Pet Transport Romania to UK: What You Need in 2026

Romania to Great Britain is one of the more manageable European pet moves. Romania is an EU-listed country, so there is no titre test requirement for entry into GB. You need a current rabies …

Get your free quote

3-5

Weeks lead time needed

Start this early minimum

Days quarantine on arrival

Low

Route complexity

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The Romania to United Kingdom import process

Before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.

ISO microchip implanted (if not already done).

Responsible: Your vet in Romania

At least 21 days before travel (for a first vaccination or restart of course).

Rabies vaccination administered.

Responsible: Your vet in Romania

24-120 hours before arrival time in GB.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs administered by a vet, timed to 24-120 hours before arrival in GB.

Responsible: ANSVSA-authorised vet in Romania

Within 10 days of travel.

AHC issued by ANSVSA-authorised official vet.

Responsible: ANSVSA-authorised official vet

Travel day.

Travel via approved route (OTP-LHR or OTP-LGW direct, or via approved hub).

Responsible: You

Requirements

United Kingdom entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Rabies vaccination

Current rabies vaccination required. At least 21 days must have passed since the first or only vaccination in the course before travel. A valid booster with no break in cover has no waiting period. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Rabies titre test

Not required. Romania is an EU-listed country, so the titre test requirement does not apply. Source: GOV.UK approved countries list, 2026.

Quarantine

No routine quarantine for pets arriving with correct documentation via an approved route. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months applies if documentation is incorrect or the pet arrives on an unapproved route. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Import permit

No import permit required. The AHC or EU pet passport serves as the travel document. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Health certificate

AHC (Animal Health Certificate) issued in Romania by an ANSVSA-authorised official vet, or a valid EU pet passport issued before 1 January 2021. The AHC is valid for 10 days from issue for entry into Great Britain. Source: GOV.UK, 2026.

Leaving Romania

Export requirements

Export permit

No formal export permit required for companion animals. The AHC or valid EU pet passport is the key export document. Source: ANSVSA, 2026.

Health certificate

Animal Health Certificate issued by an ANSVSA-authorised official veterinarian. The AHC replaces the EU pet passport for non-commercial movements into Great Britain. Issued within 10 days of travel. Source: ANSVSA (ansvsa.ro), 2026.

Costs

What this route typically costs

AHC appointment and certificate with official vet: RON 200-500 (approx. GBP 40-100)

Tapeworm treatment at vet: RON 60-150 (approx. GBP 12-30)

Cargo fees OTP to LHR: GBP 400-1,200 depending on crate size and carrier

IATA-compliant crate: GBP 60-250 if needed

Agent fees (optional but useful): GBP 150-350

Total typical range: GBP 660-1,930

Critical points

The tapeworm timing window is strict. Treatment more than 120 hours before arrival or less than 24 hours before arrival does not comply. The vet must record the exact date and time in the AHC.

GB-issued pet passports are not valid for EU travel. But a Romanian-issued EU pet passport (issued when Romania joined the EU, prior to 2021) is still valid for GB entry on the existing document, provided all vaccinations are current and correctly recorded.

Romania's Pit Bull Terrier and similar types are subject to restriction. The UK also bans Pit Bull Terrier type dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Confirm your breed is not listed before booking.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
TAROM	TAROM operates direct flights from Bucharest Henri Coanda (OTP) to London Heathrow (LHR). Pets can be transported as cargo or excess baggage depending on size. Confirm current pet cargo availability with TAROM before booking.	Cargo Only
British Airways	British Airways World Cargo handles pet transport between Bucharest and London. Cargo pets travel in the temperature-controlled hold. Book through an approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any BA route.	Cargo Only
KLM / Air France	Via Amsterdam (AMS) or Paris (CDG) hubs. KLM Cargo and Air France Cargo both accept pets and have reliable OTP connections through their European hub airports.	Cargo Only
Wizz Air	Wizz Air operates OTP-LTN (Luton) routes with cabin pets allowed (up to 10kg including carrier). Cargo pets are not accepted on Wizz Air. If your pet is small enough, cabin travel on Wizz Air is a straightforward option.	Cabin Only

EU pet passport or AHC: which document do you use?

This is the question most owners from Romania get stuck on. The short answer depends on when your pet’s passport was issued.

If your dog or cat has an EU pet passport issued in Romania and all vaccinations are current and correctly recorded in it, you can still use that passport to enter Great Britain. The post-Brexit rules allow continued use of existing EU pet passports for travel into GB. What you cannot do is get a new EU pet passport today and use it for GB travel, because new passports are no longer recognised.

If your pet’s passport is out of date, incomplete, or was never issued, you need an Animal Health Certificate. The AHC is issued by an ANSVSA-authorised official vet in Romania and is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for GB entry. It is also valid for 4 months for onward EU travel if needed.

Most owners taking pets to the UK now use the AHC, as it is straightforward to arrange through official vets in Bucharest and other major Romanian cities.

The tapeworm window: get the timing right

The tapeworm rule catches more people out than any other requirement on EU-to-UK moves. For dogs (not cats), Praziquantel must be administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before the scheduled arrival time in Great Britain. Not departure time, not check-in time, the time you expect to arrive in GB.

The treatment must be recorded with the date and time in your AHC or EU pet passport, signed by the vet. If treatment was given 121 hours before arrival, it does not count. If given within 24 hours of arrival, it does not count.

Plan your vet appointment backwards from your expected arrival time in London. Most cargo shipments from OTP to LHR take around 24-36 hours door to door including kennel time. Work the tapeworm appointment into that window carefully, and confirm the timing with the vet who issues your AHC.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. Romania is an EU-listed country for UK pet travel purposes, which means the titre test requirement does not apply. You need a microchip, a current rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait after the first dose, and an AHC from an ANSVSA-authorised official vet. Source: GOV.UK approved countries list, 2026.

Small dogs may travel in-cabin with airlines such as Wizz Air (to Luton) or Air France/KLM (via Paris or Amsterdam), if they are under the carrier’s in-cabin weight limit including the carrier. Larger dogs must travel as cargo. TAROM and British Airways World Cargo both handle cargo pets on OTP-LHR routes. Confirm current pet cargo policies with your chosen carrier before booking.

Allow at least 3-4 weeks. The main variable is the 21-day rabies vaccination wait (if your pet is not already vaccinated). The AHC can be issued within 10 days of travel, and the tapeworm treatment must be timed within 24-120 hours of arrival. If your pet’s vaccinations are current, the preparation time is mostly about booking the AHC appointment and arranging cargo space.

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Move your pet
to United Kingdom.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. We map the complete preparation timeline and costs. No commitment required.

Get my free quote