PetTravelPass

Bringing a dog or cat from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom

Under the United Kingdom's rules, pets from the United Arab Emirates are in the group “From listed non-EU countries”. A dog from the United Arab Emirates needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.

About the United Kingdom: Pets from the EU and listed countries face no quarantine if microchipped, rabies-vaccinated 21+ days, and dogs are tapeworm-treated 1-5 days before arrival. Pets must use approved routes, and from unlisted countries need a blood test plus a 3-month wait.

From listed non-EU countries Paperwork only

Titer test
Not required
Wait after blood test
—
Import permit
Not required
Quarantine
None if rules are met

No long wait: Wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or last dose of the primary course) before travel.

Step by step

  1. Use an approved route

    Check your airline, ferry or rail route is approved for pet travel into GB (not needed from Ireland or within the UK).

  2. Microchip, then vaccinate

    Microchip before the rabies vaccine, then wait at least 21 full days after the first vaccination before travelling.

  3. Tapeworm treatment for dogs

    A vet must give a praziquantel-based treatment 24-120 hours (1-5 days) before arrival and record product, date, time, stamp and signature. Not needed if travelling directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.

  4. Get a GB pet health certificate

    Signed, stamped and dated by a government-authorised official vet. The pet must enter GB within 10 days of issue.

  5. Complete the pet travel declaration

    Declare you will not sell or transfer ownership. If the pet travels more than 5 days apart from you, or you bring more than 5 pets (not for a show/competition), stricter commercial (Balai) rules apply.

Non-compliant pets may be quarantined for up to 4 months at owner's cost, or refused entry if arriving by sea.

Good to know

Cats
Same as dogs, except cats need no tapeworm treatment. Cats from Australia also need an Australian Department of Agriculture certificate.
Banned breeds
Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully (only with a Certificate of Exemption)
How many pets
Up to 5 pets per person under non-commercial rules; more only for competitions, shows or sporting events, otherwise commercial (Balai) rules apply.
Parasite treatment
Dogs: tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment with praziquantel by a vet 24-120 hours before arrival, every trip; exempt when arriving directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. For trips of 5 days or less the dog can be treated before leaving GB if it returns within 120 h; treat again within 28 days of return. None for cats.
Arrival
Must use an approved route (specific airlines, ferries, rail) unless travelling from Ireland or within the UK. Guide/assistance dogs have their own approved routes list.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom?

The United Arab Emirates counts as "From listed non-EU countries" for the United Kingdom. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or last dose of the primary course) before travel. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.

Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom?

No. Pets from the United Arab Emirates do not need a titer test for the United Kingdom if the other rules are met.

Will my pet be quarantined in the United Kingdom?

Not if every rule is met. Non-compliant pets may be quarantined for up to 4 months at owner's cost, or refused entry if arriving by sea.

Do I need an import permit?

No import permit is needed for pets from the United Arab Emirates.

Are the rules the same for cats?

Same as dogs, except cats need no tapeworm treatment. Cats from Australia also need an Australian Department of Agriculture certificate.

Sources

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: United Kingdom pet import rules.

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