Pet Transport Romania to UK: What You Need in 2026

Shipping a dog or cat from Romania to United Kingdom rewards owners who start planning early. Around 3-5 weeks should do it, as this is an easier route to plan. No routine quarantine applies as long …

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3-5

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

None

Quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Lead time needed

3-5 weeks

Quarantine

None

Route complexity

Low

Airlines

4 carriers on this route

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In short: Preparing to move a pet from Romania to United Kingdom typically takes around 3-5 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. A rabies titre test is not required.

Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.

Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant

Step by step

The Romania to United Kingdom import process

Before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

ISO microchip implanted (if not already done).

Responsible: Your vet in Romania

At least 21 days before travel (for a first vaccination or restart of course).

Rabies vaccination administered.

Responsible: Your vet in Romania

24-120 hours before arrival time in GB.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs administered by a vet, timed to 24-120 hours before arrival in GB.

Responsible: ANSVSA-authorised vet in Romania

Within 10 days of travel.

AHC issued by ANSVSA-authorised official vet.

Responsible: ANSVSA-authorised official vet

Travel day.

Travel via approved route (OTP-LHR or OTP-LGW direct, or via approved hub).

Responsible: You

Requirements

United Kingdom entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. At least 21 days must have passed since the first or only vaccination in the course before travel. A valid booster with no break in cover has no waiting period. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Rabies titre test

Not required. Romania is an EU-listed country, so the titre test requirement does not apply. Source: GOV.UK approved countries list, 2026.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for pets arriving with correct documentation via an approved route. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months applies if documentation is incorrect or the pet arrives on an unapproved route. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Import permit

No import permit required. The AHC or EU pet passport serves as the travel document. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Health certificate

AHC (Animal Health Certificate) issued in Romania by an ANSVSA-authorised official vet, or a valid EU pet passport issued before 1 January 2021. The AHC is valid for 10 days from issue for entry into Great Britain. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Leaving Romania

Export requirements

Export permit

No formal export permit required for companion animals. The AHC or valid EU pet passport is the key export document. Source: ANSVSA, 2026.

Health certificate

Animal Health Certificate issued by an ANSVSA-authorised official veterinarian. The AHC replaces the EU pet passport for non-commercial movements into Great Britain. Issued within 10 days of travel. Source: ANSVSA (ansvsa.ro), 2026.

Costs

What this route typically costs

AHC appointment and certificate with official vet: RON 200-500 (approx. GBP 40-100)

Tapeworm treatment at vet: RON 60-150 (approx. GBP 12-30)

Cargo fees OTP to LHR: GBP 400-1,200 depending on crate size and carrier

IATA-compliant crate: GBP 60-250 if needed

Agent fees (optional but useful): GBP 150-350

Total typical range: GBP 660-1,930

Critical points

No airline will carry your pet in the cabin into Great Britain. GOV.UK is explicit: pets have to travel as cargo on a plane, and the only exceptions are a chartered private plane or a recognised guide or assistance dog. Airlines that offer cabin travel elsewhere cannot offer it on a flight into the UK, so book manifest cargo on an approved route. Source: GOV.UK, bring-pet-to-great-britain, read 2026-09-02.

The tapeworm timing window is strict. Treatment more than 120 hours before arrival or less than 24 hours before arrival does not comply. The vet must record the exact date and time in the AHC.

GB-issued pet passports are not valid for EU travel. But a Romanian-issued EU pet passport (issued when Romania joined the EU, prior to 2021) is still valid for GB entry on the existing document, provided all vaccinations are current and correctly recorded.

Romania's Pit Bull Terrier and similar types are subject to restriction. The UK also bans Pit Bull Terrier type dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Confirm your breed is not listed before booking.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
TAROM	TAROM operates direct flights from Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP) to London Heathrow (LHR). Pets can be transported as cargo or excess baggage depending on size. Confirm current pet cargo availability with TAROM before booking.	Cargo Only
British Airways	British Airways World Cargo handles pet transport between Bucharest and London. Cargo pets travel in the temperature-controlled hold. Book through an approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any BA route.	Cargo Only
KLM / Air France	Via Amsterdam (AMS) or Paris (CDG) hubs. KLM Cargo and Air France Cargo both accept pets and have reliable OTP connections through their European hub airports.	Cargo Only
Wizz Air	Cabin travel is not available into Great Britain: GOV.UK requires pets to fly as cargo, whatever the airline offers on its other routes. Cargo pets are not accepted on Wizz Air. Cabin travel is not an option on a flight into Great Britain, and Wizz Air carries no cargo pets, so it cannot take your pet on this route.	Cargo

Meeting United Kingdom's entry requirements

Bringing a pet into United Kingdom is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.

Advice worth following

Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Romania is an EU-listed country for UK pet travel purposes, which means the titre test requirement does not apply. You need a microchip, a current rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait after the first dose, and an AHC from an ANSVSA-authorised official vet. Source: GOV.UK approved countries list, 2026.

No. Pets cannot enter Great Britain in the cabin on any airline. Those carriers do offer cabin travel on their other routes, which is where the confusion comes from, but a pet flying into Britain travels as manifest cargo. British Airways World Cargo both handle cargo pets on OTP-LHR routes. Confirm current pet cargo policies with your chosen carrier before booking.

Allow at least 3-4 weeks. The main variable is the 21-day rabies vaccination wait (if your pet is not already vaccinated). The AHC can be issued within 10 days of travel, and the tapeworm treatment must be timed within 24-120 hours of arrival. If your pet’s vaccinations are current, the preparation time is mostly about booking the AHC appointment and arranging cargo space.

Airline guides

TAROM
British Airways
KLM / Air France
Wizz Air

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations