Are you planning to bring your pet to the UK? Here’s what you need to know

Getting the approval to travel with your pet can be a stressful process. This blog explores the steps and key considerations for owners who want to bring their pets to England, Wales or Scotland.

Travelling with your pet involves careful planning to ensure a smooth entry into England, Wales and Scotland. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

1. Is your pet’s travel route approved?

Before travelling with your pet, it’s important to check that your chosen route is approved for pet travel. If you’re travelling within the UK or from Ireland, you don’t need to use an approved route. However, if you’re coming from other countries, you must ensure that your transport provider and entry point comply with pet travel regulations.

For those travelling with guide or assistance dogs, there are more approved routes available, making it easier to bring your service animal with you. Always check the latest requirements before you travel to avoid any complications.

2. Is your pet microchipped?

Your pet must be microchipped either before or at the same time as their rabies vaccination. The microchip serves as a unique identifier, ensuring that your pet’s details match their vaccination records and travel documents. This step is essential for compliance with pet travel regulations and must be completed before any further vaccinations or paperwork can be issued.

3. Does your pet have their rabies vaccination?

After microchipping, vaccinate your pet against rabies. It is crucial to wait at least 21 days after the primary vaccination before entering England, Wales or Scotland. This waiting period ensures the vaccine’s effectiveness.

4. Do you have the correct pet travel documentation?

Obtain the appropriate pet travel document from your veterinarian. This essential document includes important details, such as microchip information, rabies vaccinations and tapeworm treatments, ensuring your pet meets the necessary travel requirements.

5. Has your dog received the appropriate tapeworm treatment?

If you are bringing a dog, ensure it receives tapeworm treatment no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before arrival in England, Wales or Scotland. This treatment must be administered by a veterinarian and documented accordingly.

6. Have you completed the owner declaration?

Complete a declaration confirming that you do not intend to sell or transfer ownership of your pet after entering the UK. This declaration is a standard requirement for pet entry.

7. What should you do upon arrival in England, Wales or Scotland?

Upon arrival, ensure compliance with all entry procedures. If you have followed the steps above, your pet should be allowed entry without quarantine. However, failure to adhere to these regulations may result in your pet being quarantined for up to four months or denied entry, especially if arriving by sea. You will be responsible for any associated fees or charges.

Is there anything else I should consider if I want to bring my pet to England, Wales or Scotland?

1. If you are bringing more than five pets and are not attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event, additional rules apply.
2. Certain dog breeds are banned in England, Wales and Scotland. Ensure your pet is not among these prohibited breeds, unless it has a valid Certificate of Exemption.
3. There are specific guidelines and more approved travel routes for individuals travelling with guide or assistance dogs.

If you are considering traveling to England, Wales or Scotland with your one or more of your pets, get in touch with our immigration team, we can help you make the passage into the UK with your pet as seamless as possible.

Updated: 6 February 2025

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2025

View all news & Insights