At a glance
Your travel insurance policy won't cover your pet, but lifetime pet insurance policies may include travel cover.
Cover can include vet fees and cancellation – it won’t cover pre-existing conditions.
You’ll need an animal health certificate (AHC) to take your pet to an EU country.
Make sure you plan carefully before taking your pet abroad with you.
Do I need travel insurance for my pet?
It’s not compulsory to have insurance for your pet when taking them abroad, but it can be very useful if your pet gets ill or is injured while you’re on your overseas trip.
You can’t typically get standalone travel insurance that covers your pet abroad, but many pet insurance policies include travel – or you might be able to add it on at an extra cost.
Not every pet insurance policy offers travel overseas as part of its cover, so you’ll need to check policies to see if this is included when you compare.
Start a quote for pet insurance now Compare travel insuranceWhat pet cover can I get?
Pet insurance policies may cover:
Vet fees if your cat or dog is injured or becomes unwell while you’re away
Holiday cancellation if you have to cancel or cut short your trip because your pet has died or needs urgent treatment
Increased costs of bringing your injured or ill pet home
Loss of your pet’s travel documents
Quarantine costs, which can help pay for your pet to be looked after in kennels if they’re unable to travel because of illness – but you’ll need to have followed all local rules and regulations to be able to claim.
What won’t pet policies cover?
Pet policies vary, but they won’t cover:
Claims made by owners who have travelled against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.
Check any policy carefully before you buy to make sure it covers the needs of you and your pet.
Also check that your pet is covered for the length of your trip and in the destination(s) you’re travelling to. Some policies will only cover travel in the EU, while others offer worldwide cover.
What affects the cost of pet insurance?
Pet travel insurance is typically included in lifetime policies, which offer higher levels of cover and tend to be more expensive.
When calculating the cost of pet insurance, providers typically take several factors into account including:
Your pet’s age
Your pet’s breed and whether it’s a pedigree dog or pedigree cat, as these can be prone to hereditary illnesses
Where you live
The type of cover you want – lifetime pet insurance is usually the most expensive
The amount you’re willing to pay towards a claim (the excess).
What about animal health certificates?
If you’re taking your dog or cat from England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to an EU country, you’ll need an animal health certificate (AHC).
This contains details about your pet, including microchip information and proof of rabies vaccination, as well as proof of tapeworm treatment, if applicable.
You can get an AHC from an official veterinarian authorised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Ask your vet practice if they can provide a certificate to tell you where you can get one.
There’s no set price for an AHC. They’re typically around £100-£250 but can cost far more and you may need to add on the costs of microchipping, vaccinations and treatments.
A certificate can only be issued 10 days before travel, so make sure you have an appointment booked in. Also book vaccinations in plenty of time.
Can I use a pet passport?
You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland.
You can still use one that was issued in an EU country. And you may be able to use one issued in Northern Ireland. Check with your vet.
What do I need to take my pet outside the EU or Northern Ireland?
If you’re going to a non-EU country, you’ll need an Export Health Certificate (EHC). You’ll also need to fill out an Export Application Form (EXA) if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales.
Make sure you check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements in plenty of time.
What do I need to consider before travelling with my pet?
Travelling with your pet needs careful planning.
As well as insurance, you’ll need to think about how you’ll get to and from your destination, the documents you need, whether your accommodation allows pets and your pet’s welfare abroad.
Although flying might be the fastest option, some animal rights charities advise against travelling with your pet by plane. So, investigate all your options for travel, for example, by ferry or Eurotunnel if you’re travelling to Europe.
If you’re considering a cruise, be aware that most pets aren’t allowed on board, other than assistance dogs, although there are specific cruises where you can take a pet.
Before planning your trip, make sure you’ve fully considered your animal’s welfare – for example, how it will cope with travelling, the climate in your destination and being in a strange place. If you’re not sure, you can get a second opinion from your vet.
Can I take my pet on the plane with me?
Potentially yes, but you’ll need to check with the airline.
Pets over a certain size or weight might not be allowed in the cabin and will have to go in the cargo hold instead.
A few carriers only allow pets in the main cabin if they’re an assistance animal, like a guide dog. The Guide Dogs Association website has advice about taking assistance dogs abroad.
If pets are allowed and able to travel in the cabin, they’ll need to be in an airline-approved pet carrier.
If your pet has to travel in cargo, it should be in a pressurised and air-conditioned area that doesn’t get too cold and is quiet with the lights dimmed if possible, to encourage pets to sleep during the flight. Ask the airline about the conditions in the hold to make sure you’re happy.
Which airlines are pet-friendly?
The UK government publishes a list of airlines and airports you can use for pet air travel.
Airlines have specific rules about which pets are and aren’t allowed to travel because of their breed, size or weight, so you’ll need to check with them to see that your pet fits the requirements.
What is an airline-approved pet carrier?
To be airline-approved, a pet carrier must:
Be secure
Have adequate ventilation
Be able to fit under the seat in front of you if your pet is travelling in the cabin
Meet the individual airline’s requirements – so make sure you check these.
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FAQs
Can I take my pet on Eurostar?
No. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed on board Eurostar. You could consider Eurotunnel or a ferry instead.
Can I take my pet on the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle?
Yes. You’ll need a ticket each way for your cat, dog or ferret and have the necessary documents. Registered assistance dogs travel free.
Eurotunnel also takes a variety of other pets including rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles if you have the required veterinary certificates.
There are dedicated pet exercise areas while you wait for your train. The journey time is around 35 minutes, and you and your pet can stay together in your car during your crossing from Folkestone to Calais.
Can I take my pet on a ferry?
Potentially yes – but ferry companies each have their own rules and policies. You’ll also need to have all the right vaccines plus an up-to-date animal health certificate.
Some ferry operators may allow only assistance dogs. Others may expect pets to remain in cars during the crossing, so options for foot passengers may be more limited. Check what’s required and any restrictions before you book.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
An experienced commercial leader with nearly 20 years’ experience in digital comparison and consumer services, Tom Lyon is a trusted voice in industries that affect millions of households. Tom’s made appearances on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News, as well as programmes such as Watchdog, The One Show and Good Morning Britain.
Tom’s areas of expertise include travel insurance, as well as utilities and digital products such as energy, broadband and mobile.
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