Pet Transport from the United Kingdom to Lithuania
Moving a dog or cat from United Kingdom to Lithuania is very doable with the right preparation. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 2-4 weeks to be comfortable. No routine quarantine applies as long as every requirement …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Kingdom to Lithuania
typically takes around 2-4 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations verified
Written and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The United Kingdom to Lithuania pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip and current rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your UK vet
Check records.
2
Obtain UK AHC in EU listed-country format
Responsible: APHA-authorised UK Official Vet
Valid 10 days from examination.
3
Book Ryanair direct (cabin pet) or cargo via airBaltic/Lufthansa
Responsible: You
Book space as appropriate.
4
Travel to Lithuania
Responsible: You
Present AHC and vaccination records at Vilnius or Kaunas.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Lithuania
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785).
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current vaccination within manufacturer validity.
Rabies titre test
Not required. The United Kingdom is listed under EU Regulation 576/2013. No titre test required.
Quarantine
No quarantine. EU standard entry. Documentation check at entry.
Health certificate
UK Animal Health Certificate in EU listed-country format under EU Regulation 576/2013. Issued by APHA-authorised OV.
Export permit (United Kingdom)
No export permit required from the UK.
Costs
What this route typically costs
UK Animal Health Certificate: approximately GBP 100-200
Airline cabin fee or cargo fee: approximately GBP 50-400 depending on pet size and carrier
IATA-compliant crate if travelling cargo
Critical points to read before you book
Ryanair direct to Vilnius or Kaunas is the simplest routing for small cabin pets. Weight limits are strict - verify before booking.
For larger pets, airBaltic Cargo via Riga is the most practical option.
EU pet passports issued after 1 January 2021 are not valid for UK-to-EU travel.
Tell your OV the destination is Lithuania (EU) to ensure the correct AHC format.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
RYANAIR
Ryanair
Ryanair operates direct UK to Vilnius (VNO) and Kaunas (KUN) routes. Cabin only for very small pets within Ryanair weight limits. No hold pets on Ryanair. The most direct UK-Lithuania option.
Cabin Only Small
WIZZ AIR
Wizz Air
Wizz Air flies UK to Vilnius. Cabin only for very small pets. Strict weight limits apply.
Cabin Only Small
AIRBALTIC
airBaltic
Via Riga (RIX). UK to Riga then Riga to Vilnius. airBaltic Cargo handles larger pets. Short Riga-Vilnius hop is around 45 minutes.
Cabin and Cargo
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA). Lufthansa Cargo handles larger pets to Vilnius.
Cabin and Cargo
FINNAIR
Finnair
Via Helsinki (HEL). Finnair Cargo for larger pets. Short HEL-VNO connection.
Cabin and Cargo
Lithuania entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Lithuania is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.
Getting the details right
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
FAQ
Common questions about United Kingdom to Lithuania pet transport
No. The United Kingdom is a listed third country under EU Regulation 576/2013. No titre test is required. You need a current rabies vaccination, ISO microchip, and a UK Animal Health Certificate in the EU listed-country format.
Ryanair accepts very small pets in the cabin on UK-Vilnius and UK-Kaunas routes. Weight limits are strict (check Ryanair’s current cabin pet policy for maximum weight including carrier). Larger dogs cannot travel on Ryanair and need a cargo option.
Your APHA-authorised Official Vet must issue the AHC in the EU format for listed third countries. Tell them the destination is Lithuania so they issue the correct certificate under EU Regulation 576/2013. This is different from the AHC used for pets entering the UK.
Vilnius International Airport (VNO) is the main international airport and the standard entry point. Kaunas Airport (KUN) is smaller but also has Ryanair connections. For larger cargo pets, Vilnius has better cargo handling facilities.
UK to Lithuania is similar in process to other UK-to-EU listed country routes (Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia). The key documents are the same: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, UK AHC in EU format. Ryanair’s direct UK-Vilnius/Kaunas service makes it particularly accessible for small cabin pets.
Airline guides
Ryanair
Wizz Air
airBaltic
Lufthansa
Finnair
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Get a free, fully itemised quote for your United Kingdom to Lithuania pet move. Our specialists will map out the entire timeline and costs. No surprises.