How Much Does a Cat Passport Cost in the UK? [2023]

As of 2021, and since Brexit, the UK no longer permits official cat passports. However, we can use this term to describe the documents required to travel to/from the UK with a cat. The requirements for travel abroad with a cat, will vary depending on where you are traveling to and from. 

The cost for a UK ‘cat passport’ can range between £125-£190+:

1. 1. Microchipping – £0-20
   2. Rabies Vaccination – £15-60+
   3. Animal Health Certificate – £110 (approximately)
   4. Additional Vaccinations – varies depending on destination country
   5. Rabies Blood Test – £60-120 (compulsory only when traveling from certain countries)
   6. Pet Insurance – £6-230+ (optional)

I’m sure you want to pay the lower end of the price range, so in this article, we will walk you through all of the costs and how to go about saving some money!

I’ll walk you through all of the costs you will face, and how to go about spending as little as possible!

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What is a cat passport?

Between 2000-2020, cats could get their very own cat passport (officially called a ‘Pet Passport’), under the Pets Travel Scheme, which is also known as ‘PETS’. However, since Brexit, the UK government have scrapped pet passports. Instead, your cat will now just need an animal health certificate, microchip and rabies vaccination, at minimum. Depending on where you are traveling from, you may also require additional parasite treatments, vaccinations and blood tests. 

We can just use the term ‘cat passport’ to refer to all of the documents required to for pet travel. 

Having a ‘cat passport’ allows pet owners to bring their cats abroad with them, without them having to endure a lengthy quarantine period. Most of the time. 

Cat passports include a record of all the vaccinations and treatments that your cat has had, as well as your cat’s name, address, physical traits and breed.

A cat passport basically shows that he/she is fit and healthy to travel with you.

Related post: 13 Airlines That Allow Flying With a Cat In-Cabin [2023 Prices & Policies]

#1 Microchipping

In order to qualify for a cat passport, he/she MUST have a microchip, also known as a “transponder”.

A microchip is a small chip about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted just under your cat’s skin between his/her shoulder blades. Each microchip holds a unique number which can be detected by a microchip scanner.

If your cat is part of the 10% of the population in the UK that already has a microchip, you can skip this section as the cost will be £0 for you.

However, if your cat doesn’t yet have a microchip, we recommend that this is the first step you take.

Your cat must be microchipped BEFORE the next step, getting their rabies injection. If he/she hasn’t got a microchip, then the vaccination may not be valid and your cat would have to get it again.

The cost for a microchip for cats in the UK ranges between £0 – £20.

This cost depends on who you get it administered by.

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a) Through a Veterinary Centre

Prices for a getting your cat microchipped through a private veterinary centre will range somewhere between £9 – £20.

Different practises charge different amounts, but the average is around the £14.50 mark.

As a requirement for a cat passport, he/she only requires a standard microchip.

However, some private veterinary centers offer biotherm microchips. These allow you and your vet to keep an eye on their health by measuring your cat’s body temperature.

Biotherm microchips will cost a little more than a normal microchip, at around £18,

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b) Through a Charity

It is possible to get your cat microchipped free of charge, or for as little as £5!

Only around one in nine cats in the UK are microchipped, which isn’t many at all!

Therefore, in order to encourage cat owners to get their cats microchipped, some charities offer this service for free, or for a discounted price.

For example, in certain areas RSPCA and The Blue Cross offer free microchipping, and often hold mobile events over the country.

The RSPCA Sunderland branch is one of the areas offering this service.

Give your local charity a call to check if they have any events coming up.

Call around to your local vets to find the cheapest price, if you don’t have a local charity that will offer microchipping for free.

COST: £0 – £20

#2 Vaccinations

Rabies Vaccinations

Your cat MUST be up to date on their rabies vaccinations, in order to qualify for a cat passport in the UK. This is compulsory.

Additionally, you must have record that your cat has had their rabies vaccination within the past year.

In some cases your cat must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before your arrival. This is the case if you’re vaccinating your cat against rabies for the first time, and travelling if you are travelling to Europe or a listed non-European country.

A rabies vaccination in the UK costs more than standard cat vaccinations. They can cost you as little as £15 and as much as £60.

How much you pay depends on where you get your cat’s vaccinations.

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a) Through a Veterinary Centre

The cost of a rabies vaccination through a veterinary centre will cost you between £40 – 60, but the average stands at around £51.

Different veterinary centres charge different amounts for rabies vaccinations, so if you want to save a bit of money, shop around a bit before booking them in.

It is possible to spend less on your cat’s vaccination by going through a charity. However, this is only if you meet certain criteria.

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b) Through a Local Charity

It is possible to spend as little as £15 for your cat’s rabies vaccinations.

Local charities such as Blue Cross, RSPCA and PDSA charities offer this price to cat owners who meet certain eligibility criteria.

For example, The Blue Cross offers two initial rabies vaccinations for £15, and booster vaccinations for £18.

This is available to cat owners who can show that they are receiving any of the following:

In addition, if you live in the north of England, you’re in luck!

The Animal Trust, who has clinics in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Shropshire and Yorkshire, offer cat’s rabies vaccinations for even cheaper.

