ENTRY.PET · CHECKLIST
Ireland → United Kingdom
dog
Requirements
| Done | REQUIREMENT | WHEN | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| To do | 01 Port of entry Travel on an APHA-approved route and carrier (airline + airport, ferry, Eurotunnel) — see the entry points. There are no approved routes into Wales. The lists change often (several updates a month in Aug–Sep 2026): check the live lists close to the day you travel. | — | APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 02 Transport rules By plane the pet must travel as cargo (not in the cabin), except on chartered private planes or for assistance dogs. By private boat only from Ireland or Northern Ireland. | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 03 Microchip Microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination (otherwise revaccinate). ISO 11784/11785 chips are read on arrival; with a non-ISO chip you may have to bring your own reader. An unreadable chip means refusal or quarantine. | on or before the rabies vaccination | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 04 Rabies vaccination Inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine at ≥12 weeks of age. Travel no earlier than 21 full days after the first vaccination (or the last dose of the primary course); day 1 is the day after vaccination. No wait after a booster if there was no gap in cover. | 21+ days before arrival | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 05 EU pet passport (one of the alternatives) Pet passport issued by an authorised vet in an EU country, Northern Ireland, or another country that issues pet passports accepted by GB (the Part 1 listed countries). | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 06 Animal health certificate (one of the alternatives) Animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 6 months (GB pets returning). | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 07 Animal health certificate (one of the alternatives) Great Britain pet health certificate, signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian authorised by the government of the country of departure. | within 10 days before arrival | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK); APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 08 Pet passport (one of the alternatives) Pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021. | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 09 Tapeworm treatment Vet treats the dog with praziquantel (or equivalent) and records product, date and time in the passport or certificate. Not needed when coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. | 24–120 hours before arrival | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 10 Owner's declaration Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred. | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 11 Non-commercial limits Max 5 pets unless attending/training for a competition, show or sporting event (all over 6 months old, with written evidence). More than 5 pets, pet arriving more than 5 days before/after the owner, or sale/rehoming → commercial "Balai" rules instead. | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
| To do | 12 Arrival inspection Microchip and documents are checked on arrival (or before boarding for sea/Eurotunnel). Missing documents or preparation → quarantine or return, at the owner's cost. | — | Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) |
Papers to carry
- To get: Microchip number (in the pet passport or the vaccination record)
- To get: Rabies vaccination record
- To get: EU pet passport
- To get: Animal health certificate
- To get: Animal health certificate
- To get: Pet passport
- To get: Tapeworm treatment entry (signed by the vet)
- To get: Owner's declaration
Official fees
The rules name no official fee.