Pet Transport from Italy to the UK: Post-Brexit Requirements for EU Pets
Thousands of people move from Italy to the UK every year – returning British expats, Italian nationals with UK roots, families moving for work or study. Moving a pet on this route requires understanding both what Italy needs for export and what the UK needs on arrival.
Current Rules: EU Pet Passport Accepted
As of May 2026, Italy-issued EU Pet Passports are accepted for entry into Great Britain. This makes the move simpler than the reverse journey (UK to Italy), where UK-issued passports are no longer valid.
What your pet needs for UK entry from Italy:
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
- Valid EU Pet Passport (Italian-issued)
- Current rabies vaccination (within validity period shown on the data sheet)
- Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) – administered by a vet 1 to 5 days before UK arrival, recorded in the passport
Important Warning: This May Change
The UK government has reserved the right to change the EU Pet Passport acceptance policy. The current arrangement is not guaranteed to continue. Check gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain before every trip.
Getting Italian Pets Ready
If your pet’s rabies vaccination is close to expiry, get a booster from an Italian vet before departure. A lapsed vaccine at the UK border causes real problems. The booster date must be within the validity window shown on the vaccine data sheet in the passport.
Travel Routes
By air:
- ITA Airways, British Airways, and Ryanair fly the main Italian cities (Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples) to UK airports
- For pets travelling in the hold, ITA Airways and British Airways are the better-established options
- Book pet spaces well in advance; availability is limited
By road and Eurotunnel:
- Driving from Italy through France takes a day and a half minimum (Mont Blanc or Frejus tunnel into France, then north to Calais)
- Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone accepts pets in the vehicle
- The same rules apply for UK entry regardless of the route used
Deregistering in Italy
If permanently leaving Italy, deregister your dog from the Italian microchip database (BDN) or your local ASL. This avoids future registration charges. Your Italian vet can help with this.
After Arriving in the UK
APHA inspectors at the approved route entry point will check the passport and tapeworm treatment records. Keep originals accessible. After arrival, update the microchip registration to a UK database (Petlog or similar) with your UK address.
Always verify the latest rules at gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain. This guide is current as of May 2026.