For many families, the pet is the part of the move that worries them most. The rules are strict but predictable: get the sequence right — microchip, vaccine, waiting period, document — and the journey itself is the easy part.
Your pet doesn't travel in the truck
Removal trucks and containers are not suitable for animals, and we never carry them with your belongings. Plan your pet's journey separately: by car with you, by ferry, in the cabin or hold of a plane, or with a specialist pet transport company. The timing should match your own arrival, so someone is there to receive them.
The basics for dogs, cats and ferrets
- Microchip first, or at the same time as the rabies vaccine. If the vaccine is given before the chip, it has to be repeated.
- Rabies vaccination, from 12 weeks of age.
- Wait at least 21 days after the primary vaccination before travelling. Boosters given on time don't restart the clock.
- The right document for your route (below).
Within the European Union
Pets travelling between EU countries use an EU pet passport, issued by an authorised vet and showing the microchip and rabies vaccination. Keep it up to date: an expired rabies vaccination means starting again with a new waiting period.
From Great Britain to the EU
Since Brexit, pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU. Instead, you need an animal health certificate (AHC) from an official vet:
- valid for 10 days from issue to enter the EU;
- then valid for onward travel within the EU and for re-entry to Great Britain for a limited period;
- a new certificate for each trip.
Once your pet lives in an EU country, you can ask a local vet there for an EU pet passport.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
Dogs entering Great Britain, Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland must be treated against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) by a vet, generally between 1 and 5 days before arrival, and the treatment must be recorded on the passport or certificate. It is easy to miss on a long road trip — plan a vet stop if needed.
Long-haul destinations
| Destination | What to expect |
|---|---|
| USA | Rules differ for dogs and cats; dogs face specific entry requirements depending on the countries they have been in. Check the current rules well in advance. |
| Canada | Rabies vaccination certificate generally required; additional conditions for some animals. |
| UAE | Import permit, microchip, vaccinations and a rabies antibody test are usually required. |
| Australia | Among the strictest in the world: rabies antibody test, approved vet procedures, import permit and post-arrival quarantine. Allow several months. |
Rules for long-haul destinations change regularly: always check the official veterinary authority of your destination before booking travel.
Practical tips for moving day
- Keep your pet away from the packing and loading — a quiet room or a friend's house avoids escapes and stress.
- Pack a pet bag that travels with you: food, bowls, lead, litter, medication, vet documents.
- Book pet-friendly stops and accommodation along the route.
- On arrival, register with a local vet and update the microchip database with your new address.
Frequently asked questions
More guides
- How to calculate the volume of your move (with m³ table)How many cubic metres is your home? Rules of thumb, a furniture-by-furniture m³ table and the mistakes that change your moving quote on collection day.
- International moving checklist: 3 months, 1 month, 1 week beforeA step-by-step checklist for moving abroad: what to do three months, one month and one week before your move, and in the first days in your new country.