Travel Scheme: Travelling with a pet dog, cat, ferret, or assistance dog from GB to NI

8 November 2024

Defra have published (6^th November 2024) a policy paper: Northern Ireland pet travel scheme: how the scheme will work – GOV.UK announcing a new pet travel scheme as part of the Windsor Framework. The Windsor Framework is the agreement with the EU which replaced the old Northern Ireland Protocol. The Northern Ireland pet travel scheme will provide a new, simpler way to travel for pet dogs (or assistance dogs), cats and ferrets from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland (NI).

Northern Ireland pet travel scheme

Applications for the pet travel document required for GB-based pets will open in April 2025 and the scheme will launch fully on 4^th June 2025. The new pet travel scheme removes the existing requirement under the EU regulations for UK based pet owners to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), have an up-to-date rabies vaccination and, for dogs, tapeworm treatment, for each trip a pet or assistance dog owner takes from GB to NI.

Instead, pet owners living in GB will be able to apply online, free of charge, for a lifelong pet travel document. There will also be an option to apply over the phone. Pet owners living in GB also need to make sure their pet is microchipped to apply. Each pet will need its own pet travel document. This is valid for the lifetime of the pet.

Pet owners who are resident in NI do not need to apply for a pet travel document to travel to GB with their pet, and do not need a pet travel document to travel back from GB to NI. NI pet owners are still required to make sure their pets are microchipped. They should refer to Defra’s guidance before they travel.

Pet owners who are travelling with their pet beyond NI into the Republic of Ireland or another EU country, will need an EU pet passport or AHC in line with the current requirements. They will not need to apply for the pet travel document. Pet Travel Documents and the pets associated with them may be checked at GB points of departure.

How do pet owners apply for a pet travel document?

To apply for a pet travel document, GB pet owners will need to:

Be aged 16 or over
Live at an address in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland)
Make sure their pet is microchipped and that their microchip information is up to date
Sign a declaration as part of the pet travel document confirming that the pet owner will not travel with their pet into Ireland or another EU country using this scheme

Pet owners living in GB can apply for a pet travel document free of charge. They must apply for the document before they travel to NI. The scheme will open for applications in April 2025. To help owners understand the application process, please refer to the full guidance on Northern Ireland pet travel scheme: how the scheme will work – GOV.UK

Travelling with more than five pets or for commercial purposes

If pet owners want to travel with more than five pets at once to NI for commercial purposes such as a change of ownership or sale, they cannot use the NI pet travel scheme, and must adhere to the additional requirements listed here: Guidance on bringing commercial transports of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to NI from GB | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)

Pet owners traveling with more than five pets for a competition, exhibition or sporting event are allowed to use to NI pet travel scheme. To do so, the pet owner will need to show written proof of registration for the event, or with an association organising such events, when they travel. Each pet will need to have their own pet travel document and be over 6 months old.

More information

Webinar sessions   Defra will be running webinar sessions in November. The purpose of these webinars is to provide an opportunity to explain the scheme in more detail. Further information about the webinar sessions will be made available in due course.

Contact Defra If you have any questions about the scheme, please refer to the policy paper Northern Ireland pet travel scheme: how the scheme will work – GOV.UK, or alternatively email: ni.trade@defra.gov.uk. There will be more information once the scheme goes live in June 2025.