How do I take my dog abroad to the EU?

For people in England, Scotland or Wales taking a dog, cat or ferret to an EU country.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Your dog, cat or ferret needs:

a microchip
a rabies vaccination, then wait at least 21 days
an animal health certificate from your vet for each trip

The certificate is valid for 10 days for EU entry. People in England, Scotland and Wales can't use a pet passport to enter the EU. Some countries also need a tapeworm treatment for dogs.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Microchip and rabies jab
Wait 21 days
New certificate each trip

Your checklist and timeline

Here is what to do, in order, if you live in England, Scotland or Wales and are taking a dog, cat or ferret to an EU country.

Step	When	What to know
1. Microchip	Before or at the same time as the rabies jab	If chipped after the jab, your pet must be vaccinated again
2. Rabies vaccination	Pet must be at least 12 weeks old	Then wait 21 full days. Day 1 is the day after the jab
3. Animal health certificate	Within 10 days before you enter the EU	Your vet issues it. You need a new one for every trip
4. Tapeworm treatment (dogs, some countries)	24 hours to 5 days before you arrive	Only for Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland
5. Arrive	Through a travellers' point of entry	Up to 5 pets per private vehicle

Because the rabies jab cannot be given before 12 weeks and you must wait 21 days, a young puppy or kitten cannot travel to the EU until it is at least about 15 weeks old.

The animal health certificate

Ask your vet for the certificate. Take proof of your pet's microchip date and its vaccination history. Your vet will also include a declaration that you are not taking the pet abroad to sell or rehome it.

Use	How long the certificate is valid
Entering the EU	10 days from the date it is issued
Travelling between EU countries after you arrive	Up to 6 months
Coming back into Great Britain	Up to 6 months

A pet passport will not work if you live in Great Britain, even one issued in an EU country. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can still use an EU pet passport.

Rabies boosters

Keep your pet's rabies boosters up to date. If there is no gap in cover, you do not need to wait after a booster, and you do not need a new vaccination for each trip.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs

Dogs going to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland need tapeworm treatment from a vet. It must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive.

Example: if your dog is treated on Monday at 1pm, you must arrive after 1pm on Tuesday and before 1pm on Saturday.

Coming home to Great Britain, your dog needs tapeworm treatment from most countries. The exceptions are Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta and Norway. On a trip of 5 days or less, treatment before you leave can cover the return, but you must wait at least 24 hours after treatment before re-entering.

Travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

This is different. You can use a free Northern Ireland pet travel document instead. It lasts as long as you own the pet. Your pet must be microchipped, but it does not need a rabies jab or tapeworm treatment. The chip is scanned at the port or airport.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Get a certificate

Common questions

Can I still use a pet passport to travel to the EU?

Not if you live in England, Scotland or Wales, even if the passport was issued in an EU country. People living in Northern Ireland can still use an EU pet passport.

How long is an animal health certificate valid?

It is valid for entering the EU within 10 days of being issued, then for 6 months for onward EU travel and for coming back to Great Britain.

How old does a puppy have to be to travel to the EU?

Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old for its rabies jab, then you must wait at least 21 full days before travelling.

Does my dog need tapeworm treatment?

Only for Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, given between 24 hours and 5 days before you arrive.

Official sources

1.Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroadwww.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad
2.Getting an animal health certificatewww.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/getting-an-animal-health-certificate
3.Rabies vaccinations and boosterswww.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/rabies-vaccinations-and-boosters
4.Tapeworm treatment for dogswww.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/tapeworm-treatment-for-dogs

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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