Austria to UK pet transport is uncomplicated for owners with documented pets. Austria is Part 1 listed by UK APHA: no quarantine, no titre test, and no import permit needed. The AHC from an Austrian official vet within 10 days of travel, …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Verify microchip is ISO standard and pre-dates the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
Verify now.
2
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and at least 21 days old
Responsible: Your vet
Allow time to update if needed.
3
Book airline cargo or cabin space
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead.
4
BMSGPK-authorised vet issues AHC
Responsible: Official vet authorised by BMSGPK
Within 10 days of travel.
5
Dogs: tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before UK arrival. Recorded in AHC.
Responsible: Vet
Timed from UK arrival.
6
Travel to Great Britain. AHC inspected at border.
Responsible: Airline/owner
On travel date.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days since primary vaccination before entering Great Britain.
Quarantine
Not required. Austria is a Part 1 listed country under APHA rules.
Import permit
Not required.
Health certificate
AHC issued within 10 days of travel. No titre test required for pets from Austria.
Export permit (Austria)
No formal export permit required for pets leaving Austria.
Costs
What this route typically costs
AHC from authorised Austrian vet: approximately EUR 150-350 (GBP 125-300)
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only): EUR 20-50
Airline cargo Vienna to London: EUR 180-600 depending on size
Travel crate: EUR 60-220
Total typical range: GBP 350 to GBP 1,100
Critical points to read before you book
Austria's breed restrictions are set at the state (Bundesland) level. There is no single national list. Some Austrian states restrict Pit Bull types, Rottweilers, and others. The state where you register your dog may have rules that affect your departure documentation.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs: the 24-120 hour window is measured from UK arrival time. A Vienna to London Heathrow flight is approximately 2.5 hours. Giving the treatment the day before travel is typically within the window.
AHC is valid for 10 days as an entry document, then 4 months for UK domestic travel. It is not reusable for a second trip.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AUSTRIAN
Austrian Airlines
Vienna (VIE) to London Heathrow. Small pets in cabin on some routes. Austrian Airlines Cargo (Lufthansa Group) for larger animals.
Cabin and Cargo
BRITISH
British Airways
Heathrow to Vienna. Cargo service via IAG Cargo.
Cargo Only
EASYJET
easyJet
Vienna to various UK airports. Small pets in cabin only. No cargo pet service.
Cabin Only
Austria's Bundesland breed rules
Austria is a federal state and each of the nine Bundeslaender sets its own breed restrictions. Vienna, Lower Austria, Styria, and others differ on which breeds need special permits, muzzle requirements, or cannot be kept at all. This patchwork means the rules for your specific Austrian state need to be checked, not just a national rule.
For export to Great Britain, Austria’s state-level rules affect what documentation you need to travel out of Austria. When you arrive in Great Britain, UK law (the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) takes over. Great Britain prohibits four types: Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. If you own one of these types, specific legal advice is needed before attempting UK entry.
Vienna to London: cargo options
Vienna Airport (VIE) is well-served by Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and British Airways on the Vienna to London Heathrow route. Austrian Airlines, as part of the Lufthansa Group, has an established pet cargo service.
For small pets, in-cabin travel on some routes is an option. Weight limits and approved carrier dimensions vary by airline, so confirm with your carrier at booking. Large breeds travelling as cargo on this route are typically handled without issues, as it is a well-established route with regular cargo services.
FAQ
Common questions about Austria to United Kingdom pet transport
No. Austria is a Part 1 listed country under APHA rules. No rabies titre test is required for pets from Austria entering Great Britain. You need the AHC, a valid ISO microchip (implanted before the rabies vaccination), and a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days from the primary course). Dogs also need the tapeworm treatment recorded in the AHC.
Austria sets breed restrictions at the state (Bundesland) level, so the rules depend on which Austrian state your dog is registered in. Common restrictions across several states target Pit Bull-type dogs, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Rottweilers, with requirements varying from special permits to muzzle requirements to outright bans. Check with your specific state’s authority (Amt der Landesregierung) for the current rules.
Austrian Airlines and British Airways both offer cargo pet services on the Vienna to London Heathrow route. Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group and uses a consolidated cargo service. For a large dog requiring an IATA-compliant crate, a cargo booking through one of these carriers is the right approach. Contact the airlines directly or use a pet transport agent to coordinate the booking and paperwork.
For dogs entering Great Britain, the treatment must be given between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain (not before you leave Vienna). On a direct Vienna to London flight of about 2.5 hours, a treatment given the day before or the morning of travel will typically fall within the window. The treatment and timing must be recorded in the AHC.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your Austria to United Kingdom pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.