, and ferrets

Travelling to Great Britain usually means rabies paperwork, a fresh Animal Health Certificate for each trip, and tapeworm treatment for most dogs. Use the calculator below to check your dates before travel.

Rabies 21-day rule Tapeworm treatment Animal Health Certificate Breed restrictions

What your pet needs for the UK entry

  1. 1

    Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)

    Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

  2. 2

    Rabies vaccination — 21-day wait for primary vaccines

    Boosters given within validity have no wait. Lapsed boosters restart the 21-day clock.

  3. 3

    Tapeworm treatment (Echinococcus)

    Dogs only, must be given 24–120 hours before arrival. Exempt if travelling from: IE, FI, NO, MT, NI.

  4. 4

    Rabies antibody titre test

    Blood sample ≥30 days after vaccination, result ≥0.5 IU/ml, taken ≥3 months before travel.

  5. 5

    ⚠ Breed restrictions apply

    Certain dog breeds may be restricted — check with the national authority before travelling.

Check your compliance

Vaccination type

The date the rabies vaccine was administered

When you plan to cross the border with your pet

Pet type

Travelling to the UK with your pet

Great Britain — England, Scotland, and Wales — left the EU in 2021 and no longer accepts EU Pet Passports for entry. Every trip now requires a new Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an official vet in your country within 10 days of travel — this applies to pets from all origins, including EU and EEA countries. Unlike the EU Pet Passport, there is no multi-trip AHC: a fresh one is needed for every visit.

Dogs must also receive a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain. Dogs coming from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta are exempt. Pets arriving from countries not on the UK's approved list may additionally require a rabies antibody titre test taken at least 3 months before travel.

Northern Ireland operates different rules from Great Britain and remains within the Common Travel Area with Ireland. Always book your AHC vet appointment well in advance — official vets can be busy around peak travel periods.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use my EU Pet Passport when bringing my pet to the UK?
No. Since 1 January 2021, EU Pet Passports are not accepted for entry into Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). You need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official vet in your country within 10 days of each trip. A new AHC is required for every visit to Great Britain.
Are dogs from Northern Ireland exempt from tapeworm treatment when entering Great Britain?
Yes. Dogs originating from Northern Ireland are exempt from Great Britain's tapeworm treatment requirement, because Northern Ireland is considered Echinococcus-free. Dogs travelling from the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland are also exempt. Dogs from Great Britain itself (re-entering) are also exempt.
Does my pet need a rabies titre test to enter the UK from France?
No. France is on the UK's approved list, so a standard rabies vaccination plus an AHC is sufficient — no titre test required. A titre test is only required when travelling from countries not on the UK approved list (unlisted third countries).

Related resources

Rabies 21-Day Rule Calculator

Standalone rabies timing check for all EU/UK destinations

Tapeworm Treatment Timing Calculator

Calculate the exact 24–120h treatment window for UK entry

Travel to Ireland — also requires tapeworm

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