Moving your pet from Lithuania to United Kingdom?
Lithuania is a UK Part 1 listed country, which makes this one of the simpler international pet transport routes. No titre test, no 3-month wait, no quarantine for compliant pets.
You need a current rabies vaccination, ISO microchip, EU Animal Health Certificate (or EU pet passport issued before January 2021), and tapeworm treatment for dogs. Ryanair flies direct from Vilnius and Kaunas to multiple UK airports and accepts very small cabin pets. For larger animals, cargo routing via Lufthansa or airBaltic works well.
Lithuania has a large community in the UK and this is a well-travelled route. The main administrative step most owners miss is the EU pet passport post-Brexit rule: if your passport was issued after 31 December 2020, it is not valid for UK entry.
Get a free quoteWhat does moving a pet on this route actually involve?
The Lithuania–United Kingdom route requires quarantine on arrival, so planning well ahead matters. In plain terms, this is a low route, meaning the requirements are relatively straightforward compared to many international moves.
Most owners start the process around 2-4 weeks before the flight date. That window is not arbitrary — it accounts for vaccination waiting periods, titre test processing, and document endorsement.
How long does the whole process take?
Here is how the preparation unfolds from start to travel day:
What should I expect to pay?
Costs vary considerably depending on your pet's size, the airline, and whether you use a pet relocation agent. The main factors to price up are:
- EU Animal Health Certificate from official Lithuanian vet (approximately EUR 60-120)
- Airline cabin fee or cargo fee Vilnius/Kaunas to London
- Tapeworm treatment fee (dogs)
- IATA-compliant crate if travelling as cargo
What paperwork does United Kingdom require for my pet?
Microchip: Required (ISO 11784/11785).
Rabies vaccination: Required and current. No titre test required from Lithuania.
Titre test: Not required. Lithuania is a listed Part 1 country for UK pet travel.
Health certificate: EU Animal Health Certificate (valid 10 days) or valid EU pet passport.
Quarantine: No quarantine if documentation is in order.
What do I need to arrange before leaving Lithuania?
Export permit: No export permit required from Lithuania. An EU Animal Health Certificate from an official Lithuanian vet, or a valid EU pet passport (issued before 1 January 2021), is required for UK entry.
Export health certificate: EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an official Lithuanian vet within 10 days of travel, or valid EU pet passport issued before 1 January 2021.
Which airlines can my pet travel on?
Several airlines serve routes between Lithuania and United Kingdom, each with different policies on pets in cabin versus cargo hold:
Ryanair flies from Vilnius (VNO) and Kaunas (KUN) to London Stansted and other UK airports. Cabin only for very small pets within Ryanair's carrier weight limits. Direct connection makes this convenient if your pet qualifies by size.
Via Frankfurt (FRA). Vilnius to Frankfurt then Frankfurt to London. Cabin pets possible on Frankfurt-London leg. Lufthansa Cargo for larger pets travelling as cargo. More routing steps but reliable for larger animals.
Via Riga (RIX). Vilnius or Kaunas to Riga then Riga to London. airBaltic allows small cabin pets on Baltic-UK routes. Cargo for larger pets.
Cabin only for very small pets. Wizz Air flies from Vilnius and Kaunas to various UK airports. Very tight weight limits - verify before booking.
Via Helsinki (HEL). Vilnius to Helsinki then Helsinki to London. Cabin pets on shorter European legs. Finnair Cargo for larger pets.
What are the most common mistakes on this route?
The post-Brexit pet passport rule most Lithuanian owners get wrong
This is the most common mistake on the Lithuania-UK route. EU pet passports issued before 1 January 2021 are valid for UK entry. Passports issued on or after 1 January 2021 are not valid. The date on the first page of the passport is what matters.
If your pet’s EU passport is from 2021 or later, you need an EU Animal Health Certificate from an official Lithuanian vet. The AHC is valid for 10 days from the examination date. It is issued for a single trip.
If you are travelling with your pet multiple times a year, you will need a new AHC each time. This is the main ongoing cost of pet travel between Lithuania and the UK since Brexit.
Travelling with a larger dog from Lithuania to London
For dogs over the cabin weight limit (typically 8kg including carrier), cargo is the option. Lufthansa via Frankfurt handles cargo pets reliably, and the Frankfurt connection allows some flexibility on schedule.
Alternatively, airBaltic cargo via Riga works well and Riga is close to Vilnius by road or air. For very large breeds, cargo via Lufthansa or Finnair is often the best combination of reliability and schedule frequency.
Book cargo space 4-6 weeks in advance. Cargo space for live animals is limited and fills during peak travel periods (summer and Christmas).
Other questions owners ask about this route
Does my pet need a titre test to travel from Lithuania to the UK?
My pet's EU passport was issued in 2022. Can I still use it for UK travel?
Can I take my dog on Ryanair from Lithuania to the UK?
My dog weighs 20kg. How do I get it from Vilnius to London?
How much does it cost to transport a pet from Lithuania to the UK?
Which similar routes might be relevant?
What should I do next?
The best first step is a free consultation. You'll get a clear picture of the timeline, the costs, and exactly which documents apply to your pet's breed, age, and vaccination history.
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