Travelling with Pets

Topics:

When travelling with your pet dog, cat or ferret, the rules you must follow depend on the country you are going to or coming from and the purpose of your travel.

Last updated on 17 June 2024

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

Overview

Regulation (EU) 576/2013 details the documentary, health and compliance check requirements for the non-commercial movement of pet dogs (including assistance dogs), cats and ferrets between and into EU Member States (MS) including Northern Ireland (NI) to avoid the quarantining of animals.

‘Non-commercial movement’ means any movement which does not have at its aim either the sale of or the transfer of ownership of a pet animal.

The EU Pet Travel Regulation covers the movement of up to five pets with their owners, where the owner travels with or within 5 days of the pet(s). An authorised person may travel with the pet(s) on behalf of the owner, subject to authorisation in writing from the owner.

If the non-commercial movement is for more than five pets and for the purpose of going to shows, competitions or training events please see below.

If the movement is a commercial movement, see Commercial movement - captive birds, other than pet birds or racing pigeons immediately released after entry

Pet Travel since 1 January 2021 from Great Britain

Since 1 January 2021, Great Britain (GB) has become a ‘Part II Listed’ Third Country, for the purposes of pet travel and is therefore no longer a member of the EU Pet Travel Scheme.

This change in GB country status means there are additional documentary requirements, health preparations and checks for travelling with a pet from GB to NI, including rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport for NI travellers or an EU Health Certificate for GB travellers.

Following further negotiations on the NI Protocol, the United Kingdom (UK) Government and the EU have agreed the Windsor Framework, which includes changes to pet travel requirements for GB pet owners travelling with their pets to NI. Work is underway to establish these new operational arrangements and guidance will be updated in due course, ensuring sufficient time to prepare for any changes. Further details on the Windsor Framework can be found at NI Pet Travel | assets.publishing.service.gov.uk.

Until further notice, all current requirements for the non-commercial movements of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) as set out below in relation to the country you are travelling from continue to apply.

Requirements/Preparations for Pet Travel

The requirements for travel to EU Member States (including NI) with your pet depends on the country you are travelling from.

The category your country falls into will determine the preparations you need to make for your pet to travel. Details for each category are set out below:

Category 1 - Travelling within EU Member States (including NI) or Travelling from a Part 1 listed country to an EU Member State (including NI)

A list of EU Member States can be found at EU EEA | gov.uk and a list of Part 1 countries can be found Listing of territories and non-EU countries | food.ec.europa.eu

A pet need:

  • a microchip,
  • a rabies vaccination administered by an authorised vet. The animal must be microchipped, and the chip checked and verified prior to the vaccine being administered, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,
  • to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity (as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination being administered has developed., This must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the appropriate date the vaccination is valid from in the passport / EU Health Certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),
  • a valid EU issued pet passport or an EU Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 months onward travel within the EU),
  • Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta,
  • Check with your transport company, as they may require a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

Category 2 - Travelling from a Part 2 listed country (including GB) to an EU Member State (including NI)

A list of part 2 listed countries can be found at Listing of territories and non-EU countries | food.ec.europa.eu

A pet needs:

  • a microchip,
  • a rabies vaccination administered by an authorised vet. The animal must be microchipped, and the chip checked and verified prior to the vaccine being administered, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,
  • to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity (as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination being administered has developed, this must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet must record the appropriate date the vaccination is valid from in the passport / EU Health Certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),
  • a single use EU Health Certificate confirming microchip and vaccinations (valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 months onward travel within the EU,
  • Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta,
  • to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers’ Point of Entry,
  • Check with your transport company as they may require a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

Category 3 -Travelling from an unlisted country into an EU Member State (including NI) An unlisted country is any country not included in the list of EU, Part 1 or Part 2 listed countries.

A pet needs:

  • a microchip
  • a rabies vaccination which must be administered by an authorised vet and the chip checked and verified prior to the vaccine being administered, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered.
  • a blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and the blood test must show the vaccination was successful. (the date of the vaccination counts as day zero not day 1)
  • a single use EU Health Certificate confirming microchip and vaccinations (valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 months onward travel within the EU.
  • Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta
  • to wait 3 calendar months after the blood test shows the vaccination was successful before travelling.
  • to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers’ Point of Entry
  • Check with your transport company as they may require a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

(You don’t have to wait 3 months if your pet was vaccinated, blood tested and given a pet passport in the EU (including NI) before travelling to an unlisted country)

If you are travelling to NI by air you must contact DAERA for further information at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Travelling from NI to GB but NOT returning to NI

If travelling from NI to GB with your pet and not returning to NI, there are no documentary or health preparation requirements. However, there is a legal requirement that dogs are microchipped at 8 weeks old.

