A global guide to pet relocation costs 2024

• The cost of shipping a pet starts at £500
• Dogs and cats are welcome in most countries
• Each country has its own entry rules
• Microchipping and rabies vaccinations are common requirements
• You will need a pet passport or an animal health certificate

Moving countries can be stressful, and it becomes extra tricky when moving with pets. But as members of the family, it’s a worthwhile headache, if an expensive one.

Pet shipping costs vary widely and depend on several factors, including the size, breed and species of your pet. You also need to factor in where you’re shipping your pet from and its final destination.

As a rough estimate, it should cost anywhere between £500 (GBP) and £8,000 (GBP) to ship your pet to another country.

We have provided a drop down menu below and throughout this article to update any costs to your local currency. These are included as a rough guide only, and it’s worth researching thoroughly for more exact costs. 

The list of costs involved in relocating your pet to a new country is pretty long, but it will be worth it – especially if both your and your pet’s quality of life will improve. 

But where do you start? This guide outlines exactly how much you should expect to pay to send your beloved pets to the country you’re moving to. 

Before we start, do you know everything about moving your pet abroad, aside from the cost?  Here’s 11 things you should know before moving abroad with your pet, have a read and make sure you have everything you need. You can also hear directly from pet owners on their experience through our page, Talking to pet owners: What was it like to move abroad.

Pet shipping costs

Generally speaking, the cost of shipping a cat from the UK starts at £1,400 (GBP) , with the most expensive airline going as high as £1,400 (GBP) . Meanwhile, a dog can cost anywhere between £1,400 (GBP) and £8,000 (GBP) .

Prices will vary depending on your pet’s final destination, but that is just the flight costs.

Vaccinations, pet passports and health checks will increase the final total. We will go into more detail about these later on in the article. 

In the US, Air Animal Pet Movers charge $5,232 for international pet shipping, while Pet Express charges $4,905 and Starwood Pet Travel charges £5,895. 

If you’re based in the UK, to help you navigate costs to various locations, check the table below to see the cost of shipping your pet from the UK to popular destinations around the world. 

Pet vaccinations and medical costs

When you move countries, there are a lot of health assessments and potential vaccinations your pet will need before even leaving the country. 

The good news is that domestic animals are welcome in most countries, as long as they are free from any diseases. 

The health checks your pet needs will differ for each country, so let your vet know ahead of time, so they can have everything prepared. As a rule of thumb for most destinations, having your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies will be the minimum requirement. 

If you’re in the UK, your pet should already be microchipped.

If you own a dog, the law is that they must have a microchip and be registered on a database by the time it is eight weeks old.

From 10 June 2024, this law will be extended to cats, who will need to be microchipped and registered by 20 weeks old. 

A microchip, on average, for a dog is between £9 (GBP) and £20 (GBP) , while a cat will cost approximately £15 (GBP) to £20 (GBP) .

The average cost of vaccinations, however, will vary, but they typically range from £50 (GBP) to £85 (GBP) , so it’s worth asking your vet when making the appointment so you can budget accordingly. 

To help give you an idea, look at the table below for the typical cost of microchips and vaccinations in the UK, USA and Australia.

Prices will vary depending on the type of animal you have, and the veterinary clinic you visit. 

Pet health certificate costs

Once your pet has passed a health assessment, it will get a certificate, which needs to be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) if you’re in the UK travelling outside the EU.

This health assessment certificate will officially declare that your pet is fit for travel and has had all the vaccinations and tests relevant to the country you’re moving to.

Remember, the certificate needs to be dated within 10 days of travel to ensure your pet will be allowed to enter the country at your destination. 

The cost of a health certificate ranges widely and depends on what medical tests your pet needs. For example, in the US, a health exam and certificate could cost from $100-$350, depending on your location.

Meanwhile, in the UK it could cost anywhere between £75 to £180. 

Here’s what to consider if you’re moving from the UK. Firstly, there’s the availability of OVs, which not all vets are.  

