Travelling to Northern Ireland with Your Pet – New Rules from June 2025

From 4th June 2025, pet owners in Great Britain will need a pet travel document to take their furry friends to Northern Ireland. But don’t worry—it’s free to apply, and once issued, it’s valid for your pet’s lifetime!

What You Need to Know:

• You can apply from April 2025 through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

• Each pet needs its own travel document.

• Your pet’s microchip number and owner details must be up to date before travelling.

• Take a digital or printed copy of your pet travel document, including a declaration that you won’t travel onward to Ireland or the EU.

Travelling to the Republic of Ireland?

If you plan to continue from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland, your pet will still require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). The new pet travel document does not replace this requirement, so make sure you have the correct paperwork in place before travelling!

Plan Ahead!

• Pet travel documents are usually processed within 5 working days.

• Applications are handled Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm—so apply well in advance!

Important Restrictions

This scheme is for personal pet travel only.

You cannot use it if you’re:

• Selling or rehoming pets.

• Travelling with more than five pets per owner (please see APHA website for some exemptions to this).

This new system is designed to make pet travel more simple so you and your pet can enjoy hassle-free trips between Great Britain and Northern Ireland!