Moving to UK > Moving with Your Pet to the UK
Summary: If you're moving to the UK with a pet, the regulations that apply to your pet are determined by the type of animal, breed of dog and where you are moving from.
Congratulations, you and your family are making the move to the UK - and so are your furry friends. Whether Fido has been a part of the family for half a decade or Percy is a new addition, there are things you should know before taking your dog or cat into the UK.
The regulations that apply to your pet will depend on not only which animal, but also where you are coming from - either the EU/listed country, or unlisted country.
You can bring in pet rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, and reptiles to the UK from other EU countries without restrictions, which is great for Nemo.
However, if you are coming from an EU or listed country with your pet dog, cat, or ferret, you will need to follow these 6 steps before they can enter the UK with or without you:
When you move to the UK with your pet from an unlisted country (including South Africa), as well as your pet meeting the EU entry requirements, they must also:
Pet rabbits and rodents from outside the EU must spend 4 months in quarantine, and they also need a rabies import licence. On the bright side, this means that you will have time to get your new flat or house ready for them.
The Pet Travel Scheme (PTS) has made it easier to bring your pets to the UK. Quarantine is no longer necessary for your cats and dogs if all the steps above are followed.
As part of the PTS, a Pet Passport is needed for your dog, cat, or ferret if moving from the EU. To obtain a Pet Passport, you'll need to take your pet, his/her vaccination records and any blood test results and present them to your vet.
From 29th December 2014, a new Pet Passport was introduced, to provide extra security, although the old style ones can be used until they run out.
If you're coming from outside the EU to enter the UK, you need a third-country official veterinary certificate.
Don't forget that when you enter the UK from a non-EU country, your pet will also have to clear customs before you can collect him/her. If you have a different country passport from your pet - it happens - this doesn't mean you have to fill out separate landing cards and stand in different queues at Border Control.
If your pet doesn't originate from the countries mentioned above, keep reading. Certain pets fall under tighter regulations, depending on where they originate from:
Certain dog breeds are banned from entering the UK based on their traits. These include:
You can't enter the UK with more than five pets, unless you're attending or training for a competition or show. If may contact the property authorities if you believe that you may be exempt, however all competition related pets must:
Now that you have the information you need to make sure your much loved pet moves to the UK with you, it's time to schedule those vet appointments.
[1] The listed counties are: 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, CuraƧao, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Saint Maarten, Singapore, St Helena, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Pierre and Miquelon, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Taiwan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 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.
Alexandra Yanik writes on behalf of MoveHub, an online platform that helps people move abroad. She is also an expat living in London and loves dogs.
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First Published: Oct 13, 2015
Get a quote for expat health insurance in UK from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
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The cost of living in London routinely ranks among the highest in the world. Here is some basic information about the realities of living in London and what you'll need to consider when deciding whether or not to move there.
Expats describe London as a love it or hate it city. With it's high cost of living and rainy weather, it's not for everyone. But, those who move to London and love it will tell you that the city's tremendous diversity, vibrant nightlife, incredible restaurants and varied neighborhoods.
Families moving to London who are interested in an American curriculum, IB program or bi-lingual education for their children, may be interested in these popular expat schools.
Already living abroad? Write a report about moving overseas to help people preparing to move abroad.
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