Whether you’re travelling overseas for a holiday or relocating permanently, long-haul pet travel requires careful planning particularly when it comes to veterinary documentation and certification. Different countries have strict entry requirements, and errors or delays with paperwork are one of the most common reasons pets are unable to travel as planned. Preparing in advance helps ensure everything is in place at the right time.
It’s important to plan in advance, so you have enough time to get your pet ready for their journey.
Here’s how we support you when preparing for long-haul pet travel…
Veterinary documentation and certification
We specialise in checking and issuing official veterinary travel certificates required for long-haul pet travel.
Requirements vary depending on the destination country and may include confirmation of microchipping, vaccinations, parasite treatments, blood tests, and health certification within specific timeframes. All documentation is reviewed carefully before certificates are issued to ensure it meets the importing country’s requirements.
We can provide preparation guidance related specifically to documentation, including what paperwork is needed and when veterinary treatments or checks must be completed to remain compliant.
Planning ahead is essential
Many export certificates must be issued within narrow time windows before travel. Starting early allows enough time for:
- Any required vaccinations or blood tests
- Mandatory waiting periods
- Accurate document preparation and verification
Leaving documentation too late can result in travel delays or refusal of entry on arrival.
Before you travel
We recommend checking airline and destination requirements independently to ensure all non-veterinary aspects of travel are covered. We can support with all veterinary aspects of travel, advising on arrival requirements of your destination country, with some locations requiring veterinary checks or quarantine periods.
Travelling Outside of the EU
You will require an Export Health Certificate if you wish to travel with your pet to a non-EU country, if pets are travelling more than 5 days apart from you, their owner or if your pets are travelling for commercial reasons.
There are over 300 different pet EHCs and the requirements vary greatly depending on the destination; because of this, each EHC is priced differently.
Regardless of your travel plans, we are always happy to provide advice.
Fitness to Travel Certificates
Fitness to Travel or “Fit to Fly” certificates are often required by airlines for pets travelling on long haul flights. You should check with your airline whether you will require a Fitness to Travel certificate for your journey.
We are happy to provide a Fit to Fly certificate at a reasonable cost of £60 for a standalone Fit to Fly certificate or £50 when issued alongside an Animal Health Certificate or Export Health Certificate.
Apply for a Fitness to Travel Certificate
Travelling Back Home
If you are travelling with a dog, it may need tapeworm treatment before returning to GB. This will not be necessary if you are returning from Norway, Finland, Malta, Ireland, or Northern Ireland.
A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive and record it correctly. The treatment must be approved for use in the country where it’s being given and contain praziquantel or an equivalent proven effective against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm.
Our veterinarians are knowledgeable about pet travel and can help advise on requirements, no matter where you’re travelling. If you’re planning a holiday or moving to another country, get in touch as soon as you can to ensure there is ample time to prepare documentation.
You can find out more about our pet travel services here: Pet Travel Services – E&J
Or contact us on 0113 2840400 today.
