UK Pet Travel Documents Reference Guide (2025)
UK Pet Travel Documents Reference Guide (2025)
UK Pet Travel Documents Reference Guide (2025)
This page explains which pet travel documents apply once eligibility under UK pet travel rules is met.
For minimum age, residency, and classification rules, see the UK Pet Travel Rules reference guide.
This page explains which pet travel documents apply once eligibility under UK pet travel rules is met.
For minimum age, residency, and classification rules, see the UK Pet Travel Rules reference guide.
Pet Travel Documents Explained
Pet travel documents exist to demonstrate compliance with UK animal health, welfare, and movement rules.
The type of document required depends on:
the pet’s normal residency
the route travelled
the purpose of travel (commercial or non-commercial)
No document overrides minimum age requirements, welfare restrictions, or import controls.
1. Overview of UK Pet Travel Documents
There are three primary documents used for pet travel involving the UK:
GB Pet Travel Document (GB PTD)
EU Pet Passport
Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Each document serves a specific legal function and is valid only for certain routes and scenarios.
2. GB Pet Travel Document (GB PTD)
What it is
A government-issued document under the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme.
Who uses it
Dogs and cats normally resident in Great Britain
What it allows
Non-commercial travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Return travel from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
Key points
Designed specifically for GB ↔ NI movement
Not valid for travel to the EU or Republic of Ireland
Residency determines eligibility, not nationality or temporary location
What it does not allow
Travel to EU member states
Commercial movements
Entry into the UK if minimum age or welfare rules are not met
3. EU Pet Passport
What it is
A standardised pet travel document issued by EU-aligned authorities.
Who uses it
Pets resident in:
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
EU member states
What it allows
Travel within the EU
Entry into Northern Ireland under EU alignment
Entry into Great Britain subject to UK import requirements
Key points
EU passports remain valid for EU and ROI residents
They are recognised by the UK for entry purposes only if all UK conditions are met
What it does not allow
Exemption from UK minimum age rules
Automatic entry into Great Britain
Circumvention of welfare or commercial classification rules
NI and EU alignment
EU Pet Passports remain valid for pets normally resident in Northern Ireland due to continued alignment with EU pet travel rules.
Travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for NI-resident pets does not require documentation.
4. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
What it is
A short-term export certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian.
Who uses it
GB-resident pets travelling to:
the European Union
the Republic of Ireland
Validity
Time-limited
Route-specific
Issued shortly before travel
Key points
Replaces EU pet passports for GB exports
Required for each separate journey
What it does not allow
Repeated or long-term travel
Re-entry into the UK if minimum age or welfare rules are not met
Use for commercial movements
5. Commercial vs Non-Commercial Movement
Correct classification is essential.
Non-commercial movement generally involves:
The owner travelling with the pet
No change of ownership
A limited number of animals
Commercial movement may include:
Sale or transfer of ownership
Rescue or rehoming
Transport without the owner present
More than five pets travelling together
Commercial movements require additional documentation and are subject to increased scrutiny.
6. Documents Do Not Create Eligibility
Pet travel documents:
Confirm compliance
Do not override law
They do not:
Bypass minimum age restrictions
Override welfare or fitness-to-travel rules
Change the legal classification of a journey
Eligibility is determined by law first. Documentation comes second.
7. Return Travel Must Be Considered
Owners must assess return eligibility before travelling.
Puppies and kittens under 6 months cannot enter or re-enter the UK once the minimum age requirement is in force
This applies even if:
the pet left the UK legally
ownership has not changed
all documents are otherwise valid
Failure to plan for return eligibility can result in refusal at the border. Minimum age requirements and enforcement are set out in the UK Pet Travel Rules reference guide.
References
Pet Travel Documents Explained
Pet travel documents exist to demonstrate compliance with UK animal health, welfare, and movement rules.
The type of document required depends on:
the pet’s normal residency
the route travelled
the purpose of travel (commercial or non-commercial)
No document overrides minimum age requirements, welfare restrictions, or import controls.
1. Overview of UK Pet Travel Documents
There are three primary documents used for pet travel involving the UK:
GB Pet Travel Document (GB PTD)
EU Pet Passport
Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Each document serves a specific legal function and is valid only for certain routes and scenarios.
2. GB Pet Travel Document (GB PTD)
What it is
A government-issued document under the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme.
Who uses it
Dogs and cats normally resident in Great Britain
What it allows
Non-commercial travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Return travel from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
Key points
Designed specifically for GB ↔ NI movement
Not valid for travel to the EU or Republic of Ireland
Residency determines eligibility, not nationality or temporary location
What it does not allow
Travel to EU member states
Commercial movements
Entry into the UK if minimum age or welfare rules are not met
3. EU Pet Passport
What it is
A standardised pet travel document issued by EU-aligned authorities.
