Pet Transport Europe

UK To Europe Pet Transport

We provide transport from locations throughout Great Britain to destinations across Europe, including regular services to France, Spain and Portugal, together with selected destinations elsewhere in Europe.

Depending upon your requirements, your pet may travel as part of one of our scheduled European services or on a dedicated bespoke journey.

Before travelling from Great Britain to the EU, dogs, cats and ferrets must meet the applicable pet-travel requirements.

These normally include:

• A compliant microchip
• A valid rabies vaccination
• The appropriate travel documentation
• Any additional treatments required by the destination country.

Customers are responsible for ensuring their pets have the correct documentation and meet all applicable entry requirements. We are, however, happy to provide general guidance regarding the documentation normally required for the journey.

Animal Health Certificates

People resident in England, Scotland or Wales travelling with dogs, cats or ferrets from Great Britain to the EU will normally require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian.

An AHC can include up to five pets.

The certificate must be obtained before entering the EU and is currently valid for:

• Entry into the EU within 10 days of issue
• Onward travel within the EU for up to six months following entry
• Re-entry to Great Britain for up to six months following entry into the EU

The pet’s rabies vaccination must remain valid.

A new AHC is normally required for each separate journey from Great Britain into the EU.

Important change from 22 April 2026

EU pet-travel rules changed on 22 April 2026.

People resident in England, Scotland or Wales should not assume that an EU-issued pet passport can be used for travel from Great Britain into the EU. GB residents will normally need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate from an Official Veterinarian before travelling.

Customers should always check the latest GOV.UK guidance and the entry requirements of their destination country before travel.

Rabies Vaccination

Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling internationally will normally require a valid rabies vaccination. The animal must be microchipped before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination. Following a pet’s first rabies vaccination, a waiting period applies before international travel is permitted. The required period can depend upon the vaccine used and the destination, but it will be at least 21 full days.

Customers should discuss their intended travel date with their veterinarian well in advance.

Tapeworm Treatment For Dogs

Tapeworm requirements depend upon the direction of travel and destination. Dogs travelling from Great Britain to certain countries, including Ireland, Finland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway, require veterinary tapeworm treatment within the applicable timeframe before arrival.

Dogs entering Great Britain normally require tapeworm treatment administered by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before arrival.

Exemptions apply when travelling directly to Great Britain from certain countries.

Because these requirements can change, customers should always check the current official guidance for their particular journey.

When Your Pet Travels Without You

Pet Transport Services regularly transports animals when their owners are travelling separately. However, whether a movement can take place under the standard non-commercial pet-travel rules depends upon the circumstances.

Where somebody other than the owner accompanies the pet, written authorisation from the owner may be required. Under the standard pet-travel rules, the pet must generally travel within five days before or after the owner’s own journey.

If the pet travels more than five days before or after its owner, or if the animal is being sold, rehomed or transferred to a new owner, additional commercial movement requirements may apply.

Please tell us when making your enquiry if:

• You will not be travelling with your pet
• You intend to travel on a different date
• The pet is being purchased or sold
• The pet is being adopted or rehomed
• Ownership of the animal is changing

This allows us to identify the type of transport required and advise you of any additional documentation that may be necessary.

Bringing Pets From Europe To Great Britain

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain must comply with the applicable UK pet-travel requirements.

These normally include:

• Microchipping
• A valid rabies vaccination
• An acceptable pet-travel document
• Tapeworm treatment for dogs where applicable
• Travel using an approved route where required
• A declaration confirming that the animal is not being sold or transferred where travelling under the non-commercial pet-travel rules

Depending upon the circumstances and country of origin, acceptable documents may include an eligible EU pet passport, a qualifying Animal Health Certificate previously issued in Great Britain, or a Great Britain pet health certificate.

We recommend checking the current GOV.UK requirements before every journey.

Rescue, Rehoming, Sale And Change Of Ownership

Different rules apply when an animal is being transported for:

• Sale
• Adoption
• Rehoming
• Transfer to a new owner

These movements are not normally treated in the same way as an owner travelling privately with their own pet. Additional animal-health documentation, customs procedures and import notifications may therefore be required.

Pet Transport Services has experience transporting rescue and rehomed animals between Europe and Great Britain. Please explain the circumstances when making your enquiry so that we can identify the appropriate type of transport.

For commercial movements of dogs, cats and ferrets into Great Britain, the appropriate health certification and import notification requirements must be satisfied before travel. Where required, the importer or their appointed agent will also need to complete the necessary IPAFFS pre-notification and customs procedures.

Bringing More Than Five Pets

Additional rules can apply when more than five animals are travelling. Exceptions may be available for animals attending certain competitions, shows, sporting events or training, subject to the relevant conditions and supporting evidence.

