Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Ecuador to Northern Ireland (UK): the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait and 4 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 6 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- Northern Ireland (UK) puts Ecuador in the group “Unlisted country”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed, tapeworm treatment before arrival, official stamp on the certificate and arrive at a set entry point.
- No import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait (3 calendar months after the blood test)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait (3 calendar months after the blood test)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Tapeworm treatment before arrival
- Official stamp on the certificate
- Arrive at a set entry point
How early to start (cats)
about 4 months
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait (3 calendar months after the blood test)
about 3 months
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait (3 calendar months after the blood test)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- Rabies blood test needed
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Official stamp on the certificate
- Arrive at a set entry point
Which rules apply to you
Northern Ireland (UK) puts Ecuador in the group “Unlisted country”. See every group
Official name: Not listed — rabies antibody titration test needed
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Rule change for pets travelling from Ecuador to Northern Ireland (UK)
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Ecuador → Northern Ireland (UK)
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Ecuador (leaving) or Northern Ireland (UK) (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped (or, for travel under the EU rules, tattooed before 3 July 2011 with a legible number). Under the EU rules the chip is implanted or read before the rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“Prior to the rabies vaccination, the pet animal (dog, cat, or ferret) must be marked by the implantation of a microchip.”
“You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards.”
“Your pet must be microchipped. They do not need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment if you have a PTD.”
VaccinationEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Rabies vaccination
An authorised vet vaccinates your pet against rabies when it is at least 12 weeks old, after the microchip. Wait at least 21 days after the first vaccination before travelling (30 if the vaccine's datasheet says so); a booster given before the previous vaccination expires needs no wait.
Details and the official words
“the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,”
“This must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given.”
“(This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),”
Blood testEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait
From a country that isn't listed (Category 3), a blood sample is taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and must show the vaccination worked. Your pet then waits 3 calendar months before travelling (not needed if it was vaccinated, tested and given a pet passport in the EU or Northern Ireland before it left).
Details and the official words
“a blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and the blood test must show the vaccination was successful. (the date of the vaccination counts as day zero not day 1)”
“to wait 3 calendar months after the blood test shows the vaccination was successful before travelling.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
TreatmentEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
A vet treats your dog against tapeworm between 120 and 24 hours before it enters Northern Ireland, and records it. Not needed coming directly from Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway, or from Great Britain with a pet travel document.
Details and the official words
The window is in hours: check the treatment time against your arrival time.
“Tapeworm treatment must be administered not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before scheduled entry into the territory.”
“However please note when travelling between NI and the ROI tapeworm treatment is not required.”
“Dogs moving directly between any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620, (Finland, Ireland, Malta, and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) or Norway are exempted from the treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis”
PaperworkEcuador and Northern Ireland (UK)
Animal health certificate
An official vet in the country you travel from issues an animal health certificate. It is valid for 10 days from issue for entering Northern Ireland, then for 6 months of onward travel within the EU (after the endorsement on arrival).
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU)”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Travel day and arrival
RouteEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Enter through a travellers' point of entry
From a Part 2 listed or unlisted country, enter Northern Ireland through a travellers' point of entry: Belfast or Larne port, or Belfast International, Belfast City or City of Derry airport. Contact it before you arrive.
Details and the official words
“to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers Point of Entry”
“Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport can be contacted at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk .”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some casesEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Flying in: tell DAERA in advance
Only if you arrive by air: email DAERA (daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk) before you travel: at least 10 working days ahead from Great Britain, at least 10 days ahead from elsewhere.
Details and the official words
“You must tell the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at least 10 working days before you travel.”
“If you will be arriving into Northern Ireland via air, you must contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of travel to pre-notify your arrival.”
Good to know
- The wait after a first rabies vaccination is at least 21 days, but if the vaccine's datasheet says immunity only starts on day 30, you wait 30 days. Your vet records the date the vaccination is valid from.
- Arriving on an animal health certificate and travelling on to Ireland or another EU country? Report to the travellers' point of entry when you arrive so DAERA officials endorse the certificate. Without the endorsement it isn't valid for onward travel.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Cats
Get ready
IdentificationEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped (or, for travel under the EU rules, tattooed before 3 July 2011 with a legible number). Under the EU rules the chip is implanted or read before the rabies vaccination. If the chip isn't ISO standard, bring your own reader.
Details and the official words
“Prior to the rabies vaccination, the pet animal (dog, cat, or ferret) must be marked by the implantation of a microchip.”
