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Taking a pet from the UK to Belgium changed after Brexit. The EU Pet Passport no longer works for UK-resident pets. You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). This is the single most important thing to know before you plan your pet's travel.
The AHC is issued by a vet on the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) approved list. It must be issued within 10 days of your pet entering Belgium. It's valid for that trip only. You need a new one for each future trip. Start the process early. Book your vet appointment as soon as you've a move date.
Your pet must also be microchipped and have a current rabies vaccine. The vaccine must have been given at least 21 days before travel. If your pet has never had a rabies vaccine, the 21-day wait starts from the first dose. For dogs, a vet must give a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before entry.
Belgium follows EU rules on pet entry. The Belgian authority is the AFSCA (Agence fédérale pour la sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire) / FAVV in Dutch. No quarantine is needed for compliant pets. But a non-compliant pet may be held at the border or returned to the UK.
We connect your request with one FIDI-certified partner mover for the UK to Belgium pet relocation route. We aren't a removal company. The service is free.
there are two main options for travelling with a pet to Belgium: Le Shuttle and the ferry. Both have different rules for pets.
Le Shuttle (Eurotunnel), Folkestone to Calais: pets travel in the car with you on the vehicle deck. The crossing takes about 35 minutes. Dogs, cats and small animals in carriers are allowed. You must have all documents ready for inspection at the terminal before boarding. Le Shuttle is the fastest and most common option for pets moving to Belgium.
Ferry, Dover to Calais: P&O Ferries and DFDS both run the Dover to Calais route. Rules for pets on ferries vary by operator. Some ferries allow pets in the car on the vehicle deck. Others allow pets in pet-friendly cabins. Check the current pet policy directly with the ferry operator before you book. DFDS also runs Dunkirk to Dover, which some operators use for the Belgium route.
Plan the pet's journey at the same time as the removal. Give the partner mover your pet details when you request the quote. They can plan the crossing that works best for you and your pet.
Start the paperwork early. The AHC has a fixed window and can't be issued too far in advance. Here's the full checklist for a cat or dog travelling from the UK to Belgium.
Belgium's pet entry authority is the AFSCA, or FAVV in Dutch.
Dogs, cats and ferrets from the UK need a valid AHC, a microchip and a rabies vaccine to enter Belgium. Dogs also need the tapeworm treatment. The AFSCA may require advance notification of your pet's arrival. Check this with your mover and your vet before the move date.
Rabbits, rodents and other animals have different rules. They're generally not subject to the rabies vaccine and AHC rules for dogs and cats. But other rules may apply depending on species. Always check with the AFSCA and at gov.uk before travelling with other pets.
Belgian VAT is 21% on goods imported from the UK. This applies to your household goods, not to your pets. Pets travel under their own rules, separate from the customs process for your belongings. EU removal goods relief via SPF Finances removes that VAT and import duty on used personal goods. To qualify, you must be moving your main home to Belgium. Your goods must have been owned and used for at least six months. Your mover files the paperwork with SPF Finances on your behalf. You handle the pet paperwork with your vet and the AFSCA. Keep these two processes separate and you will not get confused.
Belgium uses the euro. The UK uses sterling. Your removal quote will be in pounds. But Belgian vet costs, housing and day-to-day costs after you arrive will be in euros. For a new start in Belgium, the exchange rate matters. Plan it before you go, not after.
International Removals Companies works with currency exchange partners. We don't provide currency exchange ourselves. If you need to convert sterling to euro, we can connect you with a currency partner. No cost and no obligation.
Moving a pet and a household at the same time is a lot to manage. The pet has its own timeline. The goods have theirs. A good mover helps you align them. We connect you with one FIDI-certified partner mover who handles both the goods and the pet crossing.
FIDI FAIM movers pass an audit by Ernst and Young every three years. It covers more than 200 checks. For a move with a pet and household goods, you want one contact who knows both timelines. Not two separate firms and a lot of calls.
We are not a removal company. We are a free matching service operated by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD (company 07425576). You send one request. We connect you with one expert. Free, no obligation.
Since Brexit, UK pets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). It must be issued by an APHA-listed vet within 10 days of entry to Belgium. Your pet must be microchipped and have a rabies vaccine given at least 21 days before travel. Dogs also need a tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before entry. Check gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad before booking.
Yes. Your pet needs a rabies vaccine given at least 21 days before entry to Belgium. The vaccine must be current and recorded in the microchip documentation. Belgium follows EU rules on pet entry. Dogs, cats and ferrets all need a valid rabies vaccine. Check the current rules with your vet and at gov.uk before your move date.
Yes. Dogs must be treated for tapeworm between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Belgium. The treatment must be given by a vet and recorded in the Animal Health Certificate. This rule applies to dogs only, not cats or other pets. Always check current requirements at gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad.
The Belgian authority is the AFSCA / FAVV. Check the rules with your vet and mover before arrival.
No quarantine is required for compliant pets. A valid microchip, a current rabies vaccine and an AHC issued within 10 days of entry: meet those three conditions and your pet enters Belgium without quarantine. Meet those conditions and you'll have no problem at the border. Dogs also need the tapeworm treatment. Non-compliant pets may be held at the border.
Yes. Le Shuttle (Eurotunnel) from Folkestone to Calais allows pets to travel in the car with you. The crossing takes about 35 minutes. Dogs, cats and small animals in carriers are permitted. You must have the AHC and all required documents ready for inspection at the terminal. Some ferries also allow pets in pet-friendly cabins.
Rabbits and rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs and similar) have different rules from dogs and cats. They're generally not subject to the rabies vaccine requirement. But they may have other rules depending on species. Check with the AFSCA and at gov.uk before travelling with any other pet.
The AHC replaced the EU Pet Passport for UK pets after Brexit. You need a new AHC for each trip. It must be issued within 10 days of entry. It can't be used again for future trips. The AHC confirms microchip, rabies vaccine, tapeworm treatment (dogs) and the vet's details. Start the process early.
International Removals Companies is not a removal company. We are a free matching service operated by DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD (company 07425576). You send one request with your pet details and move date. We connect you with one FIDI-certified partner mover for the UK to Belgium pet relocation route. Free, no obligation.
Moving your pet and your home together? We connect you with one expert who handles both. Free.
Send your pet's species, breed and microchip status, your move date and your UK and Belgian addresses. Include any notes on your pet's current vaccine records. We connect you with one FIDI-certified partner mover. They plan the crossing and the goods customs. You plan the AHC with your vet. One request. One mover. No cold calls.
Get a Free Pet Relocation to Belgium QuoteFree. No obligation. One FIDI-certified partner mover. DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, operating since 2010.
International Removals Companies connects pet relocation to Belgium requests with one suitable vetted partner mover. Partner movers hold FIDI FAIM, BAR Overseas, FEDEMAC and IAM accreditations where confirmed. Working Member of AGM Group since 2010.
Pet travel rules change. Always verify AHC requirements and AFSCA rules at gov.uk and with your vet before your move date. This page is a guide only.