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c) ‘Free’ Cat Vaccinations Through a Health Club

Some veterinary practises offer a health club service in which you pay a monthly fee in exchange for free or discounted vet care.

The service normally includes free vaccinations, flea treatments, worm treatments, as well as free or discounted microchipping.

Pet health club memberships can range between £11.99 – £22.50+, per month.

This cost varies depending on which club you join, and which perks you choose to sign up for.

COST: £15 – £60+

Animal health certificate in 2023 costs £110+

The average price, in 2023 for an animal health certificate is £110, with the price ranging depending on which veterinary clinic you go to. 

Obtaining your cat’s animal health certificate is a straight forward exercise and should take no more than 30 minutes.

You will need to bring the following when meeting with the veterinarian:

• Your cat
• Identity forms
• Vaccination record
• Microchip information

The veterinarian will perform a basic health exam on your cat, review your paperwork and complete your cat’s animal health certificate.

This is a good opportunity to ask the veterinarian about potential additional entry requirements for the country you are visiting. They should be able to administer any additional treatments or vaccines required, as mentioned earlier.

Once you have obtained your animal health certificate, they are valid for 10 days. Therefore, you will need a new animal health certificate each time you wish to travel, and may also need to obtain another one while you are abroad, if you are away for more than 10 days. 

 

#4 Rabies Blood Test / Rabies Titer Test

Your cat will need to have a rabies blood test, if you will be returning to the UK from an unlisted country. Or if you are traveling to another country that requires a rabies titer test. 

This test MUST be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.

Once the veterinarian has taken your cat’s blood sample, they must send it to an approved laboratory. 

The blood rest results must show that the vaccination was successful – i.e. contain at least 0.5 IU/ml of the rabies antibody.

You must wait 3 months from the date of the blood sample, before travelling back to the UK. There is an exception to this rule if your cat had its rabies vaccination and blood test before visiting the unlisted country.

A rabies blood test normally costs between £60 – £75 in the UK.

With that said, some vets can charge up to £120! In order to save some money, have a shop around a little bit before booking it in.

So, although this is not an essential part of obtaining a ‘pet passport’, it is a cost you may need to take into consideration.

Check whether you will be visiting a listed or unlisted country.

#5 Pet Travel Insurance (OPTIONAL)

Pet travel insurance for your cat is not essential, however as veterinary care can be VERY expensive, it is recommended.

On the condition that you already have pet insurance for your cat, call your provider to check if your cat is covered for travelling overseas.

If so, you’re in luck! This will come at no cost to you.

On the other hand, if your policy does not include overseas travel, ask them if it is possible to extend your cover. Most likely, you will need to pay extra.

For those of you who do not have pet insurance, and are considering getting some for your travels, the prices range quite dramatically. It could cost you as little as £4 per month, up to a staggering £50+ per month!

The cost depends on a few factors.

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a) Your chosen provider

Of course, different providers have different costs and offer different deals.

Spend some time checking out different providers to find the best deal for you.

b) Time Limited Policies VS Lifetime Policies

Time limited policies are those that are only valid for a limited amount of time, usually 12 months. Lifetime policies will automatically renew every year.

Generally, lifetime policies are more expensive and can cost 50% MORE than time limited policies.

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c) The breed, size and age of your cat

Generally speaking, pet insurance is more expensive for older cats. Some cats may even refuse to insure cats that are older than 8 or 9 years old.

Additionally, the breed of your cat can alter the price you will have to pay.

Pure-bred cats and specific breeds more prone to ailments will usually cost more than a mixed-breed moggie.

For example – Siamese cats will be more expensive to insure because they’re prone to kidney and respiratory diseases. Additionally, Persian cats, are also more expensive to insure as they are susceptible to blindness.

d) Accident Only VS Accident and Illness

Accident only insurance will be significantly cheaper than pet insurance that covers accident AND illness.

If you have a cat that tends to get sick quite often, you may want to consider getting accident and illness cover. Although the monthly rate is more expensive, it may work out cheaper than pet veterinary fees abroad.

Spend some researching the average vet fees for the location that you are planning on visiting, to see if pet insurance will be worth it for you.

e) Where you and your cat live

Generally, insurance policies will cost less if you live outside of London and the south-east of England.

Living in these areas can increase the cost of your insurance by around £10 per month.

This is because veterinary services tend to cost more within these areas.

You can compare different prices by filling out a form on Money Supermarket.

COST: £4 – £50+

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How long does it take to get a cat passport?

Obtaining a cat passport, officially called a ‘Pet Passport’, is a simple process that should take you somewhere between 1 and 7 days. However we recommend that you allow yourself at least 1 month to 6 months to prepare – the timings depending on where you are travelling to.

It’s vital to note that there are specific requirements on timing that vary depending on your destination country. A number of countries have different rules when it comes to the timings of rabies vaccinations and other additional vaccinations or treatments. Some countries may even require your cat to have a rabies titer test, to ensure there’s enough of the rabies antibody in your cat’s system. A rabies titer test will add at least an extra 3 months to your preparation. I say ‘at least’ because if your cat was to fail the test, he must have another round of rabies vaccinations before taking the test again.