Pet Transport UK to Germany: Post-Brexit Rules and the Lufthansa Cabin Option
Moving a pet from the UK to Germany requires an Animal Health Certificate, since GB pet passports are no longer valid for EU entry post-Brexit. Germany itself has no import permit or quarantine for documented pets. Two things make this …
The United Kingdom to Germany pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
What your pet needs to enter Germany
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
What this route typically costs
Critical points to read before you book
GB pet passports (issued in Great Britain) are NOT valid for EU entry post-Brexit. UK pets need an Animal Health Certificate for each journey into Germany, even if they have an old GB passport with valid vaccinations.
Germany has dangerous dog (Kampfhunde) legislation that varies by federal state (Bundesland). Breeds such as American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are restricted or banned in many states. Check your destination state's rules.
The AHC is valid for 10 days from issue for EU entry and cannot be reused for a return trip. Each journey from the UK into the EU requires a new AHC.
Lufthansa's cabin allowance is a genuine advantage for small pets, but the pet plus carrier must not exceed 8kg and must fit in an approved under-seat carrier.
Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination, and the 21-day wait must be complete before EU entry.
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
The post-Brexit AHC requirement
Since Brexit, GB-issued pet passports are no longer accepted for EU entry. To take your pet from Great Britain to Germany, you need an Animal Health Certificate issued by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
The AHC covers the same information as the old passport: microchip, rabies vaccination, and health attestation. It is valid for entry into the EU and then for 4 months of onward travel within the EU. It cannot be reused, so each trip from the UK into the EU requires a fresh AHC.
The core animal requirements are unchanged: an ISO microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, and at least 21 days passed since the primary vaccination course.
Lufthansa cabin travel: a real advantage
Unlike most carriers on long-haul routes, Lufthansa allows small dogs and cats to travel in the passenger cabin. The pet plus carrier must weigh no more than 8kg and fit in an approved soft-sided carrier under the seat in front of you.
For owners of small pets, this is a significant advantage. Your pet stays with you throughout the flight rather than travelling in the cargo hold, which reduces stress for the animal and worry for the owner. Lufthansa operates through Frankfurt and Munich, with connections across Germany.
Larger pets that exceed the cabin weight limit travel in Lufthansa’s climate-controlled cargo hold, which is also well-regarded. For those relocating with a vehicle, driving via the Eurotunnel and onward through France is another stress-free option that keeps the pet in the car.
Germany's Kampfhunde breed laws
Germany regulates dangerous dogs (Kampfhunde) through legislation that varies by federal state. Breeds commonly restricted or banned include the American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, though the exact list and the conditions differ between states.
Some states ban certain breeds outright; others permit them subject to temperament testing, muzzle and lead requirements in public, liability insurance, and registration. Before moving a dog of a potentially affected breed, check the rules for your specific destination state (Bundesland), as a breed that is permitted in one state may be restricted in another.
Common questions about United Kingdom to Germany pet transport
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