Please tell us the total number of animals travelling when requesting a quotation so that we can determine whether the proposed journey can be accommodated and whether additional requirements may apply.

Pets Travelling From Outside The EU

Requirements for animals originating outside the EU vary according to the country of origin and the animal’s circumstances.

Additional requirements can include:

• Specific health certificates
• Rabies blood testing
• Extended waiting periods
• Import licences or notifications
• Customs clearance
• Travel through approved entry points

Because the requirements differ considerably between countries, we do not recommend relying on a general checklist. Customers should check the current official requirements for their particular country of origin and intended destination before making travel arrangements.

Customs, VAT And Animal Valuation

Animals entering Great Britain may be subject to customs declaration, valuation and import tax requirements depending upon the circumstances of the movement. Different rules may apply to privately owned pets, purchased animals, rescue animals and animals being imported following a change of ownership.

Where someone is genuinely transferring their normal residence to Great Britain, Transfer of Residence Relief may be available subject to HMRC’s eligibility requirements and approval.

Rescue And Rehomed Cats And Dogs

Where a cat or dog is imported free of charge for rehoming in the UK and a customs value cannot be established using the normal valuation methods, HM Revenue & Customs currently provides standard Method 6 values of:

Cat: £115.00
Dog: £215.00

These are not universal customs values for every cat or dog entering Great Britain. They apply only in the circumstances specified by HMRC and should not automatically be used for other types of pet import.

Customs rules and valuations can change. Customers should therefore refer to current HMRC guidance or seek advice from their appointed customs agent before travel.

Pet Transport Services can assist with the practical transport and customs-clearance process where appropriate, but responsibility for providing accurate information concerning ownership, purchase price, adoption, valuation and eligibility for any customs relief remains with the importer.

Pet Welfare During Transport

Your pet’s welfare is our priority throughout the journey. Our vehicles provide climate-controlled transport, and animals travel in suitable travel accommodation appropriate to their species, breed and size.

During long-distance journeys our drivers provide regular welfare checks and supervised rest stops, normally approximately every 3–4 hours where appropriate.

Fresh drinking water is available throughout the journey, and feeding arrangements can be discussed before collection. Any medication or special welfare requirements must be disclosed before booking.

If your pet has an existing medical condition, is elderly, has recently undergone surgery or you have any concerns about their fitness to travel, we strongly recommend discussing the proposed journey with your veterinarian before booking.

Scheduled European Pet Transport

Our scheduled European services provide a cost-effective alternative to dedicated transport for customers whose dates and locations fit with one of our planned routes.

We regularly operate between Great Britain and destinations including France, Spain and Portugal. Collection and delivery arrangements are agreed with each customer before departure.

Availability is limited by the number and size of animals already booked and the route being operated, so early booking is recommended where possible. Contact us with your collection location, destination, number and type of pets and preferred travel dates and we will advise you of suitable scheduled services we have planned.

Bespoke Dedicated European Transport

For customers requiring greater flexibility, we can also provide dedicated European pet transport. With a dedicated service, the vehicle and driver are allocated specifically to your journey rather than your pet travelling as part of one of our scheduled European services.

Dedicated transport may be particularly suitable where:

• Specific collection or delivery dates are required
• The destination is outside our normal scheduled routes
• Several pets are travelling together
• The owner wishes to accompany their pet
• The animal has particular welfare requirements
• A more direct journey is preferred

Dedicated services are individually quoted according to the route and requirements.

Travelling With Your Pet

Subject to availability and the requirements of the particular journey, owners may be able to travel in the vehicle with their pets. Please mention this when requesting your quotation as passenger transport must be arranged in advance and additional charges may apply.

Request A Pet Transport Quotation

If you are planning to transport your pet between the UK and Europe, please contact us with:

• Collection location or postcode
• Destination location or postcode
• Number of pets
• Species and breed
• Approximate size
• Preferred travel date
• Whether you will be travelling separately from your pet
• Whether the animal is privately owned, being purchased, adopted or rehomed
• Any medical, behavioural or special travel requirements

We can then advise you about availability, the most appropriate service and the cost of transport.

Pet Transport Services

Telephone +44(0)7739 386717
Email: info@pettransportservices.co.uk
Website: pettransportservices.co.uk

Family-owned pet transport between the UK and Europe, with your pet’s safety, comfort and welfare at the heart of every journey.

Important Regulatory Information

Pet-travel, animal-health and customs requirements can change at short notice. Information provided on this website is intended as general guidance only and does not replace the official requirements of the UK Government, HM Revenue & Customs, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, veterinary authorities or the authorities of the destination or transit country.

Customers remain responsible for ensuring that their animals meet all applicable legal, veterinary, customs and documentation requirements before travel. Always check the latest official guidance before your journey.