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Pawhopper

Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Israel to the United Kingdom: 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 blood test (titer) and 2 more.

Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 5 official pages

In short

We’re re-checking these rules. An official source they rely on has changed since we last verified them, so something here may be out of date. Before you book or travel, confirm the details with the official authority.

Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Israel publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Israel's Veterinary Services publish the export procedure on a gov.il service page (last updated June 2025), read from a stored copy because gov.il blocks automated readers. It says that the international health certificate must be signed by the Veterinary Services before your pet leaves and that your private vet applies online through the 'Ye'ela' system. The page's details by destination (the US; Canada, the EU and some other countries; all other countries) load only by script, and no stored copy of them exists, so we don't know how long before departure to apply, where the certificate is signed, or the fee. Ask your vet or the Veterinary Services' import-export unit (03-9688986) before you plan the dates.

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

about 4 months

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)

about 3 months

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)

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

How early to start (cats)

about 4 months

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)

about 3 months

if it is already microchipped and vaccinated

Set by: Rabies blood test (titer) (3 months after the blood sample)

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

Which rules apply to you

The United Kingdom puts Israel in the group “Unlisted country”. See every group

Official name: Not listed — rabies blood test needed

Prefer a feed reader? Israel rule changes · United Kingdom rule changes

Israel → United Kingdom

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Israel (leaving) or the United Kingdom (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering the United Kingdom

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination. An ISO 11784/11785 chip can be read at the border; otherwise bring your own reader.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: The rabies vaccination doesn't count and must be given again.

      “You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination.”

    2. VaccinationEntering the United Kingdom

      Rabies vaccination

      Vaccinate against rabies (pet at least 12 weeks old). After a first (primary) vaccination you must wait at least 21 full days before arriving; no wait after a booster if the cover never lapsed.

      Details and the official words

      Some vaccines take longer to work (e.g. 30 days) — your vet will tell you.

      “Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.”

      “You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given.”

    3. Blood testEntering the United Kingdom

      Rabies blood test (titer)

      Your vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sends it to an EU-approved lab. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. You must then wait 3 months from the sample date before travelling.

      Details and the official words

      The test stays valid as long as the rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.

      We count '3 months' as the longest possible 3 calendar months, so the date we show is always safe.

      “Your pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.”

      “You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. TreatmentEntering the United Kingdom

      Tapeworm treatment (dogs)

      A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm (praziquantel) and record it. It must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.

      Details and the official words

      The window is in hours: check the treatment time against your arrival time. If your journey is delayed past 120 hours, your dog needs a new treatment.

      If this is missed: Your dog can be refused entry or put into quarantine.

      “no less than 24 hours before you enter Great Britain”

      “You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re coming directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.”

    2. PaperworkIsrael and the United Kingdom

      Great Britain pet health certificate

      Get a Great Britain pet health certificate signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian in the country you travel from. Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of it being issued.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Health certificate signed by Israel's Veterinary Services: Before your pet leaves Israel, its international health certificate must be signed by Israel's Veterinary Services. Your private vet fills in and signs the certificate your destination asks for and submits it online in the Veterinary Services' 'Ye'ela' system; a government veterinarian then signs it. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.

      The service page's details by destination and the list of offices that sign pet export certificates didn't load from the stored copy. Ask your vet how far ahead to submit the request and where the certificate is signed.

      “Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.”

      “שירות זה מספק מידע לאזרחים ולווטרינרים על הנפקת תעודות בריאות בינלאומיות שיש להחתים לפני שמוציאים חיות מחמד לחו"ל.”

      “הגשת בקשה מקוונת לווטרינרים במערכת "יעלה" - יצוא חיות מחמד”

      “יום החתימה הקובע הוא יום החתימה על ידי הרופא הווטרינר הפרטי”

    3. PaperworkEntering the United Kingdom

      Non-commercial declaration

      Sign a declaration that you won't sell or transfer ownership of your pet.

      Details and the official words

      “You also need to fill in a declaration if you’re not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. RouteEntering the United Kingdom

      Use an approved travel route

      Book an airline, ferry or rail route that is approved for pet travel into Great Britain.

      Details and the official words

      “Check your route is approved for pet travel.”

    2. On arrivalEntering the United Kingdom

      Checks on arrival

      Your pet's microchip and documents are checked on arrival. Pets arriving from outside the EU must be taken through customs (an agent or the airline usually does this).

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea — at your expense.

      “When you arrive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), your pet’s microchip and documents will be checked.”

Good to know

  • Some dog breeds are banned in Great Britain and can only enter with a valid Certificate of Exemption.
  • By plane, pets must travel as cargo into Great Britain unless you fly a chartered private plane or travel with a recognised assistance dog.
  • Until further notice, the Veterinary Services offer no pet-export service at Ashdod port: signed health certificates can't be sent to or collected at Ashdod through the Ye'ela system, and certificates aren't signed by hand there.
  • If your destination needs a rabies blood test, an Israeli vet takes the sample, fills in the Veterinary Institute's online form (with the exact sampling date and the microchip number), pays in the ministry's online shop and delivers the printed form and the sample to the Veterinary Institute's reception. The result is emailed to the vet and to you; the cost depends on the number of tests.
  • Planning to come back to Israel soon? If no more than 30 days have passed since your private vet signed the export health certificate, Israel accepts that certificate, signed by an Israeli government vet, for the return trip instead of a certificate from the country you're coming from (for a dog, also bring its valid dog licence).

