Pet Transport Poland to United Kingdom: 2026 Guide

The UK groups countries into tiers for pet import purposes. EU member states sit in Part 1 of the listed countries register, meaning they share equivalent animal health standards with the UK. For pets from Part 1 listed countries, the UK waives the titre test requirement. This is the main practical benefit of Poland’s EU membership for pet owners.

The requirements for a Poland-to-UK move are: an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (with at least 21 days elapsed since the primary course), an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a Polish Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of travel, and, for dogs, a praziquantel tapeworm treatment administered and recorded within 24-120 hours of the scheduled UK arrival.

Note that since Brexit, the EU pet passport is no longer valid for entry to the UK. Polish pets that previously entered the UK on their EU pet passport now need the AHC each time they travel. The AHC is a single-trip document; it must be issued fresh for each journey.

The 21-day rule for rabies vaccination applies to the primary course. If your pet has had boosters and the vaccination history shows a continuous valid course, the 21-day count applies to the initial primary vaccination, not each booster. If your pet is due a booster before travel, get it done at least 21 days before the travel date.

Dogs travelling from EU countries to the UK must be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) before entry. The treatment must use praziquantel or an equivalent approved product and must be administered by a veterinarian. The treatment is recorded in the Animal Health Certificate, which means it cannot happen before the OV issues the AHC; both happen in the final days before travel.

The timing window is strict: the treatment must be given no fewer than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before the dog’s scheduled arrival time in the UK. If your flight lands at Heathrow at 14:00, the treatment window opens five days before at 14:00 and closes 24 hours before landing at 14:00 the day before travel.

Owners often book the OV appointment on the day the treatment is given, since the OV issues the AHC at the same time and records the treatment. This means the AHC and tapeworm treatment are handled in one vet visit, typically two to four days before travel. Plan the OV appointment around your flight time to land within the treatment window.

Cats do not require tapeworm treatment for UK entry from Poland. The tapeworm requirement applies only to dogs.

LOT Polish Airlines operates direct services from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), and Stansted (STN). LOT is the primary carrier for this route and accepts pets both in cabin and as cargo.

Small pets (generally up to 8 kg including the carrier) can travel in cabin on LOT on qualifying routes. The carrier must fit under the seat in front. Larger pets travel as cargo, in IATA-compliant kennels in the aircraft hold. LOT has specific kennel dimension requirements; check these with LOT cargo before purchasing a kennel.

Budget carriers such as Wizz Air and Ryanair also operate WAW to UK routes but do not generally accept pets in cabin or hold. If you are using a budget carrier, verify current pet policy before booking.

The flight from Warsaw to London is approximately two to two and a half hours. For pets in cargo, the handling time at Warsaw and the collection process at the UK airport adds to the total journey time. Factor this into the tapeworm treatment timing calculation.