Travelling with Pets

Travelling with Pet Animals 

Essential information

• Before travelling with your pet, you should contact the country of destination to confirm their full entry requirements and the validity of your documents.
• Information on this website is regularly updated as changes occur.
• Links to the Regulations and other useful links can be found at the end of this document.

Important information - Last updated on 23 April 2026

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

Overview

From 22 April 2026 Regulation (EU) 576/2013 will be replaced by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law) (AHL), regarding the requirements for the Non-Commercial movement of pet animals. 

Regulation (EU) 2016/429 AHL and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131, set out the general framework for the Non-Commercial movement of animals and ensures a consistent legal framework for disease prevention. 

CHANGES   Validity of an Animal Health Certificate extended from 4 months to 6 months. EU pet passports can only be issued to owners who have their main residence inside the EU. Authorised Person – if someone other than the owner is travelling with a pet, in addition to having a written authorisation from the pet owner, the authorisation must be attached to the AHC or Passport and the pet owner must travel within 5 days of the pet movement.  The maximum number of pet animals (dogs, cats, ferrets and birds) which may be moved for non-commercial purposes is 5 in a single vehicle.

A Non-Commercial movement is the movement of up to five pets during a single movement, by the owner or an authorised person, which does not have as its aim either the sale or transfer of ownership of the pet. While the maximum number of pets that can be moved is five see below for exceptions in relation to Competition, Exhibitions or Training for sporting events. 

When travelling with your pet dog, cat or ferret, the rules you must follow depend on the country you are going to or coming from and the purpose of your travel. The requirements are set out under Categories 1, 2 and 3 below and you should follow the requirements based on the country you are intending to travel to. 

Authorised Person 

If someone other than the owner is travelling with a pet: - A written authorisation from the owner is required; the authorisation must be attached to the AHC or Passport and the pet owner must travel within 5 days of the pet movement.

Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme (NIPTS)

Important Information - Please note that the NIPTS only applies to pets that reside in the UK travelling between GB and NI

Pet Travel from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) (Including Assistance Dogs)

If you are a GB resident you can travel to Northern Ireland under the NIPTS.

It allows for the smooth and straightforward movement of pet dogs (including assistance dogs), cats, and ferrets from GB to NI while ensuring that any pet movements into, the EU including the Republic of Ireland (RoI), remain subject to relevant EU legal requirements.

To bring your dog, cat, ferret, or assistance dog directly into NI from GB, you will need to ensure your pet is microchipped, apply for a free NI Pet Travel Document (PTD) and sign a declaration that you will not travel onward to the European Union (EU). There will be checks to confirm that your pet travel document matches the pet’s microchip. Full details of the NIPTS and how to apply can be found at Great Britain to Northern Ireland Pet Travel Guidance.

Onward Travel to EU

If you are a GB traveller wishing to travel on to an EU member state from NI (including the Republic of Ireland), you cannot avail of the NI Pet Travel Scheme, and you must follow the requirements set  out at Category 2 below - Travelling from a Part 2 Country (including GB) to and EU Member State including (NI).

If you travel from GB to NI under the NIPTS and you later decide to travel onward to an EU country (including the Republic of Ireland) you must follow existing rules as set out under Category 2 below 

Travel from GB to NI via EU Country

If you intend to travel to NI from GB via an EU country (including the Republic of Ireland) you cannot avail of the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme, and you must follow the requirements laid out at Category 2 below.

Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man and Channel Islands)

Please note if you are a resident of the Isle of Man or Channel Islands you cannot avail of the NIPTS. If you are travelling to NI from any of the above, you must follow the requirements laid out at Category 2 below.

Travelling from NI to GB

The scheme does not apply to NI citizens.

If you live in NI and are travelling to GB or returning to NI from GB, you do not require any health preparations or documentation. You do need to make sure that your pet dog (including assistance dog), cat, or ferret is microchipped before you leave NI.

Travelling from NI to the Republic of Ireland (ROI)

There is no change to the requirements for travelling between NI and ROI. You should follow the guidance regarding Category 1 countries – travelling within EU Member States. However please note when travelling between NI and the ROI tapeworm treatment is not required.

Requirements for Non-Commercial Movements of Pets

The requirements for travelling with a pet are set out below. The category of country you are travelling to determines the preparations you need to make for your pet to travel. 

Category 1 - Travelling within EU Member States (including NI) or Travelling from a Part 1 listed country to an EU Member State (including NI).

A pet needs:

• a microchip,
• a rabies vaccination administered by an authorised vet. The animal must be microchipped, and the chip checked and verified prior to the vaccine being administered, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,
• to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity (as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination being administered has developed. This must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet should record the appropriate date the vaccination is valid from in the passport / Animal Health Certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),
• a valid EU issued pet passport.
• Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU), from Part 1 listed countries only.
• Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs only. If you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta. Tapeworm treatment must be administered not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before scheduled entry into the territory.
• Check with your transport company, as they may require a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

Category 2 - Travelling from a Part 2 listed country (including GB) to an EU Member State (including NI).

