How to take your dog abroad: Vet explains what you need to know about travelling overseas with pets

Thinking about taking your dog abroad on holiday with you? Veterinary surgeon Antonia Nichols explains all you need to know – and why you need to start planning early

Published: Tuesday, 02 July 2024 at 14:57 PM

Taking your dog – or cat – on holiday means you don’t have to be parted with your much-loved pet, and you won’t have the worry of organising who will care for them while you’re away, says veterinary surgeon, Antonia Nichols.

How to travel with your dog internationally

To ensure you have a smooth, stress-free trip, it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you have all the correct paperwork in place for your pet by the time you’re due to travel.

It’s also a great idea to do some research so you’re up to speed on any relevant laws affecting pets in the country you’re going to and are aware of any potential health risks your pet may be exposed to while abroad.

Travelling within the EU – what you need to know

If you are travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet will need:

An Animal Health Certificate, unless you have a pet passport that was issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland with an up-to-date rabies vaccination.
A microchip
Up-to-date rabies vaccinations, started at least 21 days before the vet issues your travel documents.
Tapeworm treatment, needed for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta, and before you return home to the UK.

Dog passports: What are Animal Health Certificates and how do I get one?

Since Brexit, you are no longer able to use pet passports issued in England, Wales or Scotland to travel to EU countries or Northern Ireland. Instead your pet will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

UK vets are not allowed to enter anything other than details of worming treatments into EU pet passports, so rabies vaccinations must be done by EU vets if using these passports.

AHCs can only be used for one trip into the EU and are then valid for up to four months of travel within the EU, and for your return to the UK within that time limit.

To apply for an AHC, you must arrange for your pet to be examined by a vet who has been approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to issue the certificates. They are known as an Official Veterinarian (OV) and you should check that the vet practice you use has an OV – if not, they may be able to suggest one.

The OV must examine your pet no more than 10 days before you travel, so contact your vet practice well in advance to ensure you can get an appointment. An AHC is at least an 11-page document, so please allow time for your vet to complete it.

Your pet must be up-to-date with their rabies vaccination before an AHC can be issued, and vaccinations must have been started at least 21 days prior to completion of the AHC. Pets must be over 12 weeks old when vaccinated for rabies for an AHC.

If you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, your pet must also be given a tapeworm treatment, no less than 24 hours and no more than five days before you are due to arrive.

In other EU countries, you’ll need to see a vet in the country you are visiting to have a tapeworm treatment administered one to five days before you return to Great Britain.

Up to five pets can be added to an AHC, and the rules for travel apply to assistance dogs.

It is very important to have all the correct paperwork in place, with all the relevant information correctly filled out, otherwise your pet will not be able to travel. It can be a complicated process, but your veterinary practice should be able to help. The Government also offers guidance and has phone and email helplines that you can contact.

Travel outside of the EU

Different countries around the world have their own rules on whether you can take your pet there and some require a set of comprehensive tests and export health certificates. You can request export health certificates through the Government’s website (see above).

9 top tips for taking your dog- or any pet – abroad

Holidaying with the family pet requires a bit of planning, but is worth the effort. Credit: Getty images

1. Plan at least six months in advance and research carefully.

2. Check weather conditions before you decide on your destination as high temperatures can pose serious health risks to pets. Seek advice from your vet if your pet has any health conditions that may be impacted by travel.

3. Look into different travel options to minimise how much time your pet has to be in a car – for example, some ferry crossings have dog friendly areas or cabins, while others may require your dog to stay in the car for the entire journey.

4. Check your insurance details or speak to your provider to make sure your policy will cover your pet abroad.

5. If your pet is on any long-term medications or prone to certain ailments, discuss ways to plan for this with your vet.

6. Some countries and transport routes require dogs to be muzzled at all times, so you may need to buy one and get your dog used to it before your trip.

7. Consider what breed of dog you own, as countries can vary in what breeds they allow entry to.

8. Research a local vet close to where you’ll be staying, in case of emergencies and to arrange a worming treatment before your return.

9. Ask your vet about the risks of diseases and parasites in the geographical region you’ll be visiting, and how to prevent or reduce them.

More dog advice

Antonia Nichols is a vet and a clinical director of Farnham Veterinary Group. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, from playful puppies to geriatric pets.

Farnham Veterinary Group is part of VetPartners, a UK and European veterinary group, which includes first opinion practices for large animals, equine and small animals as well as a growing network of referral practices that offer specialist care for small animal and equine patients.