Sweden to UK is one of the more straightforward international routes for pet owners. Sweden is a Part 1 listed country under UK APHA rules, which means no titre test and no quarantine for compliant arrivals. The key steps are a current AHC …
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip is in place and pre-dates the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
Verify now. If microchip was implanted after the rabies vaccination, the vaccination is invalid and must be repeated.
2
Ensure rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Your vet (Jordbruksverket-authorised)
Primary vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before travel. Boosters must be within the manufacturer's validity period.
3
Book cargo space or cabin slot on your chosen carrier
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead. Cargo slots for large pets can fill quickly on popular routes.
4
Official vet issues Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
Responsible: Jordbruksverket-authorised official vet
Within 10 days of travel. Cannot be issued earlier.
5
Dogs: tapeworm treatment (Praziquantel) recorded in AHC
Responsible: Vet
24-120 hours before arrival in Great Britain. Exact timing matters.
6
Travel to Great Britain. Present AHC at border inspection post.
Responsible: Airline/owner
On travel date.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. At least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination course before entering Great Britain.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant arrivals. Penalty quarantine of up to 4 months for non-compliant pets.
Import permit
No import permit. The AHC serves as the travel document.
Health certificate
AHC issued within 10 days of travel to Great Britain. Sweden is a Part 1 listed country (APHA classification), so no titre test is required.
Export permit (Sweden)
No formal export permit required for cats and dogs leaving Sweden.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Official vet AHC fee: approximately SEK 2,000-4,000 (EUR 180-360) depending on vet and species
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only): approximately SEK 200-500
Airline cargo fee: approximately SEK 2,500-8,000 (EUR 220-720) for a Stockholm to London route, depending on crate size
IATA-compliant travel crate: SEK 600-2,500 if not already owned
Pet transport agent fee (if used): SEK 5,000-15,000
Total typical range: GBP 400 to GBP 1,400 depending on size and whether an agent is used
Critical points to read before you book
The AHC must be issued within 10 days of your travel date. It cannot be issued earlier, even if your vet is available sooner.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs must be given between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain (not before departure). Timing is counted from UK arrival, not Swedish departure. Plan carefully if your journey involves a connection.
EU pet passports are not valid for entry to Great Britain post-Brexit. You need a current AHC regardless of how long your passport is valid for.
Microchip must pre-date the rabies vaccination. This is checked at UK border inspection posts and is a common reason for refusal.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
SAS
SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
Small pets allowed in cabin on Stockholm (ARN/BMA) to London (LHR/LGW) routes. Cargo service available via SAS Cargo for larger pets.
Cabin and Cargo
BRITISH
British Airways
Heathrow to Stockholm routes. Pets travel via IAG Cargo. PetAir UK handles UK-side import formalities.
Cargo Only
NORWEGIAN AIR
Norwegian Air
