How to Move Your Pet to the U.K.: A Guide for Pet Parents
Last reviewed November 2026 by the WorldCare Pet Transport team
What's new for U.K. pet travel
- Electronic vet signatures (U.S. departures): USDA APHIS now accepts electronically signed health certificates from U.S. vets. The endorsed certificate must still be ink-signed and embossed by USDA and travel with your pet. APHIS source
- Pet passports (coming later): The U.K. and EU are negotiating an agreement that could bring back pet passports for travel between the U.K. and the EU. Nothing has changed yet, and we'll update this page when it does.
U.K. Entry Requirements at a glance
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 compliant (15-digit). Non-ISO chips require the pet parent to supply a compatible scanner. The chip must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccine.
Rabies vaccination
Required. A first vaccine must be at least 21 days old before entering the U.K. (some vaccine brands require 30). Boosters given before the previous vaccine expires have no wait.
Health certificate
Great Britain pet health certificate, completed by a veterinarian and signed, stamped and dated by an official government veterinarian in the country of origin.
Arrival window
Pets must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the health certificate being issued. For pets leaving the U.S., that's the USDA APHIS endorsement date.
Tapeworm treatment
Required for dogs. Given by a veterinarian 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before arrival and recorded on the health certificate.
Titer test
Depends on the country of origin. Not required from the EU or listed countries such as the U.S. Required from unlisted countries: the blood sample is taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination, and pets wait 3 months from the sample date before entering.
Approved route
Pets arriving by air must fly on an approved airline and route as manifest cargo. Guide and assistance dogs have separate rules.
Quarantine
None when all documentation is complete and correct.
Minimum age
About 15 weeks. Rabies vaccination can be given at 12 weeks, followed by the 21-day wait.
Every pet’s timeline depends on their vaccine history and your move date. Request a quote, and your Pet Relocation Counselor will map out the dates for your pet’s move to the U.K.
Which Dog Breeds are Banned in the U.K.?
Five types of dog are illegal to own in the U.K.: the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully.
Whether a dog counts as a banned type depends on what it looks like, not its breed or name, so a mixed-breed dog can still be classed as one. A banned dog can only enter Great Britain if it already has a valid Certificate of Exemption. If you’re unsure whether your dog could be classed as a banned type, talk to your Pet Relocation Counselor before planning the move. See the U.K. government’s banned dog guidance for details.
Should I Keep My Pet's Original Health Documents When Moving to the U.K.?
Keep your pet’s original health documents with your pet’s travel paperwork, not in checked luggage. Customs needs the originals.
What Health Requirements Does the U.K. Have For Pets?
What Vaccines Are Needed For Your Pet?
Rabies VaccineThe rabies vaccine must be given on or after the day your pet is microchipped. A first vaccine must be at least 21 days old before your pet enters the U.K., though some vaccine brands require 30 days. Boosters given before the previous vaccine expires have no waiting period.
Puppies and kittens can receive the rabies vaccine from 12 weeks of age, so the earliest a young pet can enter the U.K. is about 15 weeks old.
Note: If your pet was microchipped after their most recent rabies vaccine, they will need another rabies vaccine to be compliant for entry into the U.K.
Additional Vaccines
Other vaccines aren’t required to enter the U.K., but they’re strongly recommended to keep your pet protected while traveling.
For Dogs:
- DHPP+L: Protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis.
- Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
For Cats:
- FVRCP: Protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia.
These vaccines help protect your pet from common diseases, ensuring a safer travel experience.
Tapeworm Treatment (DOGS ONLY):
Tapeworm treatment must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (within 1-5 days) before your dog enters the United Kingdom.
Rabies Titer Test (Unlisted Countries Only)
Whether your pet needs a rabies titer test depends on where it’s traveling from. Great Britain sorts countries into listed and unlisted:
- EU and listed countries, including the U.S.: no titer test is needed.
- Unlisted countries: a titer test is required before your pet can enter.
You can check whether a country is listed on GOV.UK.
How the titer test works
- A vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- The sample goes to an EU-approved laboratory, either inside or outside the EU.
- The result must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
- The date of the blood sample is recorded on the Great Britain pet health certificate.
- Your pet can enter Great Britain 3 months after the blood sample date.
NOTE: It can take 4 to 6+ weeks to receive results from the laboratory, so the full process takes at least four months from the rabies vaccine.
What Documents Does My Pet Need to Enter the U.K.?
Health Certificate
A veterinarian examines your pet and completes the Great Britain pet health certificate. It must then be signed, stamped, and dated by an official government veterinarian, and your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of that date. For pets leaving the U.S., the official signature is the USDA APHIS endorsement, so the 10 days count from the endorsement date.
Your Pet Relocation Counselor times this step with your flight.
Note: For pets arriving at London Heathrow, the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre offers a paperwork pre-check for non-commercial pets. The pre-check is done before the certificate is endorsed by the official government veterinarian (for U.S. departures, before USDA endorsement), so any errors can be fixed before travel. Your Pet Relocation Counselor arranges this as part of your pet’s move.
Additional Document Requirements
For pets leaving the U.S., a veterinarian completes a Fit-to-Fly certificate (APHIS 7001) within 10 days of travel, usually at the same appointment as the GB pet health certificate. Airline requirements vary.
From the Netherlands to the U.K.
Gaucho and Chicha, fresh off their move from the Netherlands to the U.K., attending their own welcome home party. Attendance was mandatory.
FAQ: Moving Your Pet To The U.K.
PawPrint’s Pet Travel Guides to Popular U.K. Cities
Planning pet transport to the U.K.? Explore our PawPrint Guide for safe, pet-friendly services, including veterinarians, boarding kennels, dog parks, pet groomers, and pet shops.
Bristol, U.K.
Cambridge, U.K.
Glasgow, U.K.
London, U.K.
Manchester, U.K.
How Can WorldCare Help with Your Pet’s Move to the U.K.?
Ready to start planning? Your Pet Relocation Counselor builds your pet’s timeline around your move date and coordinates the paperwork, flights and customs clearance from door to door. WorldCare has been moving pets internationally for more than 25 years and is an IPATA member and IATA-accredited agent.
Request A Quote
Customer Reviews
Contact Us