Prepared by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Start of planning.
Confirm microchip is ISO-compliant and was implanted before the first rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Your vet
2
Several weeks before travel.
Check rabies vaccination is current and the primary course was completed at least 21 days before travel. Schedule a booster if needed.
Responsible: Your vet
3
Within 10 days of travel.
Book an APHA-authorised official veterinarian to issue the AHC.
Responsible: APHA-authorised official vet
4
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space with Austrian Airlines or British Airways from Heathrow to Vienna.
Responsible: You
5
Travel day.
Travel to Vienna. AHC and microchip are checked by Austrian border control on arrival.
Responsible: You and airline
Which Austria rules depend on a pet coming from the United Kingdom?
The EU sorts non-EU countries into groups, and the United Kingdom falls in “Listed third countries and territories, Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636”.
No rabies antibody titration test needed. Animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination still required; entry through a travellers' point of entry with documentary and identity checks. Montenegro and Serbia were added by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1228. The EUR-Lex text of 2026/636 lists the USA as including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Official source
The rules that apply to every pet entering Austria, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Austria guide.
What does the United Kingdom require before your pet leaves?
We are still checking the export rules of the United Kingdom against official government pages, so they are not shown here yet.
"
We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United Kingdom to Austria move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines operates from London Heathrow (LHR) to Vienna International Airport (VIE). Austrian Airlines Cargo (part of the Lufthansa Cargo network) accepts pets as manifested cargo. No cabin pet options on international routes. Direct routing makes this the most straightforward option from the UK to Vienna.
Cargo Only
British Airways
British Airways operates from Heathrow to Vienna. IAG Cargo handles pet shipments. Confirm availability and crate size acceptance before booking.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
Via Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) to Vienna. Lufthansa Cargo has an established pet transport network. The hub connection adds transit time but gives more scheduling flexibility.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
AHC from APHA-authorised official vet: GBP 150 to GBP 400
Pet cargo (London to Vienna): GBP 200 to GBP 700
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 60 to GBP 250 if needed
Total typical range: GBP 410 to GBP 1,350
Critical points
UK pet passports issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) are not valid for EU entry. You need an AHC from an APHA-authorised official vet, issued within 10 days of travel. Northern Ireland has different rules due to the Windsor Framework.
Austrian Airlines and British Airways both operate the LHR-VIE route with cargo facilities. Direct routing from Heathrow is the cleanest option for this move.
FAQ
Common questions
No. UK pet passports issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) are not valid for EU entry since January 2021. You need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-authorised official veterinarian within 10 days of travel. Northern Ireland has different rules under the Windsor Framework. Source: UK government, gov.uk/taking-pet-abroad.
No. Austria applies EU regulations, and the UK is listed as an approved third country. Personal pets from the UK do not need a titre test to enter Austria. You need the AHC, a current ISO microchip, and a valid rabies vaccination with the primary course completed at least 21 days before travel.
Austrian Airlines (part of the Lufthansa Group) operates from London Heathrow to Vienna and accepts pets as manifested cargo via Austrian Airlines Cargo. British Airways also flies LHR-VIE and handles cargo through IAG Cargo. Both require advance cargo booking and IATA-compliant crates.
No routine quarantine applies to dogs and cats from the UK arriving in Austria with correct documentation. Austria follows standard EU import rules. The inspection on arrival is a document and microchip check, not the start of a quarantine period.
APHA stands for Animal and Plant Health Agency, the UK government body responsible for animal health. Only vets with official veterinarian status authorised by APHA can issue AHCs for international travel. The APHA website (gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency) and the UK government pet travel pages list how to find an authorised vet in your area.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Austria.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.