“You must bring your own microchip reader when you travel if your pet’s microchip does not meet ISO standards.”
“Your pet must be microchipped. They do not need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment if you have a PTD.”
VaccinationEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Rabies vaccination
An authorised vet vaccinates your pet against rabies when it is at least 12 weeks old, after the microchip. Wait at least 21 days after the first vaccination before travelling (30 if the vaccine's datasheet says so); a booster given before the previous vaccination expires needs no wait.
Details and the official words
“the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine is administered,”
“This must be at least 21 days after the primary vaccination is given.”
“(This wait does not apply to an annual or 3 yearly booster vaccination, provided the booster is administered before the original vaccination expires),”
Blood testEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait
From a country that isn't listed (Category 3), a blood sample is taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and must show the vaccination worked. Your pet then waits 3 calendar months before travelling (not needed if it was vaccinated, tested and given a pet passport in the EU or Northern Ireland before it left).
Details and the official words
“a blood test taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and the blood test must show the vaccination was successful. (the date of the vaccination counts as day zero not day 1)”
“to wait 3 calendar months after the blood test shows the vaccination was successful before travelling.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Ecuador
Health check by a vet registered with Agrocalidad (valid 10 days)
A vet registered with Agrocalidad examines your pet and enters the health certification online in Agrocalidad's GUIA system, checking your destination's requirements. The health certification is valid for 10 days. The vet attaches the original vaccination card (vaccines and dates, microchip date, sterilisation if any, internal and external parasite treatments) and any extra document your destination asks for.
Details and the official words
“La certificación de salud animal tendrá una vigencia de 10 días, la información de la inspección clínica será ingresada en línea mediante el Sistema GUIA habilitado para cada médico veterinario registrado ante la Agencia, donde deberá cumplir las exigencias sanitarias establecidas por el país destino.”
“El Médico Veterinario Registrado ante AGROCALIDAD deberá adjuntar los siguientes requisitos en el sistema GUIA y aquellos adicionales que establezca el país de destino en formato PDF.”
“Carnet de vacunas original, debe incluir las fechas y vacunas aplicadas, fecha de aplicación del microchip y esterilización (si corresponde), así como, las fechas de las desparasitaciones internas y externas.”
PaperworkEcuador and Northern Ireland (UK)
Animal health certificate
An official vet in the country you travel from issues an animal health certificate. It is valid for 10 days from issue for entering Northern Ireland, then for 6 months of onward travel within the EU (after the endorsement on arrival).
Details and the official words
Agrocalidad export health certificate: Once the request is approved, you collect the paper certificate at the Agrocalidad office or exit border post your vet chose. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“Animal Health Certificate (valid for 10 days from date of issue for entry into an EU Member State (including NI) and for 6 months onward travel within the EU)”
“Una vez aprobada su solicitud podrá retirar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación, de forma física en la oficina de la Agencia o punto fronterizo de salida que seleccionó en la solicitud.”
Official stampLeaving Ecuador
Your vet requests Agrocalidad's export health certificate, at least 72 hours before the trip
Your registered vet sends the request for the export health certificate in GUIA at least 72 hours before the trip and chooses the Agrocalidad office (or exit border post) where you collect the paper certificate, giving the request number. It costs USD 28.90 per animal, debited from the vet's GUIA account: settle it with your vet.
Details and the official words
“Para poder solicitar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de animales de compañía convencionales el Médico veterinario registrado, deberá enviar la solicitud 72 horas previas al viaje y seleccionar la oficina de AGROCALIDAD más cercana para retirar el documento en físico.”
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Travel day and arrival
RouteEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Enter through a travellers' point of entry
From a Part 2 listed or unlisted country, enter Northern Ireland through a travellers' point of entry: Belfast or Larne port, or Belfast International, Belfast City or City of Derry airport. Contact it before you arrive.
Details and the official words
“to enter EU (including NI) through a Travellers Point of Entry”
“Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport can be contacted at daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk .”
Only in some cases
Notice · only in some casesEntering Northern Ireland (UK)
Flying in: tell DAERA in advance
Only if you arrive by air: email DAERA (daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk) before you travel: at least 10 working days ahead from Great Britain, at least 10 days ahead from elsewhere.
Details and the official words
“You must tell the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) at least 10 working days before you travel.”
“If you will be arriving into Northern Ireland via air, you must contact daeratradeimports@daera-ni.gov.uk at least 10 days in advance of your intended date of travel to pre-notify your arrival.”
