How Long Does It Take To Get a UK Dog Passport? [2023]

Obtaining a dog passport, officially called a ‘Pet Passport’, is a rather straight forward process that should take you between 24 hours and 1 week.

However, it’s important to note that there are specific requirements on timing that vary between different countries and territories.

Furthermore, there are additional rules if you are planning on travelling back to the UK.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that you give yourself at least 1 month to 6 months to prepare. The timings depending on where you are are travelling to.

In order to get your dog passport, your dog will NEED the following:

• • Microchip
  • Rabies vaccination
  • Animal health certificate

These are compulsory and are quick to obtain, but again, there are specific rules on the timing.

Additionally, you may want to take the following into consideration:

• • Rabies Blood Test (essential when returning to the UK from unlisted countries OR visiting certain unlisted countries)
  • Tapeworm Treatment (essential if returning to the UK)

There are also particular rules when it comes to these, and the rabies blood test in particular is very time consuming.

I will walk you through the whole process of getting your dog passport, and the particular time requirements for each stage.

Microchipping

In the UK, in order to get your dog passport, your pooch must MUST have a microchip (“transponder”).

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

You can get your dog microchipped at any vet, or even at a local charity.

Getting your dog’s microchip will take no longer than 15 minutes.

This should be the first step in the process of obtaining a dog passport.

If your dog isn’t microchipped before the next step, their rabies vaccination, then the vaccination will not be valid.

This would mean your dog would have to be vaccinated again, which would take up more of your time.

Rabies Vaccination

Animal Health Certificate

Rabies Blood Test or ‘Rabies Titer Test’

Some countries require that dogs have a rabies blood test, also known as a ‘rabies titer test’.

IF the country does require one, this will be the most time consuming part of getting your dog’s passport, taking at least 3 months.

This is a requirement for many rabies-free or rabies-controlled countries.

Firstly, a blood sample is taken from your dog by your vet.

Next, the vet will send it to one of forty worldwide approved laboratories, which are authorised to conduct the test.

The rabies blood test results must show that your dog’s blood contains at least 0.50 IU/mL of the rabies antibody.

The test results must return between 30 days and 180 days before entering the country – the timing varies depending on which country you are visiting.

For those of you planning on travelling to an EU or listed country, you will not require the rabies blood test.

There are two occasions in which your dog will need to have a rabies blood test.

However, if you are planning on returning to the UK from an unlisted country OR are travelling to certain unlisted countries – it’s highly recommended that you start preparing at least 6 months in advance.

This will allow time for waiting and the possibility of vaccine failure and restarting the process.

Tapeworm Treatment

This isn’t a requirement to get a dog passport, however, it is essential if you are planning on returning to the UK with your dog.

Before re-entering the UK, your dog MUST have been treated against tapeworms within the past 24 hours (1 day) and 120 hours (5 days).

This rule applies no matter where you are returning from.

Unfortunately, over the counter tapeworm treatments don’t count. The treatment must be administered by a vet and officially recorded in your dog’s passport.

It is very important that you adhere to these rules.

If fail to have your dog treated within this time scale, then it may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months.

How much does a Dog Passport Cost?

The cost for a UK ‘dog passport’ can range between £125-£340:

1. 1. Microchipping – £0-20
   2. Rabies Vaccination – £15-60+
   3. Animal Health Certificate – £110 (approximately)
   4. Tapeworm treatment – £20-30
   5. Additional Vaccinations – varies depending on destination country
   6. Rabies Blood Test – £60-120 (compulsory only when traveling from certain countries)
   7. Pet Insurance – £6-230+ (optional)

The price you pay will depend on where you get your dog’s microchip, rabies vaccinations and additional vaccinations. While vet’s will charge for microchips and rabies vaccinations, some charities in the UK will offer this service for free.

Additionally, the cost of your dog’s complete pet passport will depend on your destination country. I say ‘complete’ because a standard British Dog Passport just consists of a microchip and rabies vaccination. However, in order to enter many countries, especially outside the EU, your dog may require additional vaccinations and treatments.

For more detailed information, check How Much Does a Dog Passport Cost in the UK?.

Conclusion

So, although it is possible to obtain your dog passport within 24 hours, it’s highly recommended that you start the process much earlier.

If you are travelling to an EU or listed country, then you will want at least 1 month to prepare.

In some instances you will want to start preparing at least 6 months in advance. This being the case if you’re planning on travelling to certain countries that require a rabies titer test, or if you are returning to the UK from any unlisted country.

Hope this has been helpful.

Happy & safe travels!