Some practices might only have one or two OVs in their network or branches, with limited availability. This will likely mean they’ll charge a higher price. 

Pet owners will also need to pay for the admin required. According to Pass Pets UK, animal health certificates can be nine-to-11 pages long and the OV is required to manually strike out and stamp multiple parts of the document. 

To save  money, make sure you book well in advance as many practices will require a few weeks’ notice to prepare the certificate, so some will charge higher for booking last minute. 

The price will also be influenced by how many pets are travelling and whether you are travelling with or without them. 

If you’re travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, you will need a new animal certificate for each repeat trip, but you won’t need to redo their rabies vaccination, so long as they are up to date.

How much does it cost to fly a pet? 

Flying with your pet doesn’t mean you sit with it on the plane, unless it’s an assistant animal. In most cases, pets travel in the hold, while you stay in the cabin. 

Some airlines check in pets as checked baggage, while others classify them as cargo. Either way, your pet will go in a special livestock hold that is pressurised and temperature controlled. And don’t worry, they are in a completely different area to suitcases. 

There are three major airlines that allow pets to travel in the cabin, which are KLM, Lufthansa and Air France. This only applies to very small pets that weigh less than 8kg and you need to book directly through the airline. 

The cost to fly a pet to a different country varies quite significantly. Prices will differ between airlines, but generally it can be anywhere between £800 (GBP) and £8,000 (GBP) . It will also depend on the size, weight and breed of your animal, and your final destination. 

Also, each airline has its own pet transport rules. Once you know your final destination, research which airline offers the best relocation services for your needs and reach out to them directly. 

Pet travel crate costs

Each animal needs to go inside its own travel crate. The bigger your animal, the more you’ll need to spend on a suitable crate to put them in. 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommends using the following formula to help determine the right size crate: 

A = length of animal from tip of nose to base/root of tail

B = height from ground to elbow joint

C = width across shoulders or widest point (whichever is the greatest)

D = height of animal in natural standing position from top of the head or the ear tip to the floor (whichever is higher)

Source: The International Air Transport Association

These measurements should be related to the largest animal and include all packaging/filling typically used within crates with your measurements. The full list of requirements can be found on the IATA website. 

An airline approved travel crate for a dog or cat will cost anywhere between £75 (GBP) to over £200 (GBP) . Some pets can share crates, but this will be dependent on the airline you choose to fly with. 

Airlines also often allow you to rent an IATA-approved travel crate for the journey, which can help lower costs.

How much does it cost to clear customs?

Everyone has to go through airport customers and animals are no exception. Along with a passport or certificate check, most countries will give newly-arrived pets a veterinary exam. 

They will ask you questions, like your reasons for relocation, and make sure to have all your documents ready so you can reunite with your pet as quickly as possible. 

Fees for customs clearance can range from a mere £30 (GBP) to over £400 (GBP) , depending on import tariffs, veterinary inspection prices and other taxes.

Pet regulations by country

Apart from countries in the EU, no two countries have the same set of regulations, so we’re going into specific detail below to help. 

We’ve focused on some of our most popular expat destinations and listed the key requirements for your pet. 

Costs involved – as we’ve already mentioned – will differ quite dramatically, so check directly with the airline and the country for exact costs. 

Moving a pet to Australia

Overall, if you and your pet are moving Down Under, you’re looking at about one year of preparation before you can take off, with all the vaccination requirements.

Owing to its isolated geography, Australia has unique flora and fauna, and following the disastrous introduction of the cane toad, and the European rabbit successive governments have been very cautious about the introduction of species or diseases that could have an adverse affect on its agriculture, biodiversity and the health of its residents.   

As of 2024, you can only bring a cat or dog into Australia under strict import conditions. 

In March 2023, new quarantine requirements for importing cats and dogs into Australia came into affect, which we’ll outline further below. 

We recommend giving yourself a lot of time to apply for pet relocation. Remember, as well as having the right vaccinations, cats and dogs must be identifiable by a microchip that can be read by an ISO compatible reader. 

