Pet Relocation UK to Europe

Relocating from the UK to Europe with a pet is a more involved process than it was before 2021. Post-Brexit pet travel rules mean that UK residents moving to an EU country with a dog, cat or ferret need an Animal Health Certificate for every outbound journey. There is no longer a reusable pet passport system for UK-issued documents.

This guide covers what you need, how to time it and how to find the right transport service for the move.

What documents does a pet need to leave the UK for Europe?

For any pet travelling from the UK to an EU member state, the requirements are:

• Microchip — ISO 15-digit, must predate the rabies vaccination
• Valid rabies vaccination — check expiry date at time of EU entry
• Animal Health Certificate (AHC) — issued by UK Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel
• Confirm destination country requirements — most EU states accept standard AHC, but check for any extras
• Book a DEFRA-licensed transport service that holds EU authorisation

The AHC is single-journey and time-limited

The Animal Health Certificate must be issued by a UK Official Veterinarian within 10 days of your pet's travel date. It cannot be prepared in advance of that window. This is the most common planning mistake for UK to Europe relocations — owners try to sort the paperwork too early and then the certificate expires before travel.

The cost of an AHC varies by vet practice, typically between £200 and £350. Not all UK vets are Official Veterinarians (OV), so confirm OV status when booking the appointment.

Rabies vaccination: check the timing

The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of EU entry. If your pet was vaccinated more than a year ago, check with your vet whether a booster is needed. Some EU countries require the vaccination to have been administered at least 21 days before travel — check this for your specific destination.

Which countries does Silver Pet Travel serve?

We provide UK to Europe pet relocation transport to France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. We operate under DEFRA licence UK/REIGA/T2/00115179 and EU authorisation IE/TYPE2/3527, which means we are legally authorised to operate on both sides of the Channel.

What does the journey look like?

A typical UK to Europe relocation with Silver Pet Travel works as follows:

• We collect from your UK address at the agreed time
• Your pet travels in a private vehicle with a dedicated handler
• We cross via Eurotunnel LeShuttle (Folkestone to Calais) — the fastest and calmest crossing for most animals
• We continue by road to your destination in Europe
• You receive WhatsApp updates throughout the journey
• We deliver to your European address and confirm the handover

Preparing your pet for the relocation

A relocation is a long day for any animal. To reduce stress:

• Familiarise your pet with the carrier at least two weeks before travel
• Do not change feeding or routine significantly in the days before
• Bring a familiar blanket, toy or item of clothing in the carrier
• Ask your vet about calming options if your pet is particularly anxious