Taking your dog to Spain, Portugal or France: what you need

Every month we drive dogs and cats between the UK and France, Spain and Portugal. The most common question we get is: what paperwork does my pet need? Here is a simple guide to the basics.

1. A microchip

Your pet must be microchipped before (or at the same time as) its rabies vaccination. If your pet is already chipped, ask your vet to check the chip can be read.

2. A rabies vaccination

Your pet needs an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Puppies and kittens can only be vaccinated from 12 weeks old, and after the first vaccination you need to wait 21 days before travelling.

3. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Pets travelling from Great Britain to the EU need an Animal Health Certificate, issued by an official vet no more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU. Book this appointment early, as many practices have limited slots. The certificate then covers travel within the EU for up to 4 months, and your return to Great Britain within that time.

4. Coming back to the UK: tapeworm treatment

Dogs coming into Great Britain need a tapeworm treatment given by a vet between 1 and 5 days before they arrive. This applies to dogs only, not cats. We plan our return runs around this, so we will remind you of the timing.

How we help

• We tell you exactly what is needed for your pet's journey when you book.
• We check every pet's paperwork before they travel.
• If you would like us to arrange the vet appointments for you, we can do this at cost, with plenty of notice.

Rules can change, so always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK or with your vet before you travel. If you have any questions, just ask us on WhatsApp on 07853 147342.