The Kennel Club is urging pet owners in Great Britain to check updated pet travel rules before travelling to Northern Ireland.
The reminder follows the introduction of a new Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD) and recent news that pet passports are set to return for owners in Great Britain, although no implementation date has yet been confirmed.
As of 4 June 2025, those living in Great Britain must obtain a PTD before travelling to Northern Ireland with their dog. This includes assistance dogs. The PTD is free and remains valid for as long as the owner keeps the dog, with the only requirement being that the dog is microchipped. For Northern Ireland residents, no PTD is required, and microchipping remains the only condition for travel in either direction.
The new PTD replaces the need for an Animal Health Certificate, which had to be obtained for each trip to Northern Ireland.
“The new Northern Ireland pet travel document for taking a dog from Great Britain into Northern Ireland is a significant improvement”
The Kennel Club’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr Ed Hayes, said, “We have continued to push for changes to ease the process of travelling with dogs, between both Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as to and from the EU, so we are really pleased to see the Government making progress in reducing the post-Brexit red tape to travel with their dogs.
“The new Northern Ireland pet travel document for taking a dog from Great Britain into Northern Ireland is a significant improvement on the initially agreed post-Brexit requirement to obtain an expensive Animal Health Certificate for each journey to Northern Ireland.
“However, dog owners should be aware that there are still complexities within the rules to be aware of, and a date has yet to be set for when pet passports will return, so they should carefully check the rules in force before travel.”
Commercial pet travel continues to follow separate guidelines.
