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Pet Import from the UK to the EU – Rules & Requirements

Pet Import from the UK to the EU
– Rules & Requirements

General Requirements for Cats and Dogs

Microchip

A microchip is mandatory for importing pets into the EU. The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination and comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards.


Rabies Vaccination

  • The vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before travel.
  • If this is the pet’s first rabies vaccination, it must be given after the microchip has been implanted.
  • The vaccination must remain valid at the time of travel.

Rabies Antibody Titer Test

Not required for pets traveling from the UK to EU countries, as the UK is considered a rabies-controlled country.


EU Veterinary Certificate

  • If your pet does not have an EU Pet Passport, you must obtain an EU Veterinary Certificate from a licensed veterinarian in the UK before travel.
    If your pet does have an EU Pet Passport, a certificate is not required — but only if the last rabies vaccination was administered within the EU.
    If the rabies vaccine was given in the UK, even with an EU Pet Passport, an EU Veterinary Certificate is still required for entry into the EU.

  • The certificate must include:
    • Microchip details (date of implantation, chip number).
    • Rabies vaccination information (date of vaccination, batch number, validity).

Parasite Treatment (Deworming)

  • Mandatory only for dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland, or Norway.
  • The treatment must be administered 24–120 hours (1–5 days) before entry.
  • The medication must be effective against Echinococcus multilocularis.
  • The veterinarian must record the treatment in the EU Pet Passport or EU Veterinary Certificate, including the date, time, drug name, dosage, and veterinarian’s signature and stamp.
  • Parasite treatment is not required for cats or for dogs traveling to other EU countries, but it is recommended for general health.

Important Notes

  • Ensure that the EU Veterinary Certificate or Pet Passport is completed correctly to prevent delays at the border.
  • Rabies antibody titer testing is not required for UK pets, but all other veterinary requirements must be met.
  • Deworming is only mandatory for dogs entering specific EU countries but is advised for all pets.

Share this guide

You can send this page to a veterinarian, courier, relocation agent, or any specialist involved in preparing pet travel documents or organising the transportation of a pet.

In practice, short instructions published on official websites are often incomplete or simplified. This frequently leads to mistakes in veterinary documents, problems during airline check-in, or difficulties at border control. If you have any doubts, it is better to share this page with the person preparing the documents or travel route and double-check everything before the trip.

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