How to take a pet abroad from Great Britain and choose transport

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Start with the destination's rules and the requirements for returning, then book transport. An “international passport” does not remove the need to check the actual route. This guide concerns owners in England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland has separate arrangements.

Travelling to the EU

GOV.UK currently requires owners living in Great Britain to obtain an animal health certificate, or AHC, including where the pet holds an EU-issued passport. The animal needs a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and the required waiting period after an initial course. Check whether the destination requires tapeworm treatment for dogs. GOV.UK: travelling to the EU ↗.

An official veterinarian must issue the AHC no more than ten days before EU entry. When checked on 7 October 2026, the certificate was valid for onward EU travel for six months from entry into the EU. Re-entry to GB has a different limit: six months from the date the AHC was issued, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever is earlier. APHA: return document checks ↗. Each separate new trip requires a new AHC. AHC issue and validity ↗.

Travelling outside the EU

Check the destination government's veterinary requirements, including transit conditions. An export health certificate and an export application may be needed. The relevant British official veterinarian completes the certification; not every vet at a practice is authorised to sign it. Additional tests, import permits and timing depend on the destination. GOV.UK: non-EU destinations ↗.

Choose transport before paying

Give the carrier the species, breed, age, animal-and-crate weight, crate dimensions and all connections. Ask where the pet will travel, who handles transfers, water and delays, and which documents are checked at departure. Obtain a complete written quotation: the animal's fare, cargo handling, agents' services and booking changes may be charged separately.

Do not select a sedative yourself. Discuss fitness to travel and any medication with the vet. For a complicated journey, ask the transport specialist to explain every handover between operators.

Plan the return journey

Before leaving, check entry requirements for Great Britain ↗, document validity and any tapeworm treatment needed before the return. If the trip extends beyond certificate or vaccination validity, establish in advance who can arrange the necessary documents abroad. Allow time for a veterinary appointment and border checks.