Taking your dog abroad from Great Britain: the pet travel rules

What your dog needs to travel from England, Scotland or Wales to an EU country or Northern Ireland, and back. The rules change: check GOV.UK before you book.

1. Microchip

Your dog must be microchipped before, or at the same time as, its rabies vaccination.

2. Rabies vaccination

Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies, and you must wait at least 21 full days after the first vaccination before you travel. If your dog's vaccination hasn't lapsed, a booster has no wait.

3. Animal health certificate

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can't use a pet passport to enter the EU: you need an animal health certificate, signed by an official vet. Your own vet may be one, or can help you find one. Take your dog's microchip date and vaccination history.

You must travel within 10 days of it being issued. It then covers travel between EU countries for 6 months, and coming back to Great Britain within 6 months. You need a new one for each trip from Great Britain to the EU, and one certificate covers up to 5 pets.

4. Tapeworm treatment (some countries)

For Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland (unless you have a Northern Ireland pet travel document) and Norway, a vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it, no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive. The treatment must contain praziquantel or an equivalent.

Coming back from those countries, no treatment is needed. Coming back from most other countries, you need to arrange one.

Coming back

What your dog needs to come back depends on where you're coming from. GOV.UK has the rules for each country.

Not taking your dog?

Our guide to kennels, home boarding and sitters covers the other way round.

Questions owners ask

How long before travelling does my dog need its rabies vaccine?

At least 21 full days after the first vaccination. A booster given before the old one lapses has no wait.

How long is an animal health certificate valid?

You must travel within 10 days of it being issued. It then covers onward travel in the EU for 6 months, and coming back to Great Britain within 6 months.

Does my dog need tapeworm treatment to go to Ireland?

Yes. A vet must treat your dog between 24 hours and 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive, and record it. Coming back from Ireland, no treatment is needed.

Can I use a pet passport?

Not if you live in England, Scotland or Wales: you need an animal health certificate. People living in Northern Ireland can use an EU pet passport.

Find one near you

Every business you can book on Pooky Dog is checked: ID and insurance, and a council licence where the law needs one.

Where this comes from

Checked against these on 4 October 2026. The law can change: check the source before you rely on it.