Microchip
In order to identify your pet (dog, cat or ferret) it must be fitted with a microchip, before or same day as the initial rabies vaccination is carried out.
The microchip number of the animal must be identical to the microchip number on the pet’s documentation.
A tattoo from any country in the world is acceptable providing it has been done at the latest on the 3 July 2011.
When the vet is completing your pet’s official travel documents, make sure the date of implantation or date of reading of the microchip is the same date as, or before, the rabies vaccination.
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EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate
The UK is now categorised as a Part 2 listed third country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. This means if your pet(s) have an EU Pet Passport, issued in Great Britain, this will no longer be valid for travel to the EU and you will be required to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
However, if your pet(s) have an EU Pet Passport, issued in Great Britain before 1st January 2021, they will be accepted for entry into the UK, if the rabies vaccination was administrated before the 31st December 2020 and currently valid on day of travel of the pet.
From the 1st January 2021, UK or EU vets are no longer authorised to complete the Rabies Section in a GB pet passport for a booster or a primo vaccination against rabies.
For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU Pet Passport.
If you are preparing your animal in a non EU Listed or Unlisted Third Country or Territory, you will need to obtain an Official Third Country Veterinary Health Certificate.
For more information click here
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Rabies vaccination
Your pet (who must be at least 12 weeks old at time of vaccination) must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement.
The vaccine name and manufacturer, as well as vaccination date, valid from and expiry dates must be recorded in the AHC or EU Pet Passport by a registered vet (signature and stamp or vet details are mandatory) in the relevant boxes in Rabies Section of the EU Pet Passport or AHC.
There is no exemption to this requirement. If you are travelling from EU and listed non-EU countries, the length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the vaccination date (the vaccination date counts as day 0). A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date and recorded in your pet's official documentation. If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination.
Travel to/from the EU must take place within the current vaccination validity.
When the vet is completing your pet’s official travel documents (AHC or EU Pet Passport), make sure the date of implantation or date of reading of the microchip is the same date as, or before, the rabies vaccination.
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Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
Your dog must be treated against tapeworm before travelling to the UK.
Treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the dog's scheduled arrival time in the UK. Treatment date and time must be recorded by the vet in the pet’s documentation.
Short trips
If you’re leaving Great Britain for a short trip, your dog must be treated by a vet before you go. You must wait for 24 hours before re-entering Great Britain and return within 120 hours or you’ll need to get another treatment abroad. You should treat your dog again within 28 days of returning to Great Britain.
Please note if the tapeworm treatment is not administered in time or correctly documented by a vet, it will result in your pet being refused travel.
Tapeworm treatment must:
- Be administrated by a vet
- Must contain Praziquantel to be effective against Echinococcus tapeworm
The following products : Stronghold, Advocate, Frontline or Frontline Combo, Nexgard or Nexgard Spectra will not be accepted and will result in the animal being refused travel.
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Veterinary certificate (for Rabbits, Rodents, and Reptiles etc)
This is a health certificate document for domestic pets (other than dogs, cats, ferrets) from non-EU country to EU. This form must be completed by a vet within 10 days of travel, and can be used to travel to and from the UK and France. It will be inspected by border control agents, so there is no need to visit our Pet Reception, or declare these animals on your booking.
Download the form
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Blood test (not required)
Blood test is no longer required if you are entering the UK from EU and listed non-EU countries .
If entering the UK from unlisted non-EU countries a blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and the length of the waiting period before allowing a dog, cat, ferret to travel is three calendar months from the date your vet took the blood sample which led to a satisfactory test result from an approved laboratory.
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