Please note   if you are a GB citizen travelling to NI under the NIPTS you do not need to follow the Category 2 requirements   However, if you are a GB citizen not travelling under the NIPTS or are intending to travel on to the EU (including the RoI) you need to meet the Category 2 requirements.   Details of the NIPTS are set out above

•  pet needs:
• a microchip,
• a rabies vaccination administered by an authorised vet. The animal must be microchipped, and the chip checked and verified prior to the vaccine being administered, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,
• to wait before travelling until the appropriate immunity (as stated by the datasheet of the vaccination being administered has developed, this must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given. If the datasheet of the vaccination used says that immunity is not present until day 30 after vaccination, then you must wait 30 days before travel and your vet must record the appropriate date the vaccination is valid from in the passport / Animal Health Certificate. (This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),
• Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU)
• Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs only. If you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta. Tapeworm treatment must be administered not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before scheduled entry into the territory.  
• to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers Point of Entry
• Check with your transport company as they may require a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

Category 3 -Travelling from an unlisted country into an EU Member State (including NI). An unlisted country is any country not included in the list of EU, Part 1, or Part 2 listed countries.

A pet needs:

• a microchip
• a rabies vaccination which must be administered by an authorised vet and the chip checked and verified prior to the vaccine being administered, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered.
• a blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and the blood test must show the vaccination was successful. (the date of the vaccination counts as day zero not day 1)
• Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU)
• Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs only if you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta. Tapeworm treatment must be administered not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before scheduled entry to the territory.
• to wait 3 calendar months after the blood test shows the vaccination was successful before travelling.
• to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers Point of Entry
• Check with your transport company as they may require a statement from a vet confirming your pet is fit to travel.

(You do not have to wait 3 months if your pet was vaccinated, blood tested and given a pet passport in the EU (including NI) before travelling to an unlisted country)

Pets that have entered NI on an Animal Health Certificate

If you travel to NI with an  Animal health certificate (AHC) rather than an EU pet passport, you must report to the travellers’ point of entry at time of arrival in NI, to have the EHC endorsed by Portal Officials, which will allow you to use the EHC for  6 months onwards travel into the EU.

Without this endorsement, the AHC will not be valid for onwards travel to the EU.

Pet Checks

In accordance with the EU pet regulations documentary and identity checks are required in respect of the non-commercial movement of pets. If you do not have the correct documents or your pet has not been properly prepared it may be detained and sent back to the country it travelled from. You will be required to meet the costs for this.

If you are advised to report to the NI SPS Inspection facility, you must report to the NI Traveller’s Point of Entry (TPE) upon arrival in NI and present your pet and documentation to DAERA officials. 

If you arrive in NI and you intend to travel onwards from NI, you must present the Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate to DAERA Officials upon entry in NI. It is advised that you contact the TPE in advance of arrival.

The NI Traveller’s Point of Entry are:

Ports

• Belfast Port – contact Belfast.portal@daera-ni.gov.uk 
• Larne Port – contact Larne.portal@daera-ni.gov.uk

Airports

Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport can be contacted at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Important information - If you will be arriving into Northern Ireland via air, you must contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of travel to pre-notify your arrival.

Going to shows, competitions or training for an event.

If you are travelling to a show in NI or returning to NI from a show or a competition or training event with more than 5 pets you need to meet the requirements above for the category of country, you are travelling from.

In addition, if you are travelling to shows, competitions, or training with more than 5 pets from any country, including GB, you must complete the Declaration in the link below Pets Declaration for Events in NI.

You must make the completed declaration available to a DAERA Portal Inspector upon arrival in NI.

• Pets Declaration for Events in NI

Guide dogs and other assistance dogs.

• The rules for assistance dogs travelling under the EU pet travel scheme are the same as for other dogs. Assistance dogs must meet all the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme.
• Assistance Pets may be permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin with their owner with carriers registered to carry assistance dogs and on approved routes. This may apply to other means of transport also.
• You are advised to contact your travel operator in advance of your journey to ensure you are prepared and aware of all their requirements.
• The Guide Dogs Association (external link opens in a new window / tab) has advice about taking assistance dogs abroad.

Getting a pet passport

NI remains part of the EU pet travel scheme; NI residents can obtain a valid EU pet passport from one of the veterinary practices participating in the pet travel scheme. See link below for details:

An EU pet passport can only be issued to owners who have their main residence inside the EU. You may be asked for proof of residency.

Welfare of Animals

When travelling with an animal irrespective of number of animals you are travelling with, you must meet the welfare requirements laid down in 'The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 as amended'. Further guidance and information regarding animal welfare during transport can be found on Welfare of animals during transport.

Microchipping

Prior to the rabies vaccination, the pet animal (dog, cat, or ferret) must be marked by the implantation of a microchip.

You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards.

Tattoo

You do not need to have your pet microchipped if it has been tattooed with an identification number and all the following are true:

• your pet was tattooed before 3 July 2011
• the tattoo is clearly legible.
• your pet was vaccinated against rabies after it was tattooed.

Your vet must record the date of tattooing, the tattoo number, and the date of the rabies vaccination in the pet passport or official health certificate.

Movements for other types of pets

• If the movement is a commercial movement or
• Non Commercial movement of other pets such as reptiles, birds, rodents and rabbits

Consult the guidance here or alternatively contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk for further advice and guidance

Links to Legislation (Pet Travel)

EU Regulation 429/2016 (Animal Health law)

EU Regulation 2026/131 for non-commercial movement of pet animals

 (EU) 2026/636 – Lists of Part 1 and Part 2 third countries 

More useful links

• List of Practices participating in the Pet Passport Scheme
• Regulations that support international travel | guidedogs.org.uk 
• Pet Travel | gov.ie – Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine 

EU Links

• A list of EU countries can be found here
• Movement of pets - European Commission

General

• If you cannot find an answer to your query, please contact:
• Pet export queries: Tel No 0300 200 7840 or email daeradirect.armagh@daera-ni.gov.uk
• Pet import queries: Tel: 02890524588 email: daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk