European Regulation on the non-commercial movement of pet animal - questions and answers
Part 1: Introduction
Q1. Why has the European Union (EU) introduced this Regulation?
A1. To harmonise Community rules on the movement of pets. At the moment, each Member State sets its own rules for movement of pets into its territory.
Q2. From when did it apply?
A2. From 3 July 2004.
Q3. What are the new arrangements called?
A3. The UK intends to continue to use the name “Pet Travel Scheme”.
Q4. Which are the Member States of the European Community (EU listed countries)?
A4. Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (but not Northern (Turkish) Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
Q5. What is a non-EU (or third) country?
A5. Any country which is not a member of the EU (but also see next question).
Q6. Are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man covered by this Regulation?
A6. Yes. For the purposes of the Regulation, they are regarded as part of the UK.
Q7. Which are the non-EU listed countries?
A7. These are those countries outside the EU which meet certain conditions with regard to rabies. Less restrictive conditions will apply to animals entering the EU from non-EU listed countries than from unlisted ones.
Q8. Which are the unlisted countries?
A8. These high-risk countries will not be listed but are all countries other than EU countries or non-EU listed countries identified in answers 4 and 7. Dogs, cats and ferrets entering from high-risk third countries will still have to enter quarantine on arrival in the UK.
Q9. What is the position of the 10 new European Member States?
A9. Cyprus and Malta have been part of PETS since 31 January 2001. The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia became part of PETS on 3 July 2004. Animals from Northern (Turkish) Cyprus will have to be licensed into quarantine for 6 months when travelling to the UK after 30 September 2004. An import licence must be obtained in advance of travelling.
Part 2: Dogs and cats
(a) Movement between Member States and from non-EU listed countries into the EU
Q10. Will I still be able to bring my dog/cat into or back into the UK without quarantine under the new Regulation?
A10. Yes. You are able to bring your dog or cat from EU and non-EU listed counties into or back into the UK without quarantine provided it meets the rules. It can travel directly or via any of those countries. The existing requirements for a microchip, vaccination, successful blood test at an EU approved laboratory, a passport issued by a government-authorised vet, and the 6 calendar month wait will not change. The requirement for animals to be treated for ticks and tapeworms 24 to 48 hours before being checked-in to travel into the UK will also remain. Pets must not have been outside any of the qualifying countries in the 6 calendar months immediately before travelling to the UK and must enter the UK using an approved transport company and route.
Q11. Are the rules different for movement between other Member States and from non-EU listed countries into the EU?
A11. The national authorities in Ireland and Sweden should be contacted for details of entry requirements for those countries. There will continue to be free movement between the UK and the Republic of Ireland but if you have PETS documents you are advised to take them with you.
To take an animal into a Member State (other than the UK, Ireland or Sweden) from any Member State or from a non-EU listed country, it must have been identified by a microchip (or certain countries may accept a tattoo), successfully vaccinated against rabies and issued with a passport.
Q12. What are the rules for moving dogs and cats under 3 months old?
A12. The movement between certain Member States of dogs and cats that are under 3 months old and unvaccinated may be allowed. They must be accompanied by a passport and have stayed in the place where they were born since birth without contact with wild animals likely to have been exposed to rabies, or be accompanied by their mothers on whom they are still dependent.
The entry into Member States of dogs and cats that are under 3 months old and unvaccinated may be allowed from certain non-EU listed countries. The conditions that will apply will be agreed later.
The UK does not allow the direct entry of unvaccinated cats and dogs, and animals may not be vaccinated against rabies until they are at least 3 months old. These requirements will not change under the EU Regulation.
(b) Movement from unlisted countries
Q13. What are the rules for bringing dogs and cats from an unlisted country into or back into the UK, Ireland or Sweden?
A13. Animals arriving in the UK will have to go into quarantine for 6 months. The national authorities in Ireland and Sweden should be contacted for details of entry requirements for those countries.
Q14. What are the rules for bringing a dog or cat from an unlisted country into or back into a Member State other than the UK, Ireland and Sweden?
A14. Before travelling, the animal must be:
- identified by a microchip (or a tattoo may be accepted by certain countries)
- vaccinated against rabies
- blood tested at an EU approved laboratory. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before the animal travels to an EU country. The blood test result must show that the rabies neutralising antibody titre was equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml
- accompanied by a certificate issued by a vet or, if re-entering the EU, by an EU pet passport certifying compliance with the above conditions.
