Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
Travelling to Northern Ireland
You鈥檒l need a Northern Ireland pet travel document (PTD) to take your dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) to Northern Ireland.
Your pet must be microchipped. They do not need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment if you have a PTD.
These rules also apply to assistance dogs.
If you live in Northern Ireland, you do not need a PTD for travel to and from Great Britain. Your pet must be microchipped.
If you鈥檙e exporting dogs, cats, or ferrets for commercial purposes, such as a change of ownership, .
Apply for a PTD
You can apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document online.
It鈥檚 free to apply and will last for as long as you own the pet.
When you travel
From 4 June 2025, your pet鈥檚 microchip will be scanned at the port or airport. Officials will check that the microchip number matches the one on your pet鈥檚 PTD.
There are no checks if you are travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
If you鈥檙e travelling by ferry
You must scan your pet鈥檚 microchip at the port before leaving Great Britain using a scanner provided.聽
If there鈥檚 an issue with the microchip, you must go to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Inspection Facility at Belfast or Larne when you arrive in Northern Ireland.
If you鈥檙e travelling by air
You must tell the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at least 10 working days before you travel. Send an email to daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Officials will scan your pet鈥檚 microchip when you arrive in Northern Ireland to check that the microchip number matches the number on your pet鈥檚 PTD.
If you鈥檙e travelling with a guide or assistance dog, check your airline鈥檚 policy and tell them if needed.
Travelling onward
The rules are different depending on where you鈥檙e going. Check what you need to do if you鈥檙e continuing your journey to an EU country or a non-EU country.
If you鈥檙e travelling with more than 5 pets
You cannot take more than 5 pets to Northern Ireland unless you鈥檙e:聽
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attending or training for an event
Attending or training for an event
You鈥檒l need written evidence of registration if you travel for an event, including:
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competitions
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shows
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sporting events
All of your pets must meet any other requirements for pet travel to that country.