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. Arrange a booster if needed.
Responsible: Your vet
3
Within 10 days of travel.
Book APHA-authorised official vet to issue the AHC. Confirm they can record the Echinococcus treatment on the certificate.
Responsible: APHA-authorised official vet
4
Between 24 and 120 hours before scheduled arrival in Finland.
Administer Echinococcus tapeworm treatment (praziquantel or approved equivalent) to your dog. The treatment must happen between 24 and 120 hours before your scheduled arrival time in Finland. Calculate this precisely: if your flight arrives in Helsinki at 14:00, treatment must happen between 14:00 on the day before (minus 24 hours) and 14:00 five days before (minus 120 hours). Cats do not need this treatment.
Responsible: Your vet
5
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space with Finnair or British Airways from Heathrow to Helsinki.
Responsible: You
6
Travel day.
Travel to Helsinki. AHC, microchip, and Echinococcus record are checked by Finnish customs on arrival.
Responsible: You and airline
Which Finland 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 Finland, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Finland 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.
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United Kingdom to Finland 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.
Finnair
Finnair operates from London Heathrow (LHR) to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL). Finnair Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo. Direct routing from Heathrow makes this the most straightforward option. No cabin pets on international long-haul routes. Confirm Echinococcus treatment window aligns with scheduled flight arrival time when booking.
Cargo Only
British Airways
British Airways from Heathrow to Helsinki via IAG Cargo. The LHR-HEL route is served by BA and pet cargo can be booked. Confirm availability and crate requirements before booking.
Cargo Only
SAS Cargo
SAS connects via Stockholm (ARN) or Copenhagen (CPH) to Helsinki. SAS Cargo accepts pets. The Scandinavian hub adds a connecting leg but gives alternative scheduling options.
Cargo Only
Costs
What this route typically costs
AHC from APHA-authorised official vet: GBP 150 to GBP 400
Echinococcus tapeworm treatment (dogs only): GBP 20 to GBP 60
Pet cargo (London to Helsinki): GBP 250 to GBP 750
IATA-compliant travel crate: GBP 60 to GBP 250 if needed
Total typical range: GBP 430 to GBP 1,360 (dogs); slightly less for cats
Critical points
The Echinococcus tapeworm treatment window for dogs is strict: between 24 and 120 hours before the scheduled arrival time in Finland. Earlier or later treatments are not compliant. Calculate from your flight's scheduled Helsinki arrival time, not departure time. Missing this window means your dog may be refused entry or held for treatment.
UK pet passports issued in Great Britain are not valid for EU entry. You need an AHC from an APHA-authorised official vet, issued within 10 days of travel.
Cats are not subject to the Echinococcus requirement. The treatment and recording on the AHC applies to dogs only.
Finland has no federal breed ban, but some municipalities may have local restrictions. Check with your local Finnish authority after arrival if your dog is a breed that might face restrictions elsewhere in Europe.
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. Dogs must receive an approved Echinococcus tapeworm treatment (typically praziquantel) between 24 and 120 hours before their scheduled arrival time in Finland. The treatment must be administered by a vet and recorded on the AHC with the product name, dose, date, and time. Cats do not require this treatment. Source: Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), ruokavirasto.fi.
No. UK pet passports issued in Great Britain are not valid for EU entry since January 2021. You need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-authorised official vet within 10 days of travel. The AHC is the document that now covers UK-to-EU pet travel, including to Finland.
No. The Echinococcus tapeworm treatment requirement applies to dogs only. Cats travelling from the UK to Finland need the standard EU requirements: AHC, ISO microchip, and current rabies vaccination.
Count back from your pet’s scheduled arrival time in Finland. 24 hours before arrival is the minimum gap: treatment must happen after this point. 120 hours (5 days) before arrival is the maximum: treatment must happen after this point too. So the window is no earlier than 120 hours before arrival and no later than 24 hours before arrival. Work from the Helsinki arrival time, not the London departure time.
Finnair operates direct from London Heathrow (LHR) to Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL) and accepts pets as manifested cargo via Finnair Cargo. British Airways also flies the LHR-HEL route. SAS connects via Scandinavian hubs. All carry pets as cargo only on these routes.
No routine quarantine, provided the documentation is correct including the Echinococcus treatment record for dogs. Finland follows EU pet travel rules, and the UK is a listed third country. A document and microchip check is conducted on arrival. Pets with complete paperwork are released after inspection.
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Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.