Moving to the United Kingdom with animals – safe, compliant, and animal-friendly DACHSER & KOLB: Consulting, process planning, and coordination with partners for professional animal transport to the UK.
Moving to the island is a big adventure—especially for your four-legged family members. Since Brexit, some of the conditions have changed, but with the right preparation, the journey will be stress-free for your dog, cat, or ferret. We'll show you what you need to bear in mind to ensure your pet arrives safely in England, Scotland, or Wales.
Early planning and documents for a stress-free move with pets to the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is considered a rabies-free country and therefore has strict regulations in place to protect this status. To avoid a 4-month quarantine, the following requirements (the “Pet Travel Scheme”) must be met:
✓ Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped before receiving the rabies vaccination.
✓ Rabies vaccination: The vaccination must have been administered at least 21 days prior to entry.
✓ EU pet passport: A valid document issued by an authorized veterinarian (from the EU/EEA: Pet Passport; third countries: Great Britain Pet Health Certificate).
✓ Tapeworm treatment (dogs only): Must be carried out by a veterinarian 24 to 120 hours (1–5 days) before arrival in the UK and documented in the passport.
Important for Northern Ireland: As Northern Ireland remains part of the EU single market for animals, some rules differ from those applicable to the rest of the UK (Great Britain). Please check this separately in advance.
Related topics
- UK customs regulations → Find out more now
- Emigrating to the United Kingdom? → All the important information
- UK entry regulations → What you need to know
Health and vaccination requirements for moving animals to the United Kingdom
Rabies vaccination
- Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it receives its first rabies vaccination.
- There must be at least 21 days between the first rabies vaccination (“primary immunization”) and entry into the country.
- The vaccine, date of vaccination, period of validity/due date of the next vaccination, and the veterinarian's stamp and signature must be documented in the pet passport or health certificate.
Regularly updated vaccinations are recognized; continuous vaccination protection without gaps is what counts.
Microchip & EU pet passport
- The microchip is implanted before or at the latest at the same time as the rabies vaccination.
- The chip number, date of implantation, and vaccinations must be clearly recorded in the EU pet passport or British health certificate.
- When entering from the EU, the EU pet passport is often sufficient; for third countries, a health certificate confirmed by the competent authority is also required.
Worm treatment
Depending on the country of origin and route, tapeworm treatment (Echinococcus multilocularis) is mandatory for dogs:
- Treatment must be carried out by a veterinarian.
- Time frame: no earlier than 120 hours (5 days) and no later than 24 hours before entering the UK.
- The product used must be effective against Echinococcus (typically praziquantel or comparable active ingredients).
- The date, time, product, and veterinarian's stamp must be entered in the pet passport or certificate.
Customs and entry formalities when entering the United Kingdom with a pet
A well-organized entry process is crucial to ensure that border crossings run smoothly.
Check travel route
Only certain ports, airports, and the Eurotunnel are approved as “travelers' points of entry” for pets. For a private move, up to five dogs, cats, or ferrets per person are generally allowed to travel.
By car and ferry or Eurotunnel
This is the least stressful option. In the Eurotunnel (Le Shuttle), the animals stay with you in your car. On ferries (e.g. from Calais or Hoek van Holland), there are often special animal cabins, or the animals must remain in the vehicle (depending on the shipping company).
Air travel
Flights to the UK with animals are more complex. Most airlines only transport animals in the cargo hold and not in the cabin. In addition, animals may only enter the country via certain “approved routes” at designated airports (e.g., London Heathrow or Manchester).
DACHSER & KOLB Support
Integration of your pet transport into the overall relocation concept. Coordination with shipping companies, airlines, ferry operators, and, if necessary, animal reception centers, as well as scheduling (vaccinations, tapeworm window, flight/ferry dates).
Check-in with the transport company
Your pet's move must be declared as private, non-commercial transport. You must confirm in writing that your pet is not being sold or transferred, but is part of your household.
- Advance registration of the animal with the airline, ferry company, or railway company.
- Presentation of the EU pet passport or health certificate at check-in.
Arrival in the United Kingdom
- Registration of the pet at the designated checkpoint (e.g., Animal Reception Center at certain airports).
