Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Northern Ireland (UK) to Ecuador: the rules
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before), dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and vet examination within 10 days before the trip and 3 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 5 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel and official stamp on the certificate.
- No rabies blood test, import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
- Coming back to Northern Ireland (UK)? 3 steps have to happen before your pet leaves.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
2 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Apply for the export health certificate in DAERA's DECS (apply no earlier than 10 days before export; 'at latest 2 days before' is DAERA's advice)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Official stamp on the certificate
How early to start (cats)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
2 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Apply for the export health certificate in DAERA's DECS (apply no earlier than 10 days before export; 'at latest 2 days before' is DAERA's advice)
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Official stamp on the certificate
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Northern Ireland (UK) → Ecuador
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Northern Ireland (UK) (leaving) or Ecuador (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your dog's vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Enfermedad de carré (Distemper)”
“Parvovirosis”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkNorthern Ireland (UK) and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
Export health certificate from your authorised private vet practice: The authorised private vet practice (aPVP) you chose in DECS issues the final certificate. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“You will also be asked to select your chosen authorised private veterinary practice (aPVP) from a drop down menu within the application, who will be responsible for issuing the final EHC”
Official stampLeaving Northern Ireland (UK)
Apply for the export health certificate in DAERA's DECS
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). 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.”
“EHC applications for the export of pets to Third Country destinations are made by the pet owner using the DAERA Export Certification system (DECS).”
“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.”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- 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.
Cats
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Cats: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your cat's vaccinations against feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Panleucopenia felina”
“Rinotraqueitis viral felina”
“Calicivirus felino”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkNorthern Ireland (UK) and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
Export health certificate from your authorised private vet practice: The authorised private vet practice (aPVP) you chose in DECS issues the final certificate. Its dates follow the destination's rules for the certificate.
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“You will also be asked to select your chosen authorised private veterinary practice (aPVP) from a drop down menu within the application, who will be responsible for issuing the final EHC”
Official stampLeaving Northern Ireland (UK)
Apply for the export health certificate in DAERA's DECS
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). 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.”
“EHC applications for the export of pets to Third Country destinations are made by the pet owner using the DAERA Export Certification system (DECS).”
“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.”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- 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.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Northern Ireland (UK) 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
Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within 10 days before the trip45–63 GBP
the United Kingdom: 4 published prices
- Highfields Vets (Derby): Vet consultation (prices from 20 October 2025)45 GBP · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- Donaldsons Vets: Vet consultation (prices stated as correct as of January 2026)53.20 GBP · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- The Animal Health Centre (Shrewsbury): Standard vet consultation (15 to 30 minutes)55 GBP · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- Langford Vet Practice: Vet clinic consultation for dogs, cats or rabbits63 GBP · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
Parasite treatmentyour vet · for: internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding5–30 GBP
the United Kingdom: 2 published prices
- The Travelling Vet for Travelling Pets (Kirin): Tapeworm treatment given during certificate completion (on top of the certificate price)5–25 GBP · per dog, weight dependent · read 2026-10-13
- Export Vets (Bodmin, Cornwall): Tapeworm treatment appointment with an Official Veterinarian (the same price table lists the tapeworm tablet itself as 'POA')30 GBP · per appointment · read 2026-10-13
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)62.50–140 GBP
the United Kingdom: 4 published prices
- Station House Vets: Rabies vaccination62.50 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
- The Animal Health Centre (Shrewsbury): Rabies vaccination including a health check consultation and a rabies vaccination certificate for AHC use79.50 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
- Petersfield Integrated Vets (Integrated Veterinary Medicine): Rabies vaccination (price list dated 10 September 2026)112 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
- Bay Vet Group: Rabies vaccination for overseas travel (price list last updated 1/5/2026)140 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
Other vaccinationsyour vet · for: dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival53.97–58 GBP
the United Kingdom: 4 published prices
- Donaldsons Vets: Dog annual booster vaccination (prices stated as correct as of January 2026)53.97 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
- Two Rivers Veterinary Practice: Dog booster vaccination54 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
- The Animal Health Centre (Shrewsbury): Dog annual booster vaccination, one injection, including a health check consultation54.50 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
- Station House Vets: Full health check and annual booster vaccination for a dog, cat or rabbit58 GBP · per pet · read 2026-10-13
Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival99–315 GBP
the United Kingdom: 8 published prices
- Export Vets (Bodmin, Cornwall): Animal Health Certificate for one pet (two pets £149; urgent AHC within 2 working days £180)99 GBP · 1 pet · read 2026-10-13
- Two Rivers Veterinary Practice: Animal Health Certificate for the EU (additional pet £48.00)156 GBP · per certificate · read 2026-10-13
- The Travelling Vet for Travelling Pets (Kirin): Animal Health Certificate for EU travel with one telephone advice consult and one home visit (mobile vet); £40 per additional animal on the same AHC180 GBP · first animal (additional animals £40, up to 4) · read 2026-10-13
- Donaldsons Vets: Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for a registered client; additional pet supplement £68.11; non-registered clients £262.63186.92 GBP · per certificate (registered client) · read 2026-10-13
- Station House Vets: Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for a single pet (multiple-pet prices on request)195 GBP · single pet · read 2026-10-13
- The Animal Health Centre (Shrewsbury): Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for the first pet, including a travel consultation; £115 for each additional pet215 GBP · first pet (additional pet £115) · read 2026-10-13
- Station House Vets: Export Health Certificate (EHC) for travel outside the EU; the page says the price varies by destination country315 GBP · per certificate · read 2026-10-13
- Langford Vet Practice: Issuing an Animal Health Certificate315 GBP · per certificate · read 2026-10-13
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
If you need them Not official figures
Travel cratea pet shop or the airline73.99 GBP
- Pets Corner: Ferplast Atlas 30 pet carrier (plastic travel carrier; the page says it meets IATA international standards for air travel; no dimensions or pet weight given on the page)73.99 GBP · read 2026-10-13
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Northern Ireland (UK)
Do before your pet leaves Northern Ireland (UK) (dogs)
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination
- Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 8 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait and animal health certificate and more.
Do before your pet leaves Northern Ireland (UK) (cats)
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination
- Rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 7 steps: microchip, rabies vaccination, rabies antibody blood test, then a 3-month wait and animal health certificate and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Ingreso al Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
- Requisitos zoosanitarios para la importación de animales de compañía (Agrocalidad, March 2026)
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos: trámites (gob.ec)
- Pets Exports
- Travelling with Pets
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 Northern Ireland (UK) to Ecuador?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into Ecuador?
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 Ecuador?
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 Northern Ireland (UK) to Ecuador?
With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before), dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and vet examination within 10 days before the trip and 3 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.