Pet travel from Dubai to United KingdomDocuments & vet certificate
Planning pet travel from Dubai to United Kingdom? This page gives the United Kingdom pet import requirements from the UAE for dogs and cats, the steps, and our prices. Our vets in JVC do the fit to fly certificate (the dog and cat travel certificate), the pet passport and the blood tests, and guide you on the MOCCAE pet export certificate. No import permit and no titre test. Microchip, rabies vaccine (21 days), GB pet health certificate. Dogs: tapeworm treatment.
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United Kingdom pet import requirements from the UAE
The rules for a pet dog or cat that travels from the UAE to United Kingdom, in plain words. When the official rules are not clear, we say so: our vet confirms that point at your first visit.
Import permitNo
No import permit. Your pet must arrive on an approved route (an approved airline or cargo). You sign a declaration that the pet is not for sale. Other rules apply for more than 5 pets, or for a pet that travels more than 5 days before or after you.
MicrochipYes
Yes, before the rabies vaccine.
Rabies vaccineYes
Yes. Wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccine.
Rabies titre test (blood test)No
No. The UAE is a listed country for Great Britain.
Other vaccines, tests and treatmentsYes
Dogs: tapeworm treatment (praziquantel) 24 hours to 5 days before arrival.
QuarantineNo
No, if your pet meets all the rules. If not, quarantine can be up to 4 months.
Dog breedsYes
Banned breeds (for example Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully) can enter only with a Certificate of Exemption. German Shepherds are allowed.
Health certificateYes
Great Britain pet health certificate, signed by an official veterinarian. Your pet must enter Great Britain in the 10 days after it is issued.
Who signs the certificate in the UAE, and which clinic certificate your pet gets: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Step-by-step timeline: Dubai to United Kingdom
- 1
First visit
Our vet scans the microchip and checks the rabies vaccine. If necessary, we put in an ISO microchip first, then give the rabies vaccine.
- 2
21 days after a first rabies vaccine
The earliest travel date after a first vaccine. A booster with no gap needs no wait.
- 3
In the 10 days before arrival
The Great Britain pet health certificate is signed by an official vet. Your pet must enter Great Britain in these 10 days.
- 4
1 to 5 days before arrival (dogs)
Tapeworm treatment (praziquantel) by a vet, recorded on the documents.
- 5
Before you fly
You apply for the MOCCAE export certificate and book an approved airline or cargo route.
Pet relocation Dubai to United Kingdom: what Pet Avenue does
- We check your pet's microchip, vaccines and documents against the rules for United Kingdom.
- A vet examines your pet and issues the clinic health certificate (fit to travel) in the correct time window.
- We guide you on the UAE export certificate. You apply for it yourself on the MOCCAE website.
We do the vet part of your pet's move. Your airline or a pet relocation company books the flight or the cargo.
Dogs and cats: the differences
- Dogs need a tapeworm treatment 24 hours to 5 days before arrival. Cats do not.
- The banned-breed rules apply to dogs only. German Shepherds are allowed.
- All other rules are the same for dogs and cats: microchip, rabies vaccine and the pet health certificate.
Cost estimate: pet travel documents for United Kingdom
Our clinic items only, in AED incl. VAT, for 1, 2 or 3 pets. Fees of the government, the airline and United Kingdom are not included.
| Clinic item | 1 pet | 2 pets | 3 pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-to-travel examination and health certificateThe EU-type certificate document is AED 350 for each pet. Our vet confirms which one your pet needs. | From AED 278 | From AED 556 | From AED 834 |
| Total (incl. VAT) | From AED 278 | From AED 556 | From AED 834 |
| Clinic item | 1 pet | 2 pets | 3 pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit-to-travel examination and health certificateThe EU-type certificate document is AED 350 for each pet. Our vet confirms which one your pet needs. | From AED 278 | From AED 556 | From AED 834 |
| Tapeworm treatmentCat or dog up to 10 kg. Dog 10–20 kg: AED 94.50. Dog 20–40 kg: AED 126. | From AED 78.75 | From AED 157.50 | From AED 236.25 |
| Total (incl. VAT) | From AED 356.75 | From AED 713.50 | From AED 1,070.25 |
Only if necessary
- Microchip (ISO)If your pet has no ISO microchip.
