Traveling to Northern Ireland with Your Pet
New Pet Travel Scheme Launching June 4th 2025
If you’re planning to take your pet from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, a new Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme is making things simpler.
What is the Scheme?
The Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme is a new government initiative to make it easier for pet owners to travel to Northern Ireland with their pets for non-commercial reasons.
Who can use it?
You can use the scheme if:
- You live in Great Britain
- You are aged 16 or over
- Your dog, cat, ferret, or assistance dog is microchipped
- You are travelling only to Northern Ireland (not onward to Ireland or the EU)
What Do You Need?
- A Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document, valid for your pet’s lifetime
- No need for:
- Rabies vaccination
- Tapeworm treatment (for dogs)
- An Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
- An Official Vet (OV) signature
This new scheme is easier and more cost-effective than the traditional AHC route.
How Do You Apply?
You can apply free of charge through the GOV.UK website: Apply for a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document
If you prefer, you can still use an Animal Health Certificate instead: More on AHCs
For full travel guidance: Travelling to Northern Ireland with Pets
Need advice?
We’re happy to help, get in touch with our team today.