Vaccinations 

Dogs and cats coming from the UK or the USA must have a rabies vaccination, which they must have seven months before. After receiving this vaccination, your pet must undergo the Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) from a registered laboratory.

These results are valid for 12 months after the date the blood sample arrives at the lab and your pet can travel to Australia 180 days after this, providing all is well with the results. 

If you own a dog, they must be vaccinated against Leptospirosis, with two doses given exactly four weeks apart. This must be given at least 14 days before your date of travel. 

Dogs are also required to have the Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus and Brodetella vaccines, which all must be valid throughout the quarantine period. 

Cats, on the other hand, must have their Feline Enteritis, Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus vaccines, which must be valid for the entire post-entry quarantine period. 

In addition to all this, your pet will also need parasite treatments and blood tests to safely enter Australia. 

Animal import permit

You may need to apply for an import permit, which you’ll need to allow at least six months to complete all steps in the import process. 

Before you apply, Agriculture.gov.au recommends making sure your cat or dog meet all the important conditions. Not every application leads to a permit being issued, so make sure to take your time and meets all the requirements. 

Pet owners can apply for an import permit through the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). You’ll need to create an account. 

When you apply you will need to: 

• Make sure all details are accurate and complete
• Pay the application fees
• Provide copies of supporting documents required for your application type

The types of documents you will need will depend on which of three groups of countries your pet is travelling from, as defined in this step-by-step guide to the import of cats and dogs. 

For example, cats and dogs coming from a group one country, like New Zealand, do not require an import permit to enter Australia.

For group two country (e.g. Japan and Singapore) applications, “the competent authority must provide a copy of the identity verification directly”.

They then use this to verify your pet’s identity – this is your pet’s microchip, which must be present on every piece of documentation. 

If you are in a group three country (which includes the US, the UK and much of Europe, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle East) you must provide: 

• A copy of the RNATT report issued by the testing laboratory
• The corresponding RNATT declaration, endorsed by the official government veterinarian employed by the competent authority

To qualify for the minimum 10-day quarantine period, you must provide a copy of either the official identity declaration endorsed by the official government veterinarian or an Australian Export Health Certificate if your pet is of Australian origin. 

If your supporting documents need to be endorsed, you must have these done by an OV. The endorsement requires the OV’s signature, date of endorsement and the competent authority stamp. 

Each page of the document must be endorsed, except if they are linked by a unique certificate number provided by the competent authority. 

Most permits are issued in 20-40 business days, but it can take up to 123 business days to get your import permit.

Quarantine

Finally, your pet needs to go through quarantine, which was updated on 1 March 2023 following an increased rabies virus risk in imported dogs, cats and canine semen from approved countries. 

In relation to quarantine, there have been some updates to both group two and group three countries. 

For group two approved countries, the following quarantine conditions apply: 

• There is no change to the current mandatory minimum 10 days post entry quarantine period if animals have been prepared in compliance with the pre-export measures

For group three approved countries, the following quarantine conditions apply: 

• Minimum 10 days post-energy quarantine in an Australian government facility for dogs and cats that have had an identity verification, including scanning of the microchip, by the exporting country’s competent authority, as part of the import permit application process. The verification must occur before a blood sample is collected for RNAT testing, and at last 180 days before export to Australia 
• OR minimum 10 days post-entry quarantine in an Australian government facility for dogs and cats returning to Australia that have an identity verification before leaving Australia, through provision of formal evidence such as an Australian export permit, as part of the import permit application process
• OR minimum 30 days post-entry quarantine in an Australian government facility for dogs and cats that have not had an identity verification before a blood sample was collected for RNAT testing, and at least 180 days before export to Australia. These animals must still have a valid RNATT on a blood sample received by the resting laboratory at least 180 days before export to Australia. 

For more information on the changes, visit the Agricultural.gov.au website. 

Australia’s only quarantine service is in Mickleham, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, so you must fly your pet into Melbourne Airport.

