🐈 Taking a Cat to United Kingdom

Prepared by the Animals Productions editorial team. See about us and our editorial standards.

Here's exactly what you need to bring a cat into United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The rules below are specific to cats; for the full country overview see the country hub.

Verified entry requirements (2026)

1. Microchip — before the rabies vaccination.
2. Rabies vaccination — wait ≥21 days after the first vaccination. (Minimum vaccination age 12 weeks — verify on gov.uk.)
3. Titer test — ONLY if travelling from a country that is NOT in the EU AND NOT “listed”. Blood ≥30 days after vaccination, ≥0.5 IU/ml; then wait 3 months from the blood-draw date to travel.
4. Document (depends on origin): from the EU — EU pet passport, a GB Animal Health Certificate (AHC), or a Great Britain pet health certificate. From a “listed” country (USA, Canada, Australia, Japan) — usually a Great Britain pet health certificate. From “not listed” — GB pet health certificate + titer test.
5. Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) — by a vet each entry; window not less than 24 h and not more than 120 h (1–5 days) before arrival; praziquantel. Not required from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, Norway. Cats don’t need it.
6. Breeds — banned types cannot be imported without a Certificate of Exemption: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully (verify the current list on gov.uk).
7. Quarantine — up to 4 months if the rules are not met.
8. Cabin / cargo — pets must travel by an approved route, by air usually as manifested cargo; cabin into GB is generally not allowed (except special conditions for assistance dogs).

Flying

Cats travel in cargo on this route — book an IATA-compliant crate.

FAQ

Can my cat fly in the cabin to United Kingdom?

Cats travel in cargo on this route — book an IATA-compliant crate.

Does my cat need a titer test?

Yes — and the waiting period can be long, so start early.

How many pets can I bring?

Usually up to 5 per traveler.

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