Travelling with Pets

Last updated on 22 May 2025

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

Overview

The following guidance covers the non-commercial movement of pet animals in accordance with the EU Pet Regulations 576/2013 which can be found here. A non-commercial movement is the movement of up to five pets by the owner or authorised person, which does not have as its aim either the sale or transfer of ownership of the pet.

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. 

A written authorisation from the owner is required if a pet is travelling with an authorised person.

Important information - Before travelling with your pet, you should contact the country of destination regarding full entry requirements and the validity of your documents. 

NORTHERN IRELAND PET TRAVEL SCHEME (NIPTS)

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

The rules and checks for taking a pet dog, cat or ferret from GB to NI are changing; from 4 June 2025, if you are a GB resident you can travel under the NIPTS.

The Scheme will launch on 4 June 2025. This 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 EU Member States, including Ireland, remain subject to relevant EU law requirements.

To bring your dog, cat, ferret or assistance dog into NI, 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 here

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 laid out at Category 2 below.

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 requirements below – Travelling from a Part 2 Country (including GB) to and EU Member State including (NI).

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.

Important information: Please note that the NI Pet Travel Scheme only applies to pets that reside in the UK travelling between GB and NI

Travelling from NI to GB

Please note 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.

Important information Until 4 June 2025 current requirements for the non-commercial movements of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) as set out below in relation to the country you are travelling from continue to apply.

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 ROI  tapeworm treatment is not required.

If the movement is a commercial movement, you should follow the guidance here

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. Links detailing the countries that fall under each category are also provided.

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 list of EU Member States can be found at here and a list of Part 1 countries can be found here.

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 / EU 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 or an EU Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 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 ending not less than 24 hours before entering territory. See EU tapeworm regulation.
• 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).

A list of part 2 listed countries can be found at here.

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 must record the appropriate date the vaccination is valid from in the passport / EU 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 or an EU Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 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 ending not less than 24 hours before entering territory. See EU tapeworm regulation.
• 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)
• a valid EU issued pet passport or an EU Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 4 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 ending not less than 24 hours before entering territory.   See EU tapeworm regulation.
• 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 don’t 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)

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.

Pet Checks

In accordance with the EU pet regulation 576/2013 documentary and identity checks are required in respect of the non-commercial movement of pets. If you don’t have the correct documents or your pet hasn’t 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 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.

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 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 six or more 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  has advice about taking assistance dogs abroad.

Movement of pets from NI to outside the EU

Before travelling, it is recommended that you contact the competent authority of the country of destination as there may be additional requirements to those listed about that have to be met.

If you need to apply for an export health certificate instructions can be found at the link below:

• Pets Exports

Getting a pet passport

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

List of Practices participating in the Pet Passport Scheme

Further details on how to complete a passport can be found at EU Pet Travel Scheme - How to Complete Pet Passports.

Pets that have entered NI on a Health Certificate

If you travel with an EU health certificate (EHC) 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 4 months onwards travel into the EU.

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

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 (see technical specifications in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013).

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

Tattoo

You don’t need to have your pet microchipped if it has been tattooed with an identification number and all of 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 travelling with other pets such as, reptiles, birds, rodents, rabbits please contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk for further advice and guidance.

More useful links

• Regulations that support international travel | guidedogs.org.uk
• Cross-channel travel: information and advice
• taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Pet Travel | gov.ie)

General

Where can I get further information regarding pet travel?

Information on this website is regularly updated as changes occur.

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