The 3 month period referred to above does not apply to the re-entry of a pet animal whose passport certifies that a satisfactory blood test was carried out at an EU approved laboratory before the animal left an EU country.
Part 3: Ferrets
Q15. What rules will apply to ferrets entering or re-entering the UK from other EU countries?
A15. Ferrets must in this order be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and issued with a passport. Ferrets will not be allowed to enter the UK with a PETS certificate. They must be treated against ticks and tapeworms and this treatment will be recorded in the passport. Ferrets must not have been outside any of the qualifying countries in the 6 calendar months immediately before travelling to the UK and must enter the UK using an approved transport company and route. A 6 month wait is not necessary.
There are no requirements for ferrets entering the UK from the Republic of Ireland.
Ferrets from non-EU listed countries which travel to the UK via another EU country are subject to the 6 month rule (see A16 for details).
Q16. What rules will apply to ferrets entering or re-entering the UK from non-EU listed countries?
A16. Ferrets must in this order be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and if prepared in the EU, issued with a passport. If they are prepared in a non-EU listed country they will need an official veterinary certificate. Ferrets will not be allowed to enter the UK with a PETS certificate. They must be treated against ticks and tapeworms and this treatment will be recorded in the passport or on the veterinary certificate. Ferrets must not have been outside any of the qualifying countries in the 6 calendar months immediately before travelling to the UK and must enter the UK using an approved transport company and route. They may not enter the UK until 6 months from the date they were vaccinated against rabies.
Ferrets from non-EU listed countries which travel to the UK via another EU country are also subject to the 6 month rule.
Where a six month wait applies, your ferret must undertake it only once provided the subsequent rabies booster vaccinations are given by the required date.
Q17. What rules will apply to ferrets entering or re-entering the UK from unlisted countries?
A17. Ferrets entering the UK from unlisted countries will have to be licensed into quarantine for 6 months. This must be arranged before the animal travels.
Q18. What are the rules for bringing a ferret from an unlisted country into or back into a Member State other than the UK, Ireland and Sweden?
A18. Before travelling, the animal must be:
- identified by a microchip (or a tattoo may be accepted by certain countries)
- vaccinated against rabies
- blood tested at an EU approved laboratory. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before the animal travels to an EU country. The blood test result must show that the rabies neutralising antibody titre was equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml
- accompanied by a certificate issued by a vet or, if re-entering the EU, by an EU pet passport certifying compliance with the above conditions.
The 3 month period referred to above does not apply to the re-entry of a pet animal whose passport certifies that a satisfactory blood test was carried out at an EU approved
laboratory before the animal left an EU country.
Q19. What rules will apply to ferrets leaving the UK to go to other EU countries or travelling between other EU countries?
A19. Ferrets will have to be identified by a microchip (or a tattoo may be accepted by certain countries), vaccinated and issued with a passport. Additional requirements apply to ferrets entering Sweden and, from countries other than the UK, the Republic of Ireland although there are no requirements for animals travelling between the UK and Ireland.
Until 30 September 2004, instead of a passport, ferrets may be accompanied by an Export Health/rabies vaccination certificate that shows that the animal complies with the requirements for entering the relevant Member State.
From 1 October 2004, if they do not have a passport, ferrets must have a valid Export Health/rabies vaccination certificate issued before 1 October which shows that the animal is microchipped and vaccinated.
Ferrets may not travel with PETS certificates.
Part 4: Other animals
Q20. What other animals are covered by the Regulation?
A21. Domestic rabbits and rodents (including guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice and gerbils), birds (except certain poultry), ornamental tropical fish, invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans), amphibia and reptiles. The Regulation does not affect animals covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which will remain subject to the provisions of Council Regulation 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora.
Q22. What are the rules on the movement of pet rabbits and rodents under the Regulation?
A22. The following rules apply:
- Movement between Member States or into the EU from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican will not be subject to any requirement with regard to rabies. This means that currently there are no requirements for these animals when entering the UK from these countries. The EU may impose conditions on the movement of these animals at a later date.
- Animals from these countries will be able to enter the UK on any route at any point of entry.
- Animals in quarantine in the UK from these countries will become eligible for early release.
- When imported into the UK from any other country, animals must be licensed into quarantine for 6 months. The EU may revise this requirement at a later date.
Part 5: Other issues
Q23. Does the Regulation state the type of rabies vaccine required?
A23. Where a rabies vaccination is required, an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigenic unit per dose must be used (World Health Organisation standard).