Travelling from NI to the Republic of Ireland (ROI)

There is no change to the requirements for travelling between NI and ROI. You should follow the guidance regarding Category 1 countries – travelling within EU Member States.

Going to shows, competitions or training for an event

If you are travelling to a show in NI or returning to NI from a show or a competition or training event you need to meet the requirements above for the category of country, you are travelling from.

In addition, if you are travelling to shows, competitions or training with six or more pets from any country, including GB, you must complete the Declaration in the link below “Pets Declaration for Events in NI.

You must make the completed declaration available to a DAERA Portal Inspector upon arrival in NI.

Guide dogs and other assistance dogs.

  • The rules for assistance dogs travelling under the EU pet travel scheme are the same as for other dogs.
  • Assistance dogs must meet all the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme or may be subject to quarantine on arrival into NI.
  • Assistance Pets may be permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin with their owner with carriers registered to carry assistance dogs and on approved routes. This may apply to other means of transport also.
  • You are advised to contact your travel operator in advance of your journey to ensure you are prepared and aware of all their requirements.
  • The Guide Dogs Association has advice about taking assistance dogs abroad.

Pet Checks

At present, there are no routine physical or documentary checks on the non-commercial movement of UK resident pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling with their owners or authorised person between GB and NI. However, officials reserve the right to undertake checks should there be a suspicion of illegal activity or welfare concerns.

Routine compliance checks upon entry into NI continue to be required for

  • Pets originating from outside GB or EU travelling to NI.
  • Pets travelling from GB to EU Member States via NI

Where routine checks are required, you must report to the NI Traveller’s Point of Entry (TPE) upon arrival in NI and present your pet to DAERA officials for documentary and identity checks. Where you intend to travel onwards from NI, you must present the Pet Passport or Health Certificate to DAERA Officials upon entry in NI. It is advised to contact the TPE in advance of arrival.

In accordance with the EU pet regulation 576/2013 if you don’t have the correct documents or your pet hasn’t been properly prepared it may be detained and sent back to the country it travelled from. You must pay the costs for this.

The NI Traveller’s Point of Entry are:

Ports

Belfast Port – contact Belfast.portal@daera-ni.gov.uk

Larne Port – contact Larne.portal@daera-ni.gov.uk

Airports

Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport can be contacted at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk

Movement of pets from NI to outside the EU

Before travelling, it is recommended that you contact the competent authority of the country of destination as there may be additional requirements to those listed about that have to be met.

If you need to apply for an export health certificate instructions can be found at the link below:

Getting a pet passport

Since 1 January 2021, UK style EU Pet Passports issued in GB or NI up to 31 December 2020 are no longer valid. However, as NI remains part of the EU pet travel scheme, NI travellers can obtain a valid EU pet passport in NI to use as an alternative to an EU Health Certificate.

You can obtain a pet passport directly from one of the veterinary practices participating in the pet travel scheme. See link below for details:

List of Practices participating in the Pet Passport Scheme

Further details on how to complete a passport can be found at EU Pet Travel Scheme - How to Complete Pet Passports.

Pets that have entered NI on a Health Certificate

If you travel with an EU health certificate (EHC) rather than an EU pet passport, you should report to the travellers’ point of entry at time of arrival in NI, to have the EHC endorsed by Portal Officials, which will allow you to use the EHC for 4 months onwards travel into the EU.

Without this endorsement, the EHC will not be valid for onwards travel to the EU.

Welfare of Animals

When travelling with an animal irrespective of number of animals you are travelling with, you must meet the welfare requirements laid down in 'The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 as amended'. Further guidance and information regarding animal welfare during transport can be found on Welfare of animals during transport.

Microchipping

Prior to the rabies vaccination, the pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must be marked by the implantation of a microchip (see technical specifications in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013)

You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip doesn’t meet ISO standards.

Tattoo

You don’t need to have your pet microchipped if it has been tattooed with an identification number and all of the following are true:

  • your pet was tattooed before 3 July 2011
  • the tattoo is clearly legible.
  • your pet was vaccinated against rabies after it was tattooed.

Your vet must record the date of tattooing, the tattoo number and the date of the rabies vaccination in the pet passport or official health certificate.

Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

See guidance at Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad | gov.uk

Movements for other types of pets

If travelling with other pets such as, reptiles, birds , rodents, rabbits please contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk for further advice and guidance. See also other animal species movements from GB to NI at Other animal species movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

More useful links

General

Where can I get further information regarding pet travel?

Information on this website is regularly updated as changes occur.

If you cannot find an answer to your query, please contact:

Related articles

Back to top