How do I take my pet back to the UK?

Taking a dog or cat from Portugal to Great Britain is simpler than from most countries: an EU pet passport is accepted, and there’s no quarantine if the paperwork is right. The parts that need planning are the tapeworm timing for dogs and the route, as there’s no direct ferry from Portugal and few airlines are approved.

Your countdown

Which document your pet needs

For pets coming to Great Britain from an EU country, GOV.UK accepts any of these:

• A pet passport issued in an EU country, such as one from your Portuguese vet
• An animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 6 months
• A Great Britain pet health certificate
• A pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021

The vaccination record must show your pet’s date of birth, the microchip number, when it was put in or read and where it is on the body, and the vaccine details. You must wait at least 21 full days after a first vaccination (or the last of a first course); day 1 is the day after the jab. If your pet misses a booster, it starts again, and so does the wait.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs

Every dog entering Great Britain needs it, unless it comes directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. Portugal isn’t on that list. The treatment must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive. Driving from Portugal to a ferry in Spain or France, then sailing, can take several days, so time the vet visit near the end of the journey, for example at a vet in Spain or France, or check your ferry’s arrival time carefully. If you’re delayed past 120 hours, your dog may need treating again.

Your route from Portugal

• Ferry from Spain: the approved routes are Santander to Portsmouth, Santander to Plymouth and Bilbao to Portsmouth, all with Brittany Ferries. On these sailings dogs can’t stay in your car: they go in an onboard kennel or with you in a pet-friendly cabin, and cats must be in a pet-friendly cabin. Space is very limited in summer
• Driving through France: approved crossings include Eurotunnel Le Shuttle from Calais to Folkestone and ferries from Calais, Dunkerque, Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff. Check the company accepts pets, and how many
• Flying: pets entering Great Britain by plane must travel as cargo in the hold, unless you’re on a private charter or with an assistance dog. When we checked the GOV.UK list on 9 October 2026, approved airlines included British Airways (Heathrow and Gatwick), TUI Airways and Iberia (Heathrow and Gatwick). TAP Air Portugal, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 weren’t on it. A pet shipping company can arrange cargo flights. The list changes, so check it and confirm with the airline before you book

Rules that catch people out

• Stricter rules apply if your pet arrives more than 5 days before or after you, if you bring more than 5 pets (unless for a competition, show or sporting event), or if you plan to sell, rehome or transfer it
• If you don’t follow the rules, your pet can be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you came by sea. You pay any fees
• Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiros and XL Bullies are banned in Great Britain unless the dog already has a certificate of exemption

What it costs

The total depends on the route: a vet visit for the passport and tapeworm treatment, any rabies booster, fuel, tolls and stops for the drive, a pet cabin or kennel on the ferry, or an airline cargo booking and crate plus the reception centre fee in the UK. Prices vary with your pet’s size, the route and the season, so ask for itemised quotes. Pets can come in free of import duty and VAT under transfer of residence relief: see How do we settle back into the UK?