Who uses it
Pets resident in:
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
EU member states
What it allows
Travel within the EU
Entry into Northern Ireland under EU alignment
Entry into Great Britain subject to UK import requirements
Key points
EU passports remain valid for EU and ROI residents
They are recognised by the UK for entry purposes only if all UK conditions are met
What it does not allow
Exemption from UK minimum age rules
Automatic entry into Great Britain
Circumvention of welfare or commercial classification rules
NI and EU alignment
EU Pet Passports remain valid for pets normally resident in Northern Ireland due to continued alignment with EU pet travel rules.
Travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for NI-resident pets does not require documentation.
4. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
What it is
A short-term export certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian.
Who uses it
GB-resident pets travelling to:
the European Union
the Republic of Ireland
Validity
Time-limited
Route-specific
Issued shortly before travel
Key points
Replaces EU pet passports for GB exports
Required for each separate journey
What it does not allow
Repeated or long-term travel
Re-entry into the UK if minimum age or welfare rules are not met
Use for commercial movements
5. Commercial vs Non-Commercial Movement
Correct classification is essential.
Non-commercial movement generally involves:
The owner travelling with the pet
No change of ownership
A limited number of animals
Commercial movement may include:
Sale or transfer of ownership
Rescue or rehoming
Transport without the owner present
More than five pets travelling together
Commercial movements require additional documentation and are subject to increased scrutiny.
6. Documents Do Not Create Eligibility
Pet travel documents:
Confirm compliance
Do not override law
They do not:
Bypass minimum age restrictions
Override welfare or fitness-to-travel rules
Change the legal classification of a journey
Eligibility is determined by law first. Documentation comes second.
7. Return Travel Must Be Considered
Owners must assess return eligibility before travelling.
Puppies and kittens under 6 months cannot enter or re-enter the UK once the minimum age requirement is in force
This applies even if:
the pet left the UK legally
ownership has not changed
all documents are otherwise valid
Failure to plan for return eligibility can result in refusal at the border. Minimum age requirements and enforcement are set out in the UK Pet Travel Rules reference guide.
References
Pet Travel Documents Explained
Pet travel documents exist to demonstrate compliance with UK animal health, welfare, and movement rules.
The type of document required depends on:
the pet’s normal residency
the route travelled
the purpose of travel (commercial or non-commercial)
No document overrides minimum age requirements, welfare restrictions, or import controls.
1. Overview of UK Pet Travel Documents
There are three primary documents used for pet travel involving the UK:
GB Pet Travel Document (GB PTD)
EU Pet Passport
Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Each document serves a specific legal function and is valid only for certain routes and scenarios.
2. GB Pet Travel Document (GB PTD)
What it is
A government-issued document under the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme.
Who uses it
Dogs and cats normally resident in Great Britain
What it allows
Non-commercial travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Return travel from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
Key points
Designed specifically for GB ↔ NI movement
Not valid for travel to the EU or Republic of Ireland
Residency determines eligibility, not nationality or temporary location
What it does not allow
Travel to EU member states
Commercial movements
Entry into the UK if minimum age or welfare rules are not met
3. EU Pet Passport
What it is
A standardised pet travel document issued by EU-aligned authorities.
Who uses it
Pets resident in:
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
EU member states
What it allows
Travel within the EU
Entry into Northern Ireland under EU alignment
Entry into Great Britain subject to UK import requirements
Key points
EU passports remain valid for EU and ROI residents
They are recognised by the UK for entry purposes only if all UK conditions are met
What it does not allow
Exemption from UK minimum age rules
Automatic entry into Great Britain
Circumvention of welfare or commercial classification rules
NI and EU alignment
EU Pet Passports remain valid for pets normally resident in Northern Ireland due to continued alignment with EU pet travel rules.
Travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for NI-resident pets does not require documentation.
4. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
What it is
A short-term export certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian.
Who uses it
GB-resident pets travelling to:
the European Union
the Republic of Ireland
Validity
Time-limited
Route-specific
Issued shortly before travel
Key points
Replaces EU pet passports for GB exports
Required for each separate journey
What it does not allow
Repeated or long-term travel
Re-entry into the UK if minimum age or welfare rules are not met
Use for commercial movements
5. Commercial vs Non-Commercial Movement
Correct classification is essential.
Non-commercial movement generally involves:
The owner travelling with the pet
No change of ownership
A limited number of animals
Commercial movement may include:
Sale or transfer of ownership
Rescue or rehoming
Transport without the owner present
More than five pets travelling together
Commercial movements require additional documentation and are subject to increased scrutiny.
6. Documents Do Not Create Eligibility
Pet travel documents:
Confirm compliance
Do not override law
They do not:
Bypass minimum age restrictions
Override welfare or fitness-to-travel rules
Change the legal classification of a journey
Eligibility is determined by law first. Documentation comes second.
7. Return Travel Must Be Considered
Owners must assess return eligibility before travelling.
Puppies and kittens under 6 months cannot enter or re-enter the UK once the minimum age requirement is in force
This applies even if:
the pet left the UK legally
ownership has not changed
all documents are otherwise valid
Failure to plan for return eligibility can result in refusal at the border. Minimum age requirements and enforcement are set out in the UK Pet Travel Rules reference guide.