Moving pets overseas

Moving pets to Europe

All cats, dogs and ferrets travelling within the EU are required to have pet passports verifying that they are healthy, vaccinated for rabies, and government-authorised to travel. The purpose of the pet passport scheme (PETS) is to simplify and standardise pet importation regulations across a number of European countries.

One of the requirements of PETS is that your pet must be identified by an electronic microchip inserted under the skin (usually near the shoulder area). This is not a monitoring device; the microchip contains a number that will match the number on the microchip in the pet’s passport. When your pet arrives at its destination, immigration officials will use the microchip to verify that the pet they are scanning is the pet whose details are on the pet passport. The microchip can also be used to identify the pet in the event that the pet is lost.

Pet passports contain the following information:
-The microchip number of the pet
-Certification of valid rabies vaccination and other vaccinations done in the past
-Veterinarian’s letter confirming that the pet is healthy and fit for travel
-Government certification that all export documentation and certificates are ready for travel

To obtain an information pack on pet passports, email Defra or call them on 0870 241 1710, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time (closed Bank Holidays).

Your veterinarian can provide you with an EU pet passport. To find a veterinarian click here (a new browser will open).