How to Travel with Your Dog from the UK to Europe: A 7-Step Guide

Travelling with your dog can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but there are some important steps you need to take before you can head off to Europe with your furry friend. Since the UK left the EU, pet travel has changed slightly, but with the right preparation, the process is straightforward.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential steps you need to follow when travelling with your dog from the UK to Europe. This includes legal requirements like microchipping, vaccinations, and documents to ensure a smooth journey for you and your pet.

For official guidance from the UK government see their page on pet travel here.

1. Microchipping: A Legal Requirement

In the UK, it is already a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped, so your dog likely has one already. If not, you’ll need to get this done before travelling. A microchip is a small implant under your dog’s skin, containing a unique number linked to your contact information. This will help reunite you with your dog if you become separated during your travels. 

Make sure that your details are up to date in the microchip database before you travel to avoid any complications at the border. You can check this by inputting your dog's microchip number into the PetLog website.

2. Rabies Vaccination: Crucial for Traveling Abroad

Rabies is a serious concern in many European countries, whereas the UK is rabies-free. For your dog to enter Europe, they must have a valid rabies vaccination. 

Here’s what you need to know about rabies vaccination for travel:

• Age: Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old to receive a rabies vaccination valid for travel.

• Timing: After receiving the rabies vaccine, you must wait at least 21 days before your dog is eligible to travel.

• Validity: In the UK, the rabies vaccine lasts for three years, but you need to ensure it is up to date before any trip.

• Booking the Vaccination: Be sure to book this in plenty of time before your intended departure date, so you don’t run into any delays.

Your vet will issue you a vaccination card, which serves as proof that your dog is protected against rabies. Keep this card safe, as it will be necessary for travel.

 3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC): The New Pet Passport

Since Brexit, the UK no longer uses the European Pet Passport system. Instead, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). This document, issued by a veterinarian, replaces the old passport and allows your dog to travel within Europe.

How to Get an AHC:

• Book an Appointment: You can arrange this with your own vet or through an independent company, as long as the vet is an Official Veterinarian (OV).

• What It Covers: The AHC is a detailed document confirming that your dog is fit to travel and meets all the necessary requirements, including microchipping and rabies vaccination.

• Timing: Your AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue to enter the EU and allows for up to four months of travel within Europe.

• Up to 5 animals can be included on the same animal health certificate.

• You as the owner will be asked to sign a page in the AHC that states you do not intend to sell your dog whilst in the EU and that your dog will be travelling with you whilst in the EU

Each trip requires a new AHC, even if your rabies vaccination is still valid.

4. Tapeworm Treatment: Special Requirements for Certain Countries

If you’re planning to travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland, or Norway, there’s an additional step you need to complete before leaving the UK. Your dog must be treated for tapeworm by a vet between 24 and 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before arriving in any of these countries. 

For other European countries, this treatment is not required on your outbound trip, but you’ll need it for your return to the UK.

5. Protecting Your Dog from Local Diseases

If you’re travelling to southern Europe, especially in warmer regions, be aware of the risk of Leishmania, a serious disease that is most prevalent in these areas. It is spread by sandflies, which are typically active between dusk and dawn, especially from May to October. To protect your dog, keep them indoors between dusk to dawn to help prevent sandfly bites. Also, use an effective repellent such as the Scalibor collar. These precautions will help to reduce the risk of your dog being bitten by infected sandflies, significantly lowering the chances of contracting this disease. Always consult your vet for the best preventive measures before travelling.

6. Returning to the UK: Tapeworm Treatment

Regardless of where you’ve been in Europe, before returning to the UK, your dog will need to receive a tapeworm treatment. This must be administered by a vet between 24 to 120 hours before your arrival back in the UK.

 How to Prepare:

• Book a Vet Appointment Abroad: You’ll need to find a local vet in Europe and take along your dog’s AHC as well as your dog themselves! The vet will administer the tapeworm treatment to your dog and sign the AHC, allowing your dog to return to the UK.

Make sure to plan this ahead of time, especially if you are travelling during holidays or weekends when veterinary clinics may be closed.

7. Travelling Tips for Your Dog's Comfort

While it’s important to cover the legal requirements, ensuring your dog’s comfort while travelling is equally essential. Here are a few tips to make the journey as smooth as possible for your pet:

• Pack the Essentials: Bring your dog’s favourite toys, bedding, and food to keep them comfortable during the trip.

• Take Regular Breaks: If you’re driving through Europe, make sure to stop regularly so your dog can stretch their legs, drink water, and take bathroom breaks.

• Ensure Ventilation: If travelling by car, make sure the vehicle is well-ventilated and that your dog isn’t left in extreme heat.

• Pet-Friendly Accommodation: Research and book pet-friendly accommodations in advance, as not all hotels or rentals allow pets.

FAQ: Can I Get My Dog a Pet Passport?

Since Brexit, British vets are no longer able to issue, sign, or amend pet passports because they are not considered European vets. However, while travelling in Europe, you can inquire with local veterinarians to see if you are eligible to book an appointment and obtain a European Pet Passport.

If you’re able to secure a European pet passport from a vet in the EU, this document can be used instead of an AHC for future trips, with one important condition: the rabies vaccination must remain valid. It’s crucial to keep in mind that when your dog’s rabies vaccination is nearing expiration, you will need to be in Europe to have a European vet administer the booster rabies vaccination and then update the passport.

If the vaccine is administered by a UK vet, they cannot update the European pet passport. In that case, you’ll need to obtain another AHC for your next trip, at which point a European vet can update the passport with the new rabies vaccination details.

Conclusion

Travelling with your dog from the UK to Europe requires some careful preparation, but by following these steps, you’ll ensure that your pet stays healthy, happy, and legally compliant for the journey.

Make sure to plan ahead by getting your dog’s microchip, rabies vaccination, and AHC in place. If you’re heading to any tapeworm-restricted countries, don’t forget to book your treatment appointment before departure. With these preparations, you and your dog will be ready to enjoy your European adventure together!