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Exit guide

Taking a dog or cat out of Northern Ireland (UK)

Exit rules verifiedChecked 2026-10-12Authority: DAERA Northern Ireland

The steps the authorities in Northern Ireland (UK) require before your pet leaves, mostly the health certificate and who has to sign or endorse it. The destination adds its own requirements on top: pick it below, or make a dated plan.

The steps

  1. Paperwork

    Export health certificate through DAERA's DECS

    Applies when: you do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City or United Kingdom

    For a non-EU destination you usually need an export health certificate (EHC). You apply yourself in the DAERA Export Certification System (DECS), filling in the certificate for your destination and choosing an authorised private vet practice (aPVP), which issues the final certificate. Apply no earlier than 10 days before export; DAERA advises applying at the latest 2 days before.

    Details and the official words

    “An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is usually required if the final destination of the animals is a non-EU country, whether the export is commercial or non-commercial.”

    Pets Exports · Completing an Export Health Certificate (EHC) application for a Third Country i.e. non-EU countries

    “EHC applications for the export of pets to Third Country destinations are made by the pet owner using the DAERA Export Certification system (DECS).”

    Pets Exports · Completing an Export Health Certificate (EHC) application for a Third Country i.e. non-EU countries

    “NOTE: The earliest you can apply is 10 days before the planned date of export. However, we also advise applying at latest 2 days before planned date of export.”

    Pets Exports · Completing an Export Health Certificate (EHC) application for a Third Country i.e. non-EU countries

Good to know

  • No export health certificate is needed to take your pet to Great Britain; dogs over 8 weeks old must be microchipped. Northern Ireland residents need nothing more to come back.When: You travel to United Kingdom
  • Within the EU a valid EU pet passport is all your pet needs. Northern Ireland vets in the pet passport scheme issue them. Two kinds are valid: the newer Northern Ireland passport with the prefix XI at the bottom of each page, and the older relabelled passport with a GB prefix, which is still a legal EU pet passport for Northern Ireland.When: You travel to any EU country
  • Check that an export health certificate exists for your destination on DEFRA's 'Find an export health certificate'; if there is none, email DAERA (Daeratradeexports@daera-ni.gov.uk). Its notes for guidance say whether you also need an import permit or approval from the destination, which you get before applying.When: You do not travel to any EU country, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City or United Kingdom
  • Pets going to Australia need additional stringent steps from you and the certifying vet: see DAERA's page on pet exports to Australia.When: You travel to Australia

Where are you taking your pet?

Routes from Northern Ireland (UK) where we cover both sides.