Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Serbia 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 3 more.
Rules checked up to 13 October 2026From 4 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- The United Kingdom puts Serbia in the group “Unlisted country”, which decides part of the rules.
- On this route: rabies blood test needed and tapeworm treatment before arrival.
- No import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
- Coming back to Serbia? 3 steps have to happen before your pet leaves.
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 An official source they rely on has changed since we last verified them, so something here may be out of date.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.
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain · page changed, noticed 13 Oct 2026
Limited official guidance. The authority for leaving Serbia publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. Serbia's Veterinary Directorate publishes its request form for an export certificate for live animals, with notes for pets, and answers on travelling to the EU. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply. Send the request early: the form gives the inspection up to 30 days to decide.
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 Serbia in the group “Unlisted country”. See every group
Official name: Not listed — rabies blood test needed
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Serbia → United Kingdom
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Serbia (leaving) or the United Kingdom (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
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.”
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.”
Blood testSerbia and 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.
Antibody test at the Pasteur Institute, Novi Sad: If your destination asks for a rabies antibody test, Serbia's export form asks for the FAVN test report from the Pasteur Institute in Novi Sad.
“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.”
“Извештај о испитивању на антитела на беснило ФАВН тестом”
“За псе и мачке када то земља увозница захтев”
“Пастеров институт, Нови Сад”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Serbia
Health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old
A veterinary station or practice confirms your pet's health (уверење о здравственом стању). For a pet, this confirmation must be no more than 48 hours old when the veterinary inspection issues the export certificate.
Details and the official words
“Уверење о здравственом стању животиња”
“Документ стар не више од 10 дана, а за кућне љубимце потврда не старија од 48 часова”
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.”
PaperworkSerbia 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
Export certificate from a Serbian veterinary inspector: Send the request for an export certificate for live animals to the Veterinary Directorate's veterinary inspection (also by email to vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs) with the vet's health confirmation, the pet passport, the antibody test report and the import permit if your destination asks for them, and proof that you paid the two administrative taxes (420 + 9,160 = 9,580 dinars, one payment possible). As a pet owner you don't need an approved export establishment or a disinfection certificate for the vehicle. A Serbian veterinary inspector issues the certificate.
The form gives the inspection up to 30 days from the request to decide, and treats a request as incomplete if missing documents aren't sent within 8 days. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply: ask the veterinary inspection, and allow for the 48-hour limit on the vet's health confirmation.
“Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.”
“За некомерцијално кретање кућних љубимаца неопходан је ветеринарски сертификат који издаје надлежни ветеринарски инспектор Републике Србије.”
“ЗАХТЕВ ЗА ИЗДАВАЊЕ СЕРТИФИКАТA ЗА ИЗВОЗ ЖИВИХ ЖИВОТИЊА”
“Не достављају држаоци спортских коња, голубова, паса, мачака, птица кућних љубимаца, зечева и пчела”
“Није потребно за извоз кућних љубимаца”
“Само када је то захтев земље у коју се отпремају животиње”
“vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs”
“Рок за решавање поднетог захтева 30 дана од покретања поступка”
“420,00 РСД”
“Такса се плаћа заједно и за захтев и за издавање сертификата”
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.”
Travel day and arrival
CheckLeaving Serbia
Pet passport (original)
Bring your dog's or cat's original pet passport, issued by a veterinary station, with the request. The microchip and a valid rabies vaccination remain required for travel to the EU.
Details and the official words
“Пасош за животиње”
“За говеда, коње, псе и мачке”
“Животиња мора бити трајно обележена микрочипом који испуњава прописане стандарде.”
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.”
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.
Cats
Get ready
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.”
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.”
Blood testSerbia and 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.
Antibody test at the Pasteur Institute, Novi Sad: If your destination asks for a rabies antibody test, Serbia's export form asks for the FAVN test report from the Pasteur Institute in Novi Sad.
“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.”