Q24. Is there a limit on the number of animals I can travel with?
A24. There is no limit when moving pets between EU countries. The maximum number of all types of pet animals each person may bring into the EU from most non-EU countries is 5. The exceptions are Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican for which no limit has yet been set. Moving more than 5 animals will be regarded as commercial movement.
Q25. What about the tick and tapeworm treatment?
A25. This will be required as normal. If you don't have an EU pet passport you should be able to get a tick and tapeworm treatment certificate from a vet in most of the countries in which your dog, cat or ferret is treated (but you are advised to check this in advance). The exceptions are the new countries which qualified from 3 July 2004:
(i) Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in the EU - the options for travelling from these countries are given in answer 32.
(ii) Aruba, Croatia, Faroe Islands, French Guyana, Greenland, the Grenadines, Netherlands Antilles and St Pierre & Miquelon outside the EU. In the case of these countries, you will either need to:
- get an official veterinary certificate (which includes provision to record the tick and tapeworm treatment); or, if this is not available, you can
- travel to the UK via another qualifying PETS country that issues tick and tapeworm certificates or pet passports; or
- before you travel, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival in the UK with a view to obtaining its early release after the tick and tapeworm treatment has been given.
Q26. Will I still have to complete a declaration of residency when entering the UK?
A26. No
Q27. My pet is due to be released from quarantine under early release arrangements. Will that still happen?
A27. Yes, provided it meets all the necessary requirements.
Part 6: Getting a pet passport and using PETS certificates
Q28. When can I get an EU pet passport?
A28. In Great Britain, passports may only be issued by Panel 2 Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs) and are now being issued to pet owners.
Q29. When can I start using the passport?
A29. They are valid for use now.
Q30. Which countries can I enter using the passport?
A30. Any EU country (these are listed in answer 4).
Q31. From which countries can I use the passport to enter the UK or another EU country?
A31. Any EU country or non-EU listed country (see answers 4 and 7).
Q32. What happens if I can't get a passport before I travel with my dog or cat?
A32. You will be able to use a PETS certificate. This will enable your pet to re-enter the UK from most qualifying countries. The countries from which you will not be able to travel direct to the UK using a PETS certificate are:
(i) Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in the EU.
(ii) Aruba, Croatia, Faroe Islands, French Guyana, Greenland, the Grenadines, Netherlands Antilles and St Pierre & Miquelon outside the EU.
This is because these countries will not be able to issue the required tick and tapeworm certificate.
The options for travelling from the countries in list (i) are:
- get a passport while you are there (you should check whether they are available); or
- travel to the UK via another qualifying PETS country that issues tick and tapeworm certificates; or
- before you travel, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival in the UK with a view to obtaining its early release after the tick and tapeworm treatment has been given.
The options for travelling from the countries in list 2 are given in answer 25.
The PETS certificate will enable you to take your pet into any other EU country (except Sweden and the Republic of Ireland - although free movement will continue between the UK and Ireland). If you are using a PETS certificate to enter another EU country before 30 September 2004 you are advised for additional reassurance to also get an Export Health Certificate (or a PETS 5 for France). For more advice on how to get one, contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office.
Q33. What happens if I'm in a listed country that doesn't issue PETS certificates and isn't yet ready to issue passports?
A33. You can:
- travel to the UK via another qualifying PETS country that is issuing passports (or PETS certificates) and get one there (you will need your pet's vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number); or
- before travelling to the UK, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number. Your animal will be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
Q34. What happens if I'm travelling from a country from which there is no approved route into the UK?
A34. You can:
- travel via another qualifying PETS country which does have an approved route to the UK and use that; or
- before travelling to the UK, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's documentation (either the passport, PETS certificate or official third country veterinary certificate or, if you have none of these, its vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number). Your animal will be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
Q35. My pet needs, or will soon need, a new rabies vaccination. Should I get a new PETS certificate or get a passport?
A35. It is most important that your pet receives its rabies booster on time. You are strongly advised to get a passport but if you have to travel before you can get one, you should get a PETS certificate. If you are using a PETS certificate to enter another EU country before 30 September 2004 you are advised for additional reassurance to also get an Export Health Certificate (or a PETS 5 for France). For more advice on how to get one, contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office.
Q36. For how long can I use my PETS certificate?
A36. PETS certificates can be issued until 30 September 2004 and can be used until they expire. See also answer 32.
Page last modified: January 23, 2007