BRINGING A DOG FROMItaly to United Kingdom
Dog · Moving
Bringing a cat instead?No quarantine when the paperwork is in order. Needs port of entry, transport rules, microchip, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport, animal health certificate, pet passport, tapeworm treatment, owner's declaration, non-commercial limits and arrival inspection.
Always confirm with the destination's official authority and your airline before travelling.
Entry requirements
Pet passport (or GB AHC / GB pet health certificate), rabies vaccine, tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival (dogs only), approved route. Flying in means air cargo, which is why many owners come by car on an approved ferry or Eurotunnel.
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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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.
- · not travelling from Ireland
No approved route is needed from Ireland (or within the UK).
Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes)· checked 04 Oct 2026
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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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.
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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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.
before or on the day of the 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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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 full days after the primary vaccination (day 1 = the day after); no wait after an in-date booster
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).
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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).
Rabies vaccine details must have been entered by a vet from a pet-passport country for passports issued from 1 January 2021.
Animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 6 months (GB pets returning).
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 6 months (GB pets returning).
- · the AHC was issued in Great Britain, and it is less than 6 months since the pet entered the EU or another country that accepts AHCs
A GB-issued AHC covers the return only within 6 months of entering the EU/AHC country; after that a GB pet health certificate is needed (or an EU / Northern Ireland pet passport, or a GB passport issued before 2021).
Great Britain pet health certificate, signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian authorised by the government of the country of departure.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Great Britain pet health certificate, signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian authorised by the government of the country of departure.
Source:APHA (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: apply for a Great Britain pet health certificate)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021.
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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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.
- · not coming directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway
no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before arriving in Great Britain
Tapeworm exemption for dogs coming directly from these countries.
Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
Fill in the pet travel declaration that the pet will not be sold or its ownership transferred.
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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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.
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.
DETAILS +DETAILS −
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.
No quarantine when the paperwork is in order
If the pet does not meet the rules: Quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if the pet came by sea; the owner pays any fees or charges.
Source:Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Put your pet in rabies quarantine)· checked 04 Oct 2026+1 more
Timeline
Working out your dates…
Documents
One paper per requirement above; carry originals. 0 of 8 ready.
Official fees
The official pages we researched for this route name no fee. Vet, lab and airline charges are not covered here.
Entry points
Where a pet may enter the United Kingdom, per the rules.
- List as of 2026-09-22The lists change often (seven updates between 7 August and 22 September 2026): check the live lists close to the day you travel.No approved route is needed when travelling from the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- List as of 2026-09-22Commercial airlines approved to fly pets into GB arrive at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle (as of the list updated 2026-09-22; charter operators use more airports). The list names each airline with the airports it may fly pets into.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- List as of 2026-09-22Approved sea and rail routes into GB include ferries from France, the Netherlands and Spain and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (Calais–Folkestone). Eurostar is listed only for journeys out of London, not into GB.Source:APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Pet travel: sea and rail routes and companies you can use)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Breed bans
Add the breed to your link (Edit route) and the checklist refuses a banned type.
- IMPORT BANPit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL BullyExceptions: dogs that already have a valid Certificate of ExemptionA dog is a banned type by what it looks like, not by its breed or name.
- OWNERSHIP BANPit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL BullyA dog is a banned type by what it looks like, not by its breed or name.Source:GOV.UK (opens official site: Controlling your dog in public: banned dogs)· checked 04 Oct 2026
- IMPORT AND OWNERSHIP BANXL BullyExceptions: valid Certificate of Exemption — applications closed; new exemptions only by court orderEngland and Wales (Defra guidance).Exemption applications have closed; new exemptions only by court order.Source:Defra (GOV.UK) (opens official site: Ban on XL Bully dogs (England and Wales))· checked 04 Oct 2026
- IMPORT AND OWNERSHIP BANXL BullyExceptions: valid Certificate of Exemption — applications closed; new exemptions only where a court has authorised the applicationScotland (Scottish Government guidance).Exemption applications have closed; new exemptions only when a court has authorised the application.Source:Scottish Government (opens official site: XL Bully dogs in Scotland — the rules)· checked 04 Oct 2026
Airlines
Airline rules are separate from entry rules and change without notice — confirm in writing when you book. Only what the carriers' own pages say, read 25 Sep 2026. All airlines
- Lufthansa LHCabinYesHoldYesSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- Emirates EKCabinNoHoldYesSnub-nosedCargo: only Nov – Apr
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 45 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: not 1 May – 31 Oct
- Qantas QFCabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedNot stated
- CabinYesHoldNoSnub-nosedHold, cargo: no
- CabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no
- CabinYes, up to 8 kg incl. carrier46 × 28 × 24 cmHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: no · Cargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldCargo onlySnub-nosedCargo: restricted
- CabinNoHoldYes, up to 75 kg incl. crateSnub-nosedHold: restricted
Announced changes
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDAnimal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025: the first regulations must ban bringing into England, Scotland or Wales dogs under 6 months, more than 42 days pregnant, or mutilated (e.g. cropped ears). Sections 1–7 start on a date set by regulations; not in force on 2026-09-24.
