Moving a pet abroad from the UK to Europe in 2026 costs from £220 for a short Eurotunnel route and £850+ for longer door-to-door relocations. Pet moves abroad require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), a valid rabies vaccination, and DEFRA-approved transport. Here's everything you need to plan a stress-free move.
Pet Moves Abroad Costs in 2026
| Route type | Typical cost | What's included |
|---|
| Folkestone to Calais pet taxi | From £220 | UK collection, Eurotunnel crossing, Calais delivery |
| London to Paris relocation | From £850 | Door-to-door, documentation check, comfort stops |
| UK to Spain relocation | £1,200 – £1,800 | Multi-day journey, overnight stops, full AHC support |
| Animal Health Certificate | £90 – £200 | Vet fee for Official Veterinarian-issued AHC |
What Are Pet Moves Abroad?
Pet moves abroad refers to the process of relocating your pet from one country to another – whether you're moving permanently, temporarily, or sending your pet to join you at a new home overseas.
At PetVoyageUK, we specialise in pet moves abroad from UK to Europe, providing a complete door-to-door service that takes the stress out of international pet relocation.
Why Choose Professional Pet Moves Abroad?
Documentation Expertise
International pet moves require specific documentation – Animal Health Certificates, microchip verification, rabies vaccination records, and more. We guide you through every requirement.
Stress-Free Transport
Moving is stressful enough without worrying about your pet. Our pet moves abroad service handles everything, so you can focus on your own relocation.
Door-to-Door Convenience
We collect your pet from your current home and deliver them directly to your new address abroad. No airports, no cargo holds, no complications.
Pet Moves Abroad: UK to Europe
Moving from the UK to Europe with your pet? Here's what you need to know:
Requirements for Pet Moves to EU
- Microchip: ISO 11784/11785 compliant (most UK chips qualify)
- Rabies vaccination: At least 21 days before travel
- Animal Health Certificate: Issued by vet within 10 days of travel
- Tapeworm treatment: Required for dogs returning to UK
Pet Moves Abroad Timeline
| When | What to Do |
|---|
| 4+ weeks before | Check microchip, book rabies vaccine if needed |
| 3 weeks before | Confirm rabies vaccine is valid (21 days before travel) |
| 10 days before | Get Animal Health Certificate from vet |
| 1-5 days before | Tapeworm treatment for dogs (if returning to UK later) |
| Travel day | We collect and transport your pet |
Popular Destinations for Pet Moves Abroad
Pet Moves to France
France is the most popular destination for pet moves abroad from the UK. Whether Paris, Lyon, Nice, or rural France, we deliver door-to-door.
Pet Moves to Spain
Relocating to Spain with your pet? We transport via Eurotunnel through France to destinations across Spain.
Pet Moves to Netherlands
Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague – we cover all Dutch destinations for your pet moves abroad.
Pet Moves to Belgium
Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges – quick and easy pet moves from UK to Belgium.
Pet Moves to Germany
Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt – we transport pets across Germany.
Pet Moves to Italy
Rome, Milan, Florence – longer distance pet moves abroad to Italy available.
The Pet Moves Abroad Process
Step 1: Get a Quote
Contact us with your pickup and delivery addresses. We provide a complete, no-obligation quote for your pet move abroad.
Step 2: Documentation Support
We guide you through all required documentation. We'll tell you exactly what you need and when to get it.
Step 3: Schedule Collection
Choose a collection date that works for you. We offer flexible scheduling to fit your moving plans.
Step 4: Safe Transport
We collect your pet and transport them via Eurotunnel to your European destination. Your pet travels in comfort with regular breaks.
Step 5: Delivery
We deliver your pet directly to your new home abroad. Reunited and ready to start your new life together!
Pet Moves Abroad: Dogs, Cats & Ferrets
Our pet moves abroad service covers:
Dog Moves Abroad
All breeds, all sizes. From Chihuahuas to Great Danes, we transport dogs of every type safely to Europe.
Cat Moves Abroad
Cats travel comfortably in their own carriers. We understand feline needs and ensure a stress-free journey.
Ferret Moves Abroad
Ferrets are welcome too! Same documentation requirements as dogs and cats for EU travel.
Why Choose PetVoyageUK for Pet Moves Abroad?
Experience
We've helped thousands of pets move abroad. We know the process inside out.
DEFRA Approved
We're DEFRA Type 2 authorised – meeting the highest animal welfare standards.
5-Star Service
Our clients consistently rate us 5 stars for our pet moves abroad service.
Complete Support
From first enquiry to final delivery, we support you every step of the way.
Start Your Pet Move Abroad
Ready to move your pet abroad? Contact PetVoyageUK today:
- Phone: +44 7892 807912
- WhatsApp: Quick quotes available
- Online: Use our quote form
Make your pet move abroad simple and stress-free with PetVoyageUK.
The Scope of "Pet Moves Abroad" in 2026
"Moving abroad with a pet" can mean very different things in 2026. The most common scenarios our service supports include: British retirees moving permanently to France, Spain, Italy, or Portugal; corporate relocations to EU institutions or multinational headquarters; military and diplomatic relocations; British families repatriating from European postings; and an increasing share of remote-working professionals choosing European homes.
Documentation Differences for Permanent vs Holiday Moves
For temporary visits up to 4 months, the standard Animal Health Certificate covers entry and re-entry. For permanent moves, additional national-level paperwork applies: dog-tax registration in Belgium, Germany, or the Netherlands; mandatory liability insurance in certain Lander; rabies-titer testing for some non-EU onward destinations; and pet-import declarations for tax-resident purposes in certain countries.
Common Pitfalls in International Pet Moves
- Underestimating destination-country breed restrictions. France, Germany, Spain, and Italy all maintain breed-specific legislation. Confirm before booking.
- Insurance gaps. UK pet insurance typically does not cover permanent overseas residency. Arrange continental cover before arrival.
- AHC validity timing. The 4-month window can complicate multi-stop itineraries; plan ahead.
- Onward non-EU destinations. Pets transiting via the EU to non-EU countries (UAE, Australia, US) need destination-specific certificates additional to the EU AHC.
How much does it cost to move a pet abroad from the UK in 2026?
A short Folkestone-Calais pet move starts from £220. Longer door-to-door relocations such as London to Paris start from £850, and UK to Spain starts around £1,200. The AHC vet paperwork costs £90–£200 separately.