Destination: Europe

Pet Travel to Europe – What You Need to Know

Europe isn’t one single rulebook – requirements can vary by country (EU, EEA, Switzerland and other non-EU destinations). But for most UK to EU/EEA dog and cat travel, the process follows a clear framework.

The essentials (most dogs and cats travelling from the UK to the EU/EEA)

1) Microchip first
Your pet must be microchipped before (or at the same time as) their rabies vaccination.

2) Rabies vaccination + waiting period
Pets must be vaccinated against rabies and typically need to wait at least 21 full days after their first vaccination course before travel.

3) The right travel document

If you live in the UK (England, Scotland or Wales), you can no longer use an EU pet passport to travel with your pet into the EU – even if that passport was issued in an EU country. This applies to all UK residents, including those with holiday homes or older EU-issued passports. If you try to use one, your pet could be refused entry at the border.

What replaces the pet passport?

• You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip:
• Issued by a vet within 10 days before travel
• Valid for one trip only (not lifelong like a passport)
• Covers travel into the EU and onward movement for a limited period
• A new certificate is required every time you travel

Why the change happened

• The EU has clarified that pet passports are only valid for pets whose owners are resident in the EU.
• Previously, some UK residents obtained EU-issued passports to simplify travel, but this is now no longer accepted.

What hasn’t changed

• You can still travel with pets – it’s not banned, just more paperwork
• EU-issued pet passports are still valid for people who actually live in the EU
• Entry rules into the UK remain the same

4) Tapeworm treatment (dogs only – for specific countries)
Dogs travelling directly to certain countries (including Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland) need a vet-administered tapeworm treatment no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before arrival.

5) Entry checks on arrival
Many EU countries require entry via a designated travellers’ point of entry where your pet’s identity and documents may be checked.

Do you need rabies blood tests (titre tests) for pet travel to Europe?
For pets travelling from the UK to the EU, a rabies blood test is not normally required, because the UK is treated as a low-risk, listed country for rabies in this context.

Don’t worry – you don’t have to figure this out alone. PetAir UK will confirm which route applies and manage the correct documentation and approvals.