Pet journey: right here’s what you have to find out about flying with pets

Vaccinations and Medication necessities when travelling with a pet

To journey together with your pet, rabies vaccination is a authorized requirement. Ferrets, cats and canine on planes, trains, ferries should meet the next standards: 

Booster jabs have to be stored updated and administered earlier than the expiry date listed by your vet to keep away from restarting the ready interval. You’ll want to indicate proof of this vaccination in your AHC or EHC.

For Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland particularly, canine additionally want vet-administered tapeworm remedy between 24 and 120 hours earlier than entry. The remedy should comprise praziquantel (or equal) and be licensed in your pet’s journey paperwork.

Entry necessities for the UK when travelling with a pet

Pet journey necessities – tapeworm remedy:

There are delicate variations within the guidelines when leaving and coming into the UK to concentrate on. For instance, earlier than re-entry to Great Britain, most canine should obtain vet-administered tapeworm remedy between 24–120 hours earlier than arrival, except returning immediately from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, or Norway. This means your canine gained’t require remedy when travelling to Spain or France for the UK, however they may want it for his or her return journey. 

Pet journey necessities – rabies check when coming back from sure international locations:

When travelling with a pet from non‑EU or “unlisted” international locations, a rabies blood check (titer) taken a minimum of 30 days after vaccination and three calendar months earlier than journey may be necessary, however as this varies from nation to nation, it’s crucial to examine the UK government’s pet travel website.

Also keep in mind that you will need to enter the UK by way of designated entry factors whether or not coming back from EU, non‑EU, or unlisted international locations when travelling with a pet. 

Northern Ireland particular guidelines for pet journey 

Northern Ireland follows EU pet journey guidelines, though it’s a part of the UK. So when travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland:

• Your pet have to be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies (and the 21-day ready interval post-vaccination applies)

• Tapeworm remedy is required for canine 24–120 hours earlier than journey

• You should enter by way of a chosen Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE) in Northern Ireland

Pet journey necessities – NI Pet Travel Scheme 

Also, travellers must be conscious {that a} new NI Pet Travel Scheme has been rolled out from 4 June 2025, which signifies that an Animal Health Certificate is simply wanted the place travellers are persevering with onwards to the EU. However, in the event you’re staying inside Northern Ireland, Great Britain residents travelling to Northern Ireland will have the ability to use a free NI Pet Travel Document as an alternative. 

If you’re returning to Great Britain from Northern Ireland, this constitutes home journey, so no AHC, well being certificates, or further checks are wanted.

You can apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document on-line, which is legitimate for so long as you personal the pet.