Good to know
- The wait after a first rabies vaccination is at least 21 days, but if the vaccine's datasheet says immunity only starts on day 30, you wait 30 days. Your vet records the date the vaccination is valid from.
- Arriving on an animal health certificate and travelling on to Ireland or another EU country? Report to the travellers' point of entry when you arrive so DAERA officials endorse the certificate. Without the endorsement it isn't valid for onward travel.
- Before you apply, check your destination's entry requirements and your airline's rules, and the rules of any country your pet transits. If your destination isn't covered by Agrocalidad's list, contact certificacion.zoosanitaria@agrocalidad.gob.ec (02 3828860, ext. 2012 or 2013).
- Your pet doesn't need a clinical inspection at Agrocalidad before leaving (the registered vet records it online), but Agrocalidad carries out random inspections before boarding.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Ecuador publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
Agrocalidad export health certificate (per animal)Leaving Ecuador · 28.90 USD for each extra pet28.90 USD
“Recordar que el valor del Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido por la Agencia es de $28,90 dólares por animal”
Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad) · as of 2026-10-12
Government fees in total: 28.90 USD (each currency separately)
May also apply, depending on your case
Northern Ireland Pet Travel DocumentEntering Northern Ireland (UK)Free
Lasts as long as you own the pet.
“It’s free to apply and will last as long as you own the pet.”
Apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document · as of 2026-10-13
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Rabies blood test: the lab’s own pricean approved laboratory; your vet adds the blood draw and the courier · for: rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month waitPrices from 8 countries
Austria: 1 published price
- AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), Institute for Veterinary Investigations Mödling: Lab price for the rabies antibody titre test for pets (EU-recognised lab), samples sent from EU countries, 20% VAT included; transport to the lab paid by the sender97.26 EUR · per sample · read 2026-10-13
France: 2 published prices
- Laboratoire départemental de la Haute-Garonne (LD31 EVA): Lab price for the FAVN (WOAH/OMSA method) rabies antibody test, VAT included, price guaranteed until 31/12/2026 (from the lab's order form)99 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Inovalys (laboratory): Lab price only: rabies antibody titration (COFRAC accredited), ordered online by the owner; the page says the blood sample is taken by your vet and sending it to the lab is the owner's responsibility (no amounts given for those)99.18 EUR · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats for pet travel (test code TC0712), single sample, excluding VAT72.30 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for dogs and cats, extended method (test code TC0570), single sample, excluding VAT106 GBP · per test · read 2026-10-13
Japan: 1 published price
- Research Institute for Animal Science in Biochemistry and Toxicology (RIAS, 一般財団法人生物科学安全研究所): Lab fee only: rabies antibody test at RIAS (a MAFF-designated lab), tax included, paid in advance by bank transfer; vet's blood draw and shipping not included15,000 JPY · per sample · read 2026-10-13
Poland: 1 published price
- National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet-PIB), Puławy: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test, standard service (max 21 calendar days), electronic report only, gross (VAT included)280 PLN · per test · read 2026-10-13
Sweden: 1 published price
- Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA): Lab price for the FAVN rabies vaccination-check antibody test (article D142410), excluding VAT (exkl. moms)1,365 SEK · per test · read 2026-10-13
the United States: 1 published price
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Lab price for the FAVN rabies antibody test for pet travel/export (University of Missouri VMDL One Health-Rabies Laboratory); shipping not stated79 USD · per test · read 2026-10-13
South Africa: 1 published price
- Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR): Lab price for the rabies neutralization (antibody) test per clear serum sample, VAT included; the price list does not name FAVN or RFFIT (ARC-Onderstepoort diagnostic price list, PDF created May 2026)2,030 ZAR · per clear serum sample · read 2026-10-13
No published prices yet for Ecuador: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate (vet’s fee), parasite treatment, vet examination.
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Ecuador
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (dogs).
The trip back asks for 7 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Ecuador (cats).
The trip back asks for 7 steps: older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip, vet examination within 10 days before the trip, internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding and rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Travelling with Pets
- Great Britain to Northern Ireland Pet Travel Guidance
- Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
- Apply for a Northern Ireland pet travel document
- Travelling with a pet within the EU
- Salida del Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Ecuador to Northern Ireland (UK)?
Yes: From a country that isn't listed (Category 3), a blood sample is taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and must show the vaccination worked.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Northern Ireland (UK)?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Northern Ireland (UK)?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Ecuador to Northern Ireland (UK)?
With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait and 4 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
Read next
Turn this into dates for your pet
Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.