Pet Transport from UK to Morocco 2026

Morocco is increasingly popular with UK expats, retirees, and second-home owners. The UK to Morocco pet move is very feasible, but the short five-day health certificate window and the APHA endorsement step require careful timing.

Two ways to travel

Option 1: Fly direct. London to Casablanca (CMN) or Marrakech (RAK) takes three to four hours. Direct flights are available via Royal Air Maroc and some charter services. Pets as hold baggage or cargo is the standard arrangement. In-cabin pets are not widely offered on UK to Morocco routes.

Option 2: Drive via Spain and ferry. Many UK pet owners drive through France and Spain, then take a short ferry crossing from Tarifa or Algeciras to Tangier. This can be an excellent option for dogs that travel poorly by air. The journey through Europe is covered by the AHC, and the same certificate is used at the Moroccan border.

The five-day certificate challenge

Morocco’s requirement that the health certificate be issued within five days of entry is tighter than most countries. If you are flying, this means a vet appointment in the final days before travel, then immediate APHA endorsement. APHA offers a priority service, but standard processing is three to five working days.

Plan backwards from your travel date. If flying on a Friday, your vet examination should be no earlier than the Monday of that week, and APHA endorsement must be fast-tracked.

What to expect on arrival

At Casablanca airport, ONSSA has an inspection facility at the cargo terminal. At the Tangier ferry terminal, ONSSA officers are based at the port. The inspection is usually brief if your documents are correct. Present the endorsed AHC, vaccination record, and microchip details.

After arrival

Register your pet with a local vet and ensure annual boosters are maintained. Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech all have capable vet practices. The expat community in Morocco is well-established and a good resource for local pet service recommendations.

Official sources:

  • ONSSA Morocco: onssa.gov.ma
  • APHA AHC information: GOV.UK/APHA
  • Royal Air Maroc pet policy: royalairmaroc.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The most popular route is by ferry from southern Spain to Morocco, typically Tarifa or Algeciras to Tangier. Pets must remain in the vehicle during crossing. Before reaching Spain, UK pets need an APHA-endorsed AHC. At the Moroccan border, ONSSA officers inspect pets and documentation. Some owners choose to fly directly from London to Casablanca or Marrakech instead.

Your pet needs an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) endorsed by APHA, issued within five days of the Morocco border crossing or arrival date. The certificate must confirm current rabies vaccination, microchip number, and absence of signs of disease. ONSSA requires the AHC to have been endorsed by the official UK authority. Allow at least 10 working days total for vet preparation and APHA endorsement.

Royal Air Maroc operates flights from London Heathrow to Casablanca and accepts pets as hold baggage or cargo on some routes. British Airways and Iberia also operate routes via their hubs. EasyJet and Ryanair do not accept pets in hold. For a direct UK to Morocco pet move, contact the airline’s cargo or excess baggage team well in advance to confirm current policies.

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