Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (2024)

The rules for bringing your pet cat, dog or ferret into Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) depend on what country you’re coming from.

‘Part 1’ listed countries

The following countries are ‘part 1’ listed:

  • EU countries
  • Andorra
  • Azores and Madeira
  • Canary Islands
  • French Guiana
  • Gibraltar
  • Greenland and the Faroe Islands
  • Guadeloupe
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Martinique
  • Mayotte (French territory)
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • Réunion (French territory)
  • Saint Barthélemy (French Territory)
  • San Marino
  • Saint Martin (French part of the island - French territory)
  • Switzerland
  • Vatican City State

Pet travel documents for ‘part 1’ listed countries

You must have one of the following documents to bring a pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain from a ‘part 1’ listed country:

  • a pet passport issued in a ‘part 1’ listed country
  • an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 4 months
  • a pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021
  • a Great Britain pet health certificate

Find out how to get pet travel documents.

‘Part 2’ listed countries

The following countries are ‘part 2’ listed:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Aruba
  • Ascension Island
  • Australia
  • Bahrain
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Bermuda
  • BES Islands (Bonair, Saint Eustatius and Saba)
  • Bosnia-Herzegovina
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • Curaçao
  • Falkland Islands
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Hong Kong
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Montserrat
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • North Macedonia
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Maarten
  • Singapore
  • St Helena
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Pierre and Miquelon
  • St Vincent and The Grenadines
  • Taiwan
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Arab Emirates
  • USA (includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands)
  • Vanuatu
  • Wallis and Futuna

Pet travel documents for ‘part 2’ listed countries

You must have a Great Britain pet health certificate to bring a pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain from a ‘part 2’ listed country.

You’ll need extra documents if you’re entering Great Britain with a cat from Australia or a cat or dog from Malaysia.

Find out how to get pet travel documents.

You cannot use a pet passport or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) to bring a pet to Great Britain if you’re travelling from a ‘part 2’ listed country.

Countries that are not listed

If your country is not listed, you must have a Great Britain pet health certificate to bring your pet to Great Britain. Find out how to get pet travel documents.

Your pet will also have to follow specific rules on rabies, vaccinations and blood tests.

If you’re travelling from Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

Your pet dog, cat or ferret will not need a pet passport or health certificate if it’s entering Great Britain from:

  • Northern Ireland
  • the Channel Islands
  • the Isle of Man
Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (2024)

FAQs

Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain? ›

The pet travel scheme—PETS—allows pet cats, dogs and ferrets to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they are microchipped, have a pet passport and a rabies vaccination, and have waited 21 days after the vaccination before travelling.

Can I bring my cats to England? ›

You can enter or return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it: has been microchipped. has a pet passport or health certificate. has been vaccinated against rabies - it will also need a blood test if you're travelling from an country that is not 'listed'

Do British people prefer cats or dogs? ›

Using insights from over 60,000 UK pet owners, our 2018 Pet Census has unearthed that Britain's favourite pet is the dog, winning by a landslide. 67% of our Census respondents were dog owners, though this may come as no surprise due to the long-standing and legendary human-canine bond.

How many pets can you bring to UK? ›

You cannot bring more than 5 pets to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) unless you're attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event.

Do more people own cats or dogs in the UK? ›

Dogs: There are approximately 13.5 million dogs as pets in the UK, with 36% of households owning a dog. Cats: There are approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK, with 29% of all households having a cat.

How stressful is flying for cats? ›

Most of the time, cats travel quite well, without needing medication. Some cats, on the other hand, experience tremendous stress when subjected to air travel. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your cat if she does not travel well.

How much does it cost to fly a cat to the UK? ›

How much does pet shipping cost?
AirlineCost of shipping a dogCost of shipping a cat
British Airways£2600 – £8000£2600 – £2800
Emirates£1400 – £8000£1400 – £1600
Qatar Airways£1400 – £8000£1400 – £1600
QantasNot currently carrying pets from UK
12 more rows
Mar 18, 2024

What is the most common pet in the UK? ›

Dogs sit at the top of the chain, with a population of 12 million, with 31% of British households having at least one pooch.

What is the most common animal in the UK? ›

The grass-tunnelling field vole is our most abundant mammal and represents a vital link in the food chain.

What is the most popular dog in the UK? ›

1. Labrador Retriever. With 38,074 registrations, the Labrador Retriever is by some margin – well over 11,000 – the most popular dog in the UK. Registrations are down from last year by some 6,000, but this gentlemanly gundog is still a hit in the field, in the home and as a working service dog.

How many pets can 1 person fly with? ›

You can bring up to 2 pets per person. However, you must buy 2 seats on your flight if you're bringing 2 pets.

Can I travel with 3 pets? ›

Up to three pets per passenger are allowed to travel as accompanied baggage. They can share a kennel if they weigh under 14 kg (30 lbs) each, are two adult animals of similar size, or up to three animals under 6 months old from the same litter. The same rules apply for cats and dogs traveling as cargo.

Can pets fly in cabin to England? ›

An important rule that may come as a surprise to many pet owners is that animals aren't permitted to travel in the cabin if you're visiting the U.K. The only exception to this is if you're flying with service dogs. However, many airlines can carry your pet as manifest cargo.

Do the British prefer cats or dogs? ›

In conclusion, it is clear that both cats and dogs are beloved in the UK. However, dogs are more popular overall.

Are cats cheaper than dogs UK? ›

Most dogs will cost owners at least £23,000 over their lifetime, with cats a cheaper option at around £12,000. However, these prices can be much higher of your pet suffers from a chronic condition which requires regular trips to the vet and ongoing medication.

Are cats popular in UK? ›

Dogs may reign supreme in the nation, but cats are still a popular choice for pets in the UK, and for the. It is safe to say that UK cat owners have strong emotional ties with their furry friends, with majority of people viewing cats not just as pets but as reliable sources for love, affection, and happiness.

Do cats have to go into quarantine in the UK? ›

Not all countries have mandatory quarantine; it is enforced only when the pet does not meet all the pet import regulations in some countries. The United Kingdom does not have mandatory quarantine for pet dogs and cats as long as all pet import criteria are met.

Can I fly to the UK with my cat in the cabin? ›

An important rule that may come as a surprise to many pet owners is that animals aren't permitted to travel in the cabin if you're visiting the U.K. The only exception to this is if you're flying with service dogs. However, many airlines can carry your pet as manifest cargo.

Can I take my cat on a plane in the UK? ›

Which UK Airlines Allow Pets In Cabin? The main 3 airlines that allow pets in the cabin are: KLM, Lufthansa and Air France. This only applies for very small pets that weigh less than 8kg and would have to be booked direct through the airline, without the assistance of a pet export company like Fetchapet.

Are cats allowed in the UK? ›

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows cats and other animals to travel and enter the UK without the need for quarantine, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. More information about PETS can be obtained from the government website – visit www.gov.uk or phone 0870 241 1710.

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