Rules of Travel to Countries Outside the EU

Listed (Non EU) Countries/Territories 

Any pets travelling to/from these countries must: 

• be microchipped 
  
• be vaccinated against rabies 
  
• Obtain an official third country veterinary certificate - rules applicable to the country you are travelling to can be very detailed and timing is a crucial factor. Get this underway ASAP!

      
NB: Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland can also issue Pet Passports.

Unlisted (Non EU) Third Countries

It is your responsibility to find out about any requirements for entry into the destination country as these will vary widely.   

As a guide I have compiled a list of requirements for re-entering the UK. Please check this information with DEFRA to ensure it is applicable for your intended time of travel.

In order to return to the UK a cat must: 

• be microchipped 
  
• be vaccinated against rabies 
  
• have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination [NB this differs from the pre-2012 rules which required the blood sample to be taken at an interval stipulated by the vaccine manufacturer…  now it must be 30 days, regardless of the vaccine used] 

• Pass the blood test (titre level equal/greater than 0.5 IU/ml) 
  
• Wait three calendar months* from the date the blood sample was taken (ie the sample that led to a satisfactory test result). The three month waiting period will not apply if your cat was vaccinated and blood tested in the EU and issued with an EU Pet Passport before it went to an unlisted country.
  
• Obtain an official third country veterinary certificate confirming all above details (or a Pet Passport before it leaves the UK?) 
  

* A calendar month means the period of time elapsing between a given date and the corresponding date of the next month. For example - if the blood test was taken on the 1st of August, the cat could enter the UK after the 1st of November (subject to the other criteria all being met).


Please refer to the DEFRA website and the relevant agency in the country you are travelling to for all up-to-the-minute information as I cannot be held responsible for any future changes in these requirements.