Cats

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering the United Kingdom

      Microchip

      Your pet must be microchipped on or before the day of its rabies vaccination. An ISO 11784/11785 chip can be read at the border; otherwise bring your own reader.

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: The rabies vaccination doesn't count and must be given again.

      “You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination.”

    2. VaccinationEntering the United Kingdom

      Rabies vaccination

      Vaccinate against rabies (pet at least 12 weeks old). After a first (primary) vaccination you must wait at least 21 full days before arriving; no wait after a booster if the cover never lapsed.

      Details and the official words

      Some vaccines take longer to work (e.g. 30 days) — your vet will tell you.

      “Your vet needs proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them.”

      “You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given.”

    3. Blood testEntering the United Kingdom

      Rabies blood test (titer)

      Your vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sends it to an EU-approved lab. The result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. You must then wait 3 months from the sample date before travelling.

      Details and the official words

      The test stays valid as long as the rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.

      We count '3 months' as the longest possible 3 calendar months, so the date we show is always safe.

      “Your pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.”

      “You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. PaperworkIsrael and the United Kingdom

      Great Britain pet health certificate

      Get a Great Britain pet health certificate signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian in the country you travel from. Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of it being issued.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Health certificate signed by Israel's Veterinary Services: Before your pet leaves Israel, its international health certificate must be signed by Israel's Veterinary Services. Your private vet fills in and signs the certificate your destination asks for and submits it online in the Veterinary Services' 'Ye'ela' system; a government veterinarian then signs it. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.

      The service page's details by destination and the list of offices that sign pet export certificates didn't load from the stored copy. Ask your vet how far ahead to submit the request and where the certificate is signed.

      “Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.”

      “שירות זה מספק מידע לאזרחים ולווטרינרים על הנפקת תעודות בריאות בינלאומיות שיש להחתים לפני שמוציאים חיות מחמד לחו"ל.”

      “הגשת בקשה מקוונת לווטרינרים במערכת "יעלה" - יצוא חיות מחמד”

      “יום החתימה הקובע הוא יום החתימה על ידי הרופא הווטרינר הפרטי”

    2. PaperworkEntering the United Kingdom

      Non-commercial declaration

      Sign a declaration that you won't sell or transfer ownership of your pet.

      Details and the official words

      “You also need to fill in a declaration if you’re not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. RouteEntering the United Kingdom

      Use an approved travel route

      Book an airline, ferry or rail route that is approved for pet travel into Great Britain.

      Details and the official words

      “Check your route is approved for pet travel.”

    2. On arrivalEntering the United Kingdom

      Checks on arrival

      Your pet's microchip and documents are checked on arrival. Pets arriving from outside the EU must be taken through customs (an agent or the airline usually does this).

      Details and the official words

      If this is missed: Your pet could be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you travelled by sea — at your expense.

      “When you arrive in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), your pet’s microchip and documents will be checked.”

Good to know

  • By plane, pets must travel as cargo into Great Britain unless you fly a chartered private plane or travel with a recognised assistance dog.
  • Until further notice, the Veterinary Services offer no pet-export service at Ashdod port: signed health certificates can't be sent to or collected at Ashdod through the Ye'ela system, and certificates aren't signed by hand there.
  • If your destination needs a rabies blood test, an Israeli vet takes the sample, fills in the Veterinary Institute's online form (with the exact sampling date and the microchip number), pays in the ministry's online shop and delivers the printed form and the sample to the Veterinary Institute's reception. The result is emailed to the vet and to you; the cost depends on the number of tests.
  • Planning to come back to Israel soon? If no more than 30 days have passed since your private vet signed the export health certificate, Israel accepts that certificate, signed by an Israeli government vet, for the return trip instead of a certificate from the country you're coming from (for a dog, also bring its valid dog licence).

Money

What it costs

Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Israel publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.

Government fees on this route

No government fee is published on the official pages we use for this trip. That doesn’t always mean it’s free: ask the authority.

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

No published prices yet for Israel: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate (vet’s fee), parasite treatment.

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 Israel

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Israel (dogs).

The trip back asks for 9 steps: arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat, at least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries), ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination and rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival and more.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Israel (cats).

The trip back asks for 9 steps: arrive at Ben Gurion Airport or the ports of Haifa, Ashdod or Eilat, at least 4 months old on arrival (3 months from rabies-free countries), ISO microchip (134.2 kHz), before the rabies vaccination and rabies vaccination from 3 months old, at least 30 days before arrival and more.

Every step from the United Kingdom to Israel

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Israel to the United Kingdom?

Yes: Your vet takes a blood sample at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and sends it to an EU-approved lab.

Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into the United Kingdom?

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 the United Kingdom?

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 Israel to the United Kingdom?

With nothing done yet, start at least about 4 months ahead for a dog. The main steps: microchip, rabies vaccination and rabies blood test (titer) and 2 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.

Make a dated plan