- Checking of microchip, vaccination certificates, tapeworm treatment, and travel documents.
Consequences of missing evidence
If requirements are not met, the authorities may:
- reject the animal,
- order quarantine at the owner's expense, or
- arrange for repatriation to the country of origin.
Tips for moving pets to the United Kingdom
Planning
Ideally, start 3–4 months before your move and synchronize vaccination and treatment deadlines with your final travel date. Remember to allow for buffer time in case of flight or ferry schedule changes.
Experts
Find a veterinarian who has experience with EU pet passports and international health certificates. For complex routes (e.g., via a third country), it is worth using a specialized pet relocation partner.
Authorities
Regularly check the current entry requirements on official websites (e.g., GOV.UK, embassies, veterinary offices) and clarify special cases (e.g., listed dogs, very young animals, chronically ill animals) in writing in advance.
Documents
All documents in at least two copies: EU pet passport or UK health certificate, proof of vaccination and treatment, non-commercial declaration/proof of ownership.
Well-being
Animal comfort: Ensure a stress-free journey and sufficient comfort in the means of transport (flight, car, ferry).
Expenses
Budget: Consider the costs of microchipping, vaccinations, titer testing, tapeworm tablets, a transport crate, etc.
Listed dogs and breed restrictions in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has strict regulations on certain dog breeds (“banned types”) under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Currently, the following types are prohibited, among others:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- XL Bully (now subject to very strict restrictions/prohibition throughout the UK)
Whether a dog is considered a prohibited type depends not only on its breed registration, but also on its appearance and characteristics.
If your dog could visually resemble one of these breeds (mixed breed, rescue dog, etc.), you should definitely do the following in advance:
- Discuss a breed/type assessment with your veterinarian and
- Seek advice from the British authorities/official bodies (e.g., local councils).
After arrival: Local rules in the United Kingdom
Local regulations
Leash and muzzle requirements may vary from municipality to municipality. Many municipalities have “Dog Control Orders” or similar regulations regarding off-leash areas, waste disposal, and behavior in parks.
Veterinary care
Veterinary care is not provided through the NHS, but through private veterinary practices. Register with your local veterinarian early on and switch your vaccination/health plan to the British system. Check or take out pet insurance to reduce financial risks.
Future trips (UK ↔ EU)
For subsequent journeys with your pet from the UK to EU countries, different rules apply depending on the destination country (e.g., AHC/new pet passport system). Please check the current requirements in good time before each journey.
Checklist: 3 months before the move
To ensure that nothing goes wrong, we recommend the following schedule:
- Visit the veterinarian: Check the microchip and vaccination status.
- Get used to the transport crate: If the animal is traveling by plane or in a crate on a ferry, start training early.
- Check approved routes: Not every border crossing is certified for entry with animals.
- Register with customs: Find out about the current “ToR” (Transfer of Residence) registration to avoid import sales tax on your pets.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about moving to the UK with pets
Does my dog need to be quarantined in the UK?
No, as long as you meet all the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme (microchip, vaccination, valid EU passport, tapeworm treatment), your pet does not need to be quarantined.
Which dog breeds are banned in the United Kingdom?
In the UK, there is the “Dangerous Dogs Act.” Among others, the following breeds are prohibited: Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brasileiros. Since 2024, strict rules have also applied to the XL Bully.
Will I need a special health certificate after Brexit?
If you are traveling from within the EU, the blue EU pet passport is still sufficient. If you are traveling from a non-EU country, an official animal health certificate is required.
How much does it cost to transport animals to England?
The costs vary greatly: from around €60 for the Eurotunnel surcharge to several hundred euros for professional animal transport services or air freight.
Why is it worth hiring a professional moving company?
Moving on your own can quickly become a burden—physically, in terms of time, and financially. With an experienced moving company, you not only save time and stress, but also benefit from efficient planning, insured services, trained staff, and customized offers.
Are you planning to move to the United Kingdom with pets?
Would you like to move to the UK with your pets, but still need a suitable moving company? Then let us calculate your individual price for your move in seconds. We will then contact you and do our best to accommodate all your wishes.