- AED 157.50 per pet
- Rabies vaccineIf the vaccine is not valid for travel. The annual vaccine package (consultation, rabies and core vaccine) is AED 255.
- Our vet tells you the price
- New pet passportIf your pet has no passport.
- AED 100 per pet
Not included in our prices
- The MOCCAE export certificate fee: AED 100 for up to 2 pets, valid 30 days. You apply and pay on the MOCCAE website. We guide you.
- Airline, cargo and pet relocation costs.
- The import permit and the fees of the destination country.
- Quarantine costs in the destination country, if quarantine applies.
Earliest travel
A few days, if the rabies vaccine is valid. 21 days after a first rabies vaccine.
The rabies titre test result takes about 2 to 3 weeks. The UAE export certificate from MOCCAE is valid 30 days.
Airline and cargo notes
- Your pet must arrive on an approved route: an approved airline or cargo. Ask your airline if it is approved for pets to Great Britain.
- If your pet travels more than 5 days before or after you, other rules apply.
- Each airline has its own rules: cabin, checked baggage or cargo, the crate size and the breeds that it accepts. Ask your airline before you book.
- In the UAE summer (about May to September), many airlines limit pets in the hold because of the heat. Plan early.
- Check the rules of each transit country too. A transit can change the documents that your pet needs.
Common mistakes
- The rabies vaccine was given before the microchip. Then the vaccine does not count, and your pet needs a new vaccine and a new 21-day wait.
- The dog tapeworm treatment is too early or too late. It must be 24 hours to 5 days before arrival.
- The flight is booked before the 21-day wait is over.
- The MOCCAE export certificate is applied for too late. It is valid 30 days: apply in time for your flight.
- The flight is booked before the permit, the titre result or the waiting time is complete.
Questions: pet travel to United Kingdom
Does my dog or cat need a rabies titre test to fly from Dubai to United Kingdom?
No. The UAE is a listed country for Great Britain.
Do I need an import permit to take my pet from the UAE to United Kingdom?
No import permit. Your pet must arrive on an approved route (an approved airline or cargo). You sign a declaration that the pet is not for sale. Other rules apply for more than 5 pets, or for a pet that travels more than 5 days before or after you.
Does my pet go into quarantine in United Kingdom?
No, if your pet meets all the rules. If not, quarantine can be up to 4 months.
Which health certificate does my pet need for United Kingdom?
Great Britain pet health certificate, signed by an official veterinarian. Your pet must enter Great Britain in the 10 days after it is issued. Who signs the certificate in the UAE, and which clinic certificate your pet gets: our vet confirms this at your first visit.
Are some dog breeds banned or restricted in United Kingdom?
Yes. Banned breeds (for example Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully) can enter only with a Certificate of Exemption. German Shepherds are allowed.
How early should I start to prepare my pet for United Kingdom?
A few days, if the rabies vaccine is valid. 21 days after a first rabies vaccine.
How much do the vet documents for United Kingdom cost at Pet Avenue?
Our clinic items are From AED 278 for 1 cat and From AED 356.75 for 1 dog, incl. VAT. A microchip (AED 157.50), a rabies vaccine or a pet passport (AED 100) are added only if your pet does not have them. Not included: the MOCCAE fee, the airline or cargo cost, the import permit and fees of United Kingdom, and quarantine.
Who applies for the MOCCAE pet export certificate for United Kingdom?
You do. At this time, you apply on the MOCCAE website and pay the government fee: AED 100 for up to 2 pets, valid 30 days. MOCCAE can inspect your pet. We give you the clinic documents and guide you.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Bring your pet to Great Britain(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Rabies blood tests(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Great Britain pet health certificate(opens in a new tab)
- Regulation 577/2013, Annex II (listed countries)(opens in a new tab)
- MOCCAE: Animal health certificate for export of live animals(opens in a new tab)
Last checked 27 Oct 2026. Rules can change; our vet confirms everything at your first visit.
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Pet travel to United Kingdom?
Send us your travel date, your pet's type, breed and age. Our vet checks the rules and gives you a plan.