Overseas travel

In May 2025, the UK Government and the EU announced an agreement for the return of pet passports for Great Britain (GB) dog, cat, and ferret owners wishing to travel to the EU. However, no date has been provided for when pet passports will be available for GB residents again, therefore, the existing Animal Health Certificate regime continues to be in force. We will update this page once further details become available regarding new GB pet passports.

On 4 June 2025, new pet travel rules came into effect when travelling with a dog from GB into Northern Ireland (NI).

For dog owners based in Great Britain (GB), new pet travel rules came into force in January 2021, meaning that going from GB to Europe and Northern Ireland with your dog will now look a little different.

For travel into the EU, an Animal Health Certificates is required.

You will need to visit your vet at least one month before travelling to ensure that your dog is microchipped and has a valid rabies vaccination. You will also need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate. 

Animal Health Certificates can only be issued by an official veterinarian, so you will need to find a practice that offers this service and book your appointment in advance, in case they are busy. An Animal Health Certificate is valid for up to ten days after the date of issue for entry into Northern Ireland or the EU. It is also only valid for one return trip, meaning that you will need to obtain a new certificate each time you leave Great Britain to enter Northern Ireland or the EU. An Animal Health Certificate is only valid for re-entry to Great Britain for four months after the date of issue.

If travelling onwards within the EU, the Animal Health Certificate will be valid for four months after the date of issue.

Certificates typically cost between £100 and £200 each.

Prices may vary according to veterinary practice, so shopping around may be an option.

As of 4 June 2025, those who live in Great Britain require a Northern Ireland pet travel document (also referred to as a PTD) to travel from Great Britain into Northern Ireland with their dog, including assistance dogs.

The Northern Ireland pet travel document is free and lasts as long as you retain ownership of your dog, with the only requirement that your dog is microchipped. There is no requirement for rabies vaccination or tapeworm treatment to travel from GB to NI with a Northern Ireland pet travel document.

There are no paperwork or health preparation requirements to travel from Northern Ireland to Great Britain with your dog.

If you live in Northern Ireland, the only requirement to travel from GB to NI is that your dog is microchipped. There is no requirement for those who live in Northern Ireland to obtain a Northern Ireland pet travel document to travel in either direction between GB and NI.

As we understand, there is no legal provision for a dog which is not microchipped to travel from GB to NI.

When travelling to Finland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, or Malta with your dog, they will need tapeworm treatment in advance.

Tapeworm treatment is required between 24 hours and 120 hours before arriving in Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta. This must be administered by a vet before every journey. Your vet must record the name and manufacturer of the product used to treat your dog, the date and time they treated your dog, and their stamp and signature in your dog’s Animal Health Certificate.

With the exception of re-entry directly from Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta, these tapeworm treatment requirements also apply to re-entry into Great Britain from the EU.

Arriving at the border without the correct paperwork could mean that you are turned away to return to Great Britain, or your dog is placed into quarantine. You will be required to bear the costs of quarantine if your dog does not meet the entry requirements and will be required to book the quarantine premises. Your dog will be eligible for release from quarantine when it meets the entry requirements.

We advise that you ensure you have the correct paperwork well in advance of your trip to enable you to travel onwards with ease.

As was the case previously, there is a limit of five animals (dogs, cats, and ferrets) that one individual can travel with. Those travelling from the UK to an EU member state, or travelling into the UK from the EU, with more than five dogs to a competition, show, or training for such an event, will need to complete a a declaration form. This declaration will allow an exemption from the requirements for commercial movements.

From 1 October 2021, those travelling from Great Britain into Northern Ireland with more than five animals for an event will require written evidence of registration for the event.

Dog owners based in Northern Ireland may continue to use an EU pet passport to travel to EU countries with their dog. Pet passports issued before 1 January 2021 will need to be updated by a veterinarian participating in the Pet Passport Scheme. Please note that compliance with relevant tapeworm treatment rules is also required.

If you live in Northern Ireland, the only requirement to travel between NI and GB is to ensure your dog is microchipped. There is no requirement for those who live in Northern Ireland to obtain a Northern Ireland pet travel document to travel in either direction between GB and NI.

As we understand, there is no legal provision for a dog which is not microchipped to travel from GB to NI.

For more information regarding pet travel rules for Northern Ireland, please visit the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ website.

• Will your dog be happy, comfortable and safe during long car journeys?
• Will the weather at your holiday destination be suitable for your dog?
• Will the location be suitable for your dog?

• Dog bed
• Bowls for food and water
• Poo bags
• Dog lead and/or harness
• Details for a local vet where you will be staying, in case of any emergencies and for the administration of tapeworm treatment as required
• Favourite toys

Please be aware that new restrictions apply regarding taking pet food from Great Britain into the EU (and Northern Ireland from 1 October 2021). You can no longer take products of animal origin with you, including pet food. A limited exemption applies for special pet food required for medical reasons, as long as it weighs less than 2 kilograms. Unless you qualify for the exemption you will need to plan where you will be purchasing your dog’s food from when abroad.

Before you leave the house, make sure your dog is wearing its collar and identification tag, and that your details on the tag are correct and up-to-date.

Due to the new pet travel requirements and checks outlined above, it is likely that border crossings may take longer than usual. As such, we advise you to plan to arrive at border checkpoints at cooler times of the day – such as in the early morning or later in the evening – in case of delays and potential warm weather.

Always update your holiday details on your pet’s microchip record before you travel. Petlog, for example, is a member of the European Pet Network so can still help to reunite holidaying owners and pets.

It is also worth checking that your pet insurance will cover your trip and, if not, take out insurance to ensure your dog is protected when on holiday abroad.

It is essential that you never leave your dog in the car, especially in warm or hot weather. Always check ahead whether businesses are dog-friendly and plan your activities to ensure that your dogs are inside during the warmest hours of the day.