Bringing your pet to the UK from an EU country

Preparing your dog, cat or ferret

– Have your pet microchipped: Before any of the other procedures are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.

– Have your pet vaccinated: Next, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies.

There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the first vaccination date.

A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date.

If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination.

Get pet travel documentation: For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport.

– Tapeworm treatment – (dogs only): before entering the UK, all dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm.

The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival in the UK.

There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment.

– Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route. Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country travelling with an approved DEFRA-Registered transport company on an authorised route.