Europe
Pet travel to London
AHC-compliant entry with exempt country protocol navigation.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of travel
- 2
ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit)
- 3
Rabies vaccination — minimum 21 days before entry
- 4
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) within 24–120 hours of scheduled UK arrival
These are the official entry rules for United Kingdom.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for United Kingdom.
UK no longer accepts EU pet passports post-Brexit. APHA-approved vets must issue the AHC. Heathrow Terminal 4 holds the dedicated APHA border post.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle London.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for London.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into London.
All pets arriving from outside Great Britain must clear through an APHA-approved Border Control Post. Heathrow Terminal 4 holds the primary APHA border post for live animal imports. LGW has its own APHA post for qualifying flights. We pre-arrange your inspection slot.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
14–28 days
Ready to travel to London?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in London.
The Columbia
The Columbia allows pets of any size for no additional fee.
Stylish Notting Hill Studio Flat
This 1-bedroom house in London is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request, but all pets
The Angel of Bow
The Angel of Bow is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats are also welcome.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in London.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in London. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating London with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Public Transit
Dogs travel free on the Tube and all London buses. Must be carried on escalators; on trains, well-behaved dogs on leads are standard. TfL has a notably permissive policy.
Private Cars
Our vetted executive car network operates 24/7 across all London boroughs. ULEZ-compliant vehicles; no breed or size restrictions with advance notice.
On Foot
London's borough-level mapping of dog-permitted public spaces is detailed. We provide zone-by-zone guides for Kensington, Chelsea, Mayfair, and the City.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
London, with your dog.
St. James's Park
With its royal, political and literary associations, St James's Park is at the very heart of London and covers 23 hectares (58 acres) with a lake harboring
Horse Guards Rd, London, UK
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is pet-friendly. This popular park in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in the East London is one of London's most visited green spaces
Grove Rd, London, UK, E3 5TB
hairofthedoglondon
Hair of the Dog London stock several unique products and brands exclusive to them, including the gorgeous Vurv Design Studio hand-crafted wooden
24 Highgate high street, Highgate village, London, UK, N6 5JG
Tootbus London
Small, well-behaved dogs are welcome on pet-friendly Tootbus tours throughout London, UK. This tour bus agency features open-top, double-decker,
5-1 Coventry St, London, UK, W1D 6BH
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in London.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in London. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Casual
The Cow Islington
Islington
Dogs welcome in the bar and at all outside tables; biscuit jar kept at the bar.
Terrace Dining
The Ledbury
Notting Hill
Dogs permitted on the terrace with advance notice; water bowls provided.
Market
Borough Market
Southwark
Open market — dogs welcome throughout. Saturday mornings are peak dog-watching territory.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
Mungo & Maud
79 Elizabeth St, London SW1W 9PJ
London's finest pet boutique; stocks premium nutrition brands and made-to-order accessories.
Big Box
Pets at Home Chelsea
445 King's Rd, London SW10 0LR
Full prescription diet range including Hill's, Royal Canin, and Purina Pro Plan.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
London Veterinary Specialists
Export Clinic
Vets4Pets Kensington
Boarding & Daycare
Barking Mad Chelsea
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for London.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to London.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for London: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for London and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about London.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