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDSame Act, cats: the first regulations must ban bringing in cats under 6 months, more than 42 days pregnant, or mutilated (e.g. declawed). Not in force on 2026-09-24.
- DATE NOT ANNOUNCEDSame Act, section 5: a non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets will be capped at 5 animals per vehicle (including a vehicle on a train or ferry) and 3 per person otherwise. Not in force on 2026-09-24.
Return trip to Italy
Moderate for a returning pet, no lead time. No quarantine.
- Rabies antibody (titer) test — the blood draw must happen before you leave, so plan it into the outbound trip: Favourable rabies antibody titer test done before leaving the EU and recorded in the EU passport. The 90-day wait that applies to the animal health certificate route does not apply.
Source:European Commission (EUR-Lex) (opens official site: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 — animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals)· checked 04 Oct 2026+1 more
Full checklist for a dog from United Kingdom to Italy
Leaving United Kingdom with the pet
- Leaving Great Britain with a pet is not researched yet — GOV.UK covers it under "taking your pet abroad".
What they actually checked at the border
Reports from people who made this trip, read by a person before publishing.
No traveller reports here yet. If you have made this trip, tell the next person what was actually checked at the border.
Share your tripSources
Every requirement above comes from one of these pages. Last researched 24 Sep 2026. Seen a change? Tell us.
- Pet travel: approved air, sea and rail carriers and routes (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: port of entry, entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (printable guide) (opens official site)Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: transport rules, microchip, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport, animal health certificate, pet passport, tapeworm treatment, owner's declaration, non-commercial limits, arrival inspection, which origins the rule covers, quarantine, this route, breed bans, leaving with the pet · checked 24 Sep 2026 · document dated 2024-10-24
- Pet travel: apply for a Great Britain pet health certificate (opens official site)APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: animal health certificate, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2023-03-16
- Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, Annex II, as it applies in Great Britain (Part 1 and Part 2 listed countries) (opens official site)The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · used for: which origins the rule covers, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026
- Countries in the EU and EEA (opens official site)GOV.UK · used for: which origins the rule covers, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026
- Put your pet in rabies quarantine (opens official site)Defra / APHA (GOV.UK) · used for: quarantine, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2025-09-08
- Pet travel: airlines and airports you can use (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Pet travel: sea and rail routes and companies you can use (opens official site)APHA / Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: entry points, this route · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-22
- Controlling your dog in public: banned dogs (opens official site)GOV.UK · used for: breed bans · checked 04 Oct 2026
- Ban on XL Bully dogs (England and Wales) (opens official site)Defra (GOV.UK) · used for: breed bans · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-09-16
- XL Bully dogs in Scotland — the rules (opens official site)Scottish Government · used for: breed bans · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-07-01
- Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act 2025 (sections 1, 5, 8 — not yet in force) (opens official site)The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk) · used for: announced changes · checked 04 Oct 2026
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 — animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals (opens official site)European Commission (EUR-Lex) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2026-03-27
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law), Part VI — non-commercial movements of pet animals (opens official site)European Parliament and Council (EUR-Lex) · used for: return trip · checked 04 Oct 2026 · document dated 2021-04-21
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More routes
Checklists for nearby trips — same rules engine, same official sources.