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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Morocco 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 An official source they rely on has changed since we last verified them, so something here may be out of date.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 Morocco publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Morocco's food safety office (ONSSA) publishes the health certificate model agreed with each destination, as scanned documents, and its fee list, but no guide for pet owners: it doesn't say how far ahead to apply, what to bring or how long it takes. It asks you to contact the veterinary service where you live. Do that well before you travel, and follow your destination's rules for the vaccinations and tests.

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
  • Tapeworm treatment before arrival

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

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

Part of this route is still under review, so we don’t say what it doesn’t need.

Which rules apply to you

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

Official name: Not listed — rabies blood test needed

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

Morocco → United Kingdom

What your pet needs

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

Dogs

Taking a dog or cat out of Morocco (ONSSA): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  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. PaperworkMorocco 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.

      Details and the official words

      ONSSA export health certificate (150 dirhams): An ONSSA official vet issues your pet's health certificate on the model agreed with your destination (ONSSA lists them by destination country). Ask the veterinary service where you live how and when to apply. The fee for a veterinary health certificate for exporting live animals is 150 dirhams per certificate.

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

      “Contrôle à l’exportation des animaux de compagnie (Chiens, Chats et Furets)”

      “Certificat sanitaire vétérinaire à l’exportation des animaux vivants et des produits de multiplication animale”

      “(à l'exception des chevaux)”

      “Je soussigné, vétérinaire officiel certifie que les animaux désignés ci-dessus et examinés ce jour”

      “Ont été examinés au cours des 48 dernières heures, ont été trouvés en bon état de santé et n’ont présenté aucun signe clinique de maladies contagieuses propres à l’espèce”

      “Ont été correctement vaccinés contre la rage par un vaccin inactivé (ci-joint l’attestation de vaccination contre la rage)”

    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.
  • For any question about taking your pet abroad, ONSSA asks you to contact its veterinary service where you live; the export page links a list of these services with their addresses and phone numbers. ONSSA publishes no lead time, so ask them early.

Cats

Taking a dog or cat out of Morocco (ONSSA): we summarised this from a short or older official page and it is still under review, so it may be incomplete.

  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. PaperworkMorocco 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.

      Details and the official words

      ONSSA export health certificate (150 dirhams): An ONSSA official vet issues your pet's health certificate on the model agreed with your destination (ONSSA lists them by destination country). Ask the veterinary service where you live how and when to apply. The fee for a veterinary health certificate for exporting live animals is 150 dirhams per certificate.

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

      “Contrôle à l’exportation des animaux de compagnie (Chiens, Chats et Furets)”

      “Certificat sanitaire vétérinaire à l’exportation des animaux vivants et des produits de multiplication animale”

      “(à l'exception des chevaux)”

      “Je soussigné, vétérinaire officiel certifie que les animaux désignés ci-dessus et examinés ce jour”

      “Ont été examinés au cours des 48 dernières heures, ont été trouvés en bon état de santé et n’ont présenté aucun signe clinique de maladies contagieuses propres à l’espèce”

      “Ont été correctement vaccinés contre la rage par un vaccin inactivé (ci-joint l’attestation de vaccination contre la rage)”

    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.
  • For any question about taking your pet abroad, ONSSA asks you to contact its veterinary service where you live; the export page links a list of these services with their addresses and phone numbers. ONSSA publishes no lead time, so ask them early.

Money

What it costs

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

Government fees on this route

Government fees in total: 150 MAD (each currency separately)

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

No published prices yet for Morocco: 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 Morocco

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

The trip back asks for 6 steps: microchip or tattoo before the rabies vaccination, 6 months in a rabies-free country or area (ask ONSSA), rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) and rabies blood test, if your pet stays less than 12 months and more.

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

The trip back asks for 6 steps: microchip or tattoo before the rabies vaccination, 6 months in a rabies-free country or area (ask ONSSA), rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) and rabies blood test, if your pet stays less than 12 months and more.

Every step from the United Kingdom to Morocco

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 Morocco 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?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

Will my dog or cat be quarantined in the United Kingdom?

We couldn't find this in our summary of the rules, but that summary is short and still under review. Ask the official authority before you rely on it.

How early should I start preparing my pet for Morocco 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