There’s a long list of different fees for the quarantine: 

• $566 (AUS) , which includes lodging and assessment for a single dog
• $270 (AUS) for each additional dog
• A daily fee of $50 (AUS) for quarantine
• An additional $50 (AUS) is required for more than one animal in quarantine 
• $74 (AUS) inspection fee
• $74 (AUS) document assessment
• $160 (AUS) or $170 (AUS) out of hours collection fee
• Between $120 (AUS) and $250 (AUS) for a terminal service fee

The fees for Australian quarantine for one animal will cost between $1,800 to $2,500, depending on the duration required.

The fee covers the cost of accommodation, food, and necessary medical treatments your pets might need during their stay. 

Pair this with your animal import permit and quarantine fees, you’re looking at costs between $2,500 to $3,500.

Moving a pet to New Zealand

New Zealand has strict regulations for every country in the world, except for Australia. Other than cats and dogs, the only permitted species of animal are rabbits from Australia, guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from Great Britain. 

It’s an odd combo, but like Australia, New Zealand has had its fair share of problems from invasive species over the years, so they are very strict about which animals and pets are allowed into the country. 

Similar to Australia, New Zealand puts countries into three distinct groups. The first group is Australia (category 1), rabies-free (category 2) and rabies-absent or well controlled (category 3).

To successfully import your cat or dog, as advised by the Ministry for Primary Industries, you need to: 

• Read the important health standard (IHS), guidance document and checklists for cats and dogs
• Check that your cat or dog is eligible for import into New Zealand 
• Ensure your dog isn’t a prohibited breed or type. There are also some  restrictions around hybrids
• Use a pet transporter (recommended rather than a requirement) 
• Book an MPI-approved quarantine facility (see below) 
• Apply for a permit to import from MPI, which is a minimum of 20 working days in advance of the date you require the permit 
• Notify an OV in New Zealand if you’re importing a cat or dog from Australia or an assistance dog that has met MPI’s eligibility criteria
• Declare any medication your animal is taking 

Vaccinations 

Dogs and cats being transported to New Zealand from the UK, for example, will need to have a rabies vaccination at least six months before your travel date, and a rabies blood sample at least three months before you fly. 

The rabies vaccine needs to be done within 12 months of the flight date. Your pet will also need treatment against internal parasites and ticks. 

Once again, there’s a pretty long list of diseases your dog will need specifically testing for, it’s the same for Australia’s (see above). 

Animal import permit

Your cat or dog will need an import permit to enter New Zealand, no matter which country you’re travelling from. It will cost you approximately $220.74, which is a fixed price no matter how many pets you wish to bring in. 

Your cat or dog will be cleared for entry when the following conditions have been met:

• It’s passes final veterinary inspection at the border (from Australia) or a minimum of 10-days quarantine for all other approved countries
• All supporting documents is compliant

If your cat or dog does not meet these requirements, it will be held for further tests, treatment or quarantine, re-shipped to the exporting country (or another country) or euthanased, and you’ll be liable for any costs involved. 

Quarantine

As mentioned above, all cats and dogs – except if they’ve come from Australia – will need to be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days. They must enter New Zealand through Auckland or Christchurch airports. 

The cost to quarantine your pet is approximately $1,400 and $2,000 per animal.

You will also need to pay for transportation from the airport and government (MAF) inspection fees. If your pet does not require an inspection, it will cost you around $57, or $215 per hour if they do. Costs vary per facility.

You will also need to notify an OV in New Zealand about your pet’s arrival at least 72 hours beforehand. 

Moving a pet to Canada

Canadians are more than happy to let domestic animals into their country. Just make sure you prepare your pet so it can meet the requirements at the border. If they don’t meet the requirements, there’s a risk of delays and your pet might not be allowed to enter. 

You can find out everything you need to know via the Canadian government website.

Vaccinations 

The same rules apply to many countries for rabies vaccinations (see above) in order to relocate to Canada. 

According to PetAir, the veterinary requirements for dogs and cats to fly to Canada are pretty simple. All they need is a microchip, a rabies vaccination and a health certificate within five days of the flight. 

