General advice
If you travel or take your pet to live in an EU country, Northern Ireland or the rest of the world, check the requirements of the country you'll be entering for their latest guidance.
Pets travelling on a commercial carrier may be checked before departure. The authorities in the country of entry may also carry out any necessary checks.
If your pet will return to Jersey, you should also check the requirements for
bringing your dog, cat or ferret to Jersey from the EU or the rest of the world before you travel.
Your pet should be healthy and fit for any travel journey. Find guidance and information on your pet's welfare while travelling.
Entry requirements for the EU or Northern Ireland
Your pet can enter the EU or Northern Ireland only if it:
- has a microchip
- is vaccinated against rabies
- has been vaccinated after it was microchipped
- was at least 12 weeks old at the time of its rabies vaccination
- was vaccinated at least 21 days before travelling
- has a valid entry document for the EU or Northern Ireland (pet passport or an Animal Health Certificate)
- has been treated for tapeworm 1 to 5 days before its scheduled arrival (for certain countries and dogs only, see dogs tapeworm treatment)
- enters via a Travellers' Point of Entry
- travels with or within 5 days of its owner who is named in and has signed the travel document. If its owner is travelling within 5 days of the pet, proof of movement may be requested such as flight or ferry booking confirmation. These documents should accompany your pet
If your pet is not travelling with or within 5 days of its owner, you need to follow additional requirements.
Email the States Veterinary Officer or phone +44 (0) 1534 441600.
Additional requirement for Northern Ireland
If you're travelling to Northern Ireland direct from Jersey or via Great Britain and your pet's passport was issued in Northern Ireland, contact your vet for advice before travelling.
You should also read the rules about taking pets to Northern Ireland on
the NIDirect website.
Entry document for the EU or Northern Ireland
To enter the EU or Northern Ireland, your pet needs an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) or a valid pet passport. UK pet passports are no longer valid to enter but you can use them to return to Jersey from the EU or Northern Ireland.
Contact your Jersey vet to issue the AHC in the official language of the country you'll be entering the EU or Northern Ireland. For example, if your pet enters via St Malo your AHC will be in French, even if your final destination is Portugal.
If your vet doesn't have an AHC in the required language, they can order one. This may take a few days to arrive.
Your AHC can only be used for 1 entry and is valid for:
- 10 days after the date of issue for entry
- onward travel within the EU and Northern Ireland for up to 4 months after the date of issue, if within the validity period of the rabies vaccine
- re-entry to Great Britain for up to 4 months after the date of issue, if within the validity period of the rabies vaccine
If your final destination is another EU Member State, you must get your AHC endorsed at the point of entry.
Dogs tapeworm treatment
Your dog must have a valid tapeworm treatment if you wish to travel to:
- Northern Ireland
- Republic of Ireland
- Malta
- Finland
- Norway
Your dog must be treated for tapeworm within 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) of its scheduled arrival in the country.
A registered vet in Jersey will be able to carry out the tapeworm treatment and enter it into your dog's Animal Health Certificate or Pet Passport.
Ticks and other diseases
Talk to your vet about the requirements for ticks and other diseases in the country you'll be entering.
Taking pet food to the EU and Northern Ireland
You can take up to 2 kilograms of pet food into the EU or Nothern Ireland if it's needed for medical reasons. The food must:
- not require refrigeration
- be a packaged and branded product
- be in an unbroken packet, unless in current use
Your vet may be able to issue a private vet certificate confirming your pet is on medicated pet food.
Travelling with more than 5 pets
If you travel with more than 5 pets to attend a competition, show, sporting event, or training for such event, you need:
- a written evidence of registration for the event
- all your pets to be over 6 months old
- all your pets to be attending the event
- to meet the pet travel rules of the country you'll be entering
You must complete the declaration form confirming you're not going to sell or rehome your pets. This form does not need to be completed if you're travelling with 5 pets or less.
Declaration form for moving more than 5 pets for a competition or show
If you travel with more than 5 pets for other reasons, check the requirements of the country you'll be entering.
Taking your pet to the rest of the world
To take your pet dog or cat to travel or live in any country outside of the EU you need:
A Jersey vet must complete your EHC and your pet must meet all the requirements. Once we receive your application form, we'll issue your EHC to your nominated vet.
Application for an official export certificate for dogs and cats
Not all authorities accept an EHC issued in Jersey. We have EHC agreements in place for:
- Australia
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Hong Kong
- New Zealand
- Republic of South Africa
- Singapore
If we don't have an EHC agreement with the country you're going, we may be able to prepare one. This can take several months.
Dogs not allowed in other countries
Check with the authorities of the country of entry to see which types of dogs may be on their banned list.
gov.je