“Извештај о испитивању на антитела на беснило ФАВН тестом”
“За псе и мачке када то земља увозница захтев”
“Пастеров институт, Нови Сад”
In the days before you travel
Vet examLeaving Serbia
Health confirmation from your vet, no more than 48 hours old
A veterinary station or practice confirms your pet's health (уверење о здравственом стању). For a pet, this confirmation must be no more than 48 hours old when the veterinary inspection issues the export certificate.
Details and the official words
“Уверење о здравственом стању животиња”
“Документ стар не више од 10 дана, а за кућне љубимце потврда не старија од 48 часова”
PaperworkSerbia 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
Export certificate from a Serbian veterinary inspector: Send the request for an export certificate for live animals to the Veterinary Directorate's veterinary inspection (also by email to vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs) with the vet's health confirmation, the pet passport, the antibody test report and the import permit if your destination asks for them, and proof that you paid the two administrative taxes (420 + 9,160 = 9,580 dinars, one payment possible). As a pet owner you don't need an approved export establishment or a disinfection certificate for the vehicle. A Serbian veterinary inspector issues the certificate.
The form gives the inspection up to 30 days from the request to decide, and treats a request as incomplete if missing documents aren't sent within 8 days. It doesn't say how long before departure to apply: ask the veterinary inspection, and allow for the 48-hour limit on the vet's health confirmation.
“Your pet must enter Great Britain within 10 days of the pet health certificate being issued.”
“За некомерцијално кретање кућних љубимаца неопходан је ветеринарски сертификат који издаје надлежни ветеринарски инспектор Републике Србије.”
“ЗАХТЕВ ЗА ИЗДАВАЊЕ СЕРТИФИКАТA ЗА ИЗВОЗ ЖИВИХ ЖИВОТИЊА”
“Не достављају држаоци спортских коња, голубова, паса, мачака, птица кућних љубимаца, зечева и пчела”
“Није потребно за извоз кућних љубимаца”
“Само када је то захтев земље у коју се отпремају животиње”
“vetinspekcija@minpolj.gov.rs”
“Рок за решавање поднетог захтева 30 дана од покретања поступка”
“420,00 РСД”
“Такса се плаћа заједно и за захтев и за издавање сертификата”
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.”
Travel day and arrival
CheckLeaving Serbia
Pet passport (original)
Bring your dog's or cat's original pet passport, issued by a veterinary station, with the request. The microchip and a valid rabies vaccination remain required for travel to the EU.
Details and the official words
“Пасош за животиње”
“За говеда, коње, псе и мачке”
“Животиња мора бити трајно обележена микрочипом који испуњава прописане стандарде.”
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.”
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.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Serbia publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
Republic administrative tax for the requestLeaving Serbia420 RSD
“Износ издатка 420,00 РСД”
Захтев за издавање сертификата за извоз живих животиња (procedure 16.01.0054, Uprava za veterinu, veterinary inspection; PDF of 13 Aug 2025) · as of 2026-10-13
Republic administrative tax for issuing the veterinary export certificateLeaving Serbia9,160 RSD
“Износ издатка 9160,00 РСД”
Захтев за издавање сертификата за извоз живих животиња (procedure 16.01.0054, Uprava za veterinu, veterinary inspection; PDF of 13 Aug 2025) · as of 2026-10-13
Government fees in total: 9,580 RSD (each currency separately)
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 blood test (titer)Prices 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 Serbia: 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 Serbia
Do before your pet leaves Serbia
- Microchip, before the rabies vaccination
- Rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry
- Unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before
Their timing rules put them before the outbound trip, for a three-month stay.
The trip back asks for 4 steps: microchip, before the rabies vaccination, rabies vaccination at 12 weeks or older, 21 days before entry, unlisted countries: rabies antibody test, 3 months before and serbian model health certificate, valid 10 days.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain
- Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
- Најчешћа питања и одговори – Кретање кућних љубимаца из Републике Србије у Европску унију (Uprava za veterinu, 17 June 2026)
- Захтев за издавање сертификата за извоз живих животиња (procedure 16.01.0054, Uprava za veterinu, veterinary inspection; PDF of 13 Aug 2025)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-13.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Serbia 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 Serbia 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 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
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