The Canadian Government website says those travelling from the UK with a dog, for example, will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate or a valid Rabies Country-Freedom Certificate. You will also need to ensure your dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements. Cats will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate or a veterinary certificate. 

Quarantine

Canada doesn’t like to separate pets from their owners, as this can be quite stressful for both parties. 

However, they must meet certain health regulations. Animals who don’t meet these requirements will be returned to their country of origin. This is why it’s vital to ensure you’ve got all the right paperwork ahead of time. 

Moving a pet to the USA

Compared to Australia and New Zealand, most pet regulations around the world are generally less strict. If you want to bring your pet to America, here’s what you need to know. 

Firstly, all written statements and documents must be in English or have a certified translation. The animal must also be at least six months old and be ‘healthy’. It will also need a valid microchip and rabies vaccination. 

Vaccinations 

The good news for pet owners is that cats and dogs do not require a permit to enter the US. They do, however, require a rabies vaccination if you’re outside the UK and Ireland, as these are considered rabies-free countries. 

You will need a health certificate from your vet verifying your pet is fit and healthy to travel, as advised by the US Embassy in London.

You will also need to contact your chosen airline and the respective State Department of Agriculture (situated in the US) to check if they require further documentation. They will also be able to provide guidance on registering your pet upon arrival. 

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CSC) has recently extended its temporary suspension from high-risk dog rabies countries until 31 July 2024, too.

This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past six months.

If the suspension applies to you, you will need to apply for a permit, with requirements listed on the CDC website. 

Quarantine

Quarantine is generally avoided by most pets coming into the states – except birds. They need to spend a minimum of 30 days in quarantine after they have arrived. 

Moving a pet to France 

If you want to bring your chien (dog), chat (cat) or any other animal to France, then the regulations are pretty easy to follow. These rules are also extremely similar to those in Germany, as both countries are in the EU. 

If you’re coming from any other EU member state then you can use a pet passport, but if not, then you’ll need a standard animal health certificate. We’ve highlighted these key requirements above.

Vaccinations 

All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old before they can travel, no matter the species. All animals need a rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate, which needs to be within 10 days of your travel date and at least 21 days after your vaccination date. 

If your pet is coming from a country with a high incidence of rabies, you’ll need to plan things a bit more in advance. This is because your pet will need a Blood Titer Test one month after being vaccinated and then have to wait a further three months before it can fly. 

Once again, all pets must be microchipped before the rabies vaccination takes place. Treating your animal against things like ticks, tapeworms and heartworms are recommended, but not compulsory. 

Quarantine

Similar to Canada and Germany, you won’t need to quarantine your pet when you move to France, provided the Blood Titer Test is within acceptable limits. 

Your pet will be able to enter France no sooner than three calendar months after the date the blood was drawn, and you will avoid quarantine. 

Any signs of serious diseases, though, and the animal will be whisked away until they’ve been treated, which will be at your expense, so it’s best to make sure all tests are okay before travelling. 

Moving a pet to Germany 

Germany, while similar to the French requirements, has a ‘dog tax’ in place, which needs to be paid if you own a dog in the country. You can avoid the tax if you have an assistance dog or own a cat. You are almost exempt for a year if you have a rescue dog. 

Vaccinations 

Your pet will need to be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. It needs to be administered at least 21 days before a vet can issue you with an Animal Health Certificate, so book your appointment at least a month before your travel date. 

The good news is most brands of rabies vaccinations administered in the UK last for three years, so it’s worth ticking this off your list early. Other countries may differ. 

Routine, annual vaccinations are not required to travel/move to Germany, however, it’s recommended you maintain these anyway. 

Quarantine

Similar to other EU countries, your pet does not need to be quarantined in Germany if it meets all the requirements and shows no signs of disease.

Moving a pet to the UK

The UK is a true animal-loving country. In fact, about 57% of UK households own a pet. Thankfully, it’s relatively easy to bring your pet to the UK, if you’re relocating. 

You can enter or even return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it has been microchipped, has a pet passport or health certificate, and has been vaccinated against rabies. It will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from a country that is not on the ‘safe list’. 

You can find out which country is not listed through the Gov UK website. 

Vaccinations 

As mentioned, your pet will need to be vaccinated against rabies before it can travel, and your vet will need proof that your pet’s at least 12 weeks old before vaccinating them. 

Your pet, according to the UK government, must have had their first rabies vaccination, which can be administered in more than one dose and you may need to restart these if they don’t have all doses needed or a booster at the right time. 

Dogs will also need to be treated for tapeworm, which should be recorded in a pet passport or health certificate. This needs to happen every time your pet enters the UK. You are exempt from this if you are travelling from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. 

The treatment must: 

• Be approved for us in the country it’s being given in 
• Contain praziquantel or an equivalent proven to be effective against the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm

The UK allows a maximum of five pets to enter the country at any one time. 

Quarantine

If you haven’t used an approved route into the UK, filled in a declaration form if you plan to transfer ownership or sell the pet, or failed to do all vaccinations, your pet may be placed into quarantine for up to four months. 

In some cases, you will be refused entry. If you travel by sea, your pet will not be allowed to enter the UK. 

Rabbits and rodents travelling outside the EU or if they’ve lived in an EU country for less than four months will need to be quarantined. 

All pets that need to be quarantined need to arrive at one of the following ports or airports:

Ports 

• Calais Eurotunnel 
• Dover Eastern Docks 
• Harwich International Port
• Hull 
• Portsmouth

Airports

• Belfast International
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Glasgow Prestwick
• Leeds Bradford
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• Manchester

If your pet needs to go through a border control post, this list reduces dramatically. You will need to go through border control if you’re arriving directly from a non-EU country and your pet is not travelling with you, or they are being transported for a commercial purpose. 

If either of these apply, you must arrive at one of the following airports: 

• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• Edinburgh

To book a quarantine carrier or premises, you can do so through the Gov UK website. Fees will vary in this instance, but it will generally be around £200 per month for cats and £300 per month for dogs. 

Pet relocation costs: Next steps

It can cost anywhere from £500 (GBP)  to over £10,000 (GBP) to ship your pet to a new country. As we’ve outlined in this guide, there are so many costs you need to be aware of when planning a move with your pet, including: 

• Vaccinations and microchipping
• A pet health certificate or pet passport
• Airline checked baggage or cargo fees
• Buying or renting a travel crate
• Customs charges
• Quarantine fees
• An animal import permit

 We strongly recommend not only doing your own research as each case is different, but using a proper pet relocation company. While this is an added cost, they will make the process easier and less stressful. As you will have a list a mile long to handle, working with a pet relocation company can make this a lot shorter. They’ll tell you exactly what’s required and then help you get it. 

Check out our breakdown of the top 10 pet relocation companies to help start your planning process.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Should/can I sedate my pet before shipping them? 

The best person to ask is your vet, as they will be advised on your pet’s health and any ongoing situations. They can also answer any concerns you might have. The vet might decide that sedating your pet is preferred to avoid them becoming too distressed. 

They will then be able to provide the right medication to help sedate them. 

Can you reduce pet travel anxiety? 

There are some home remedies available to help treat anxiety in your pets, however, check its safety from your vet before use. There are also calming techniques you can try, like playing soothing music, white noise machines, etc – although these are best suited if you’re driving. 

If you’re using a pet crate or carrier, get them used to it first. Also, limited food intake before the light, book a direct flight and tire them out before you fly also. It’s also known that their favourite toy or blanket will help soothe them, too. 

Does anyone look after the pets while they’re being shipped? 

Pets are kept separate in the warehouse at the airline to help keep them calm, but once they are in the hold area, they often go unmonitored because the hold is inaccessible. Pets, however, are treated as a priority and are often put on the plan last and taken off first to avoid unnecessary stress. 

Of course, the hold they are placed in is temperature controlled and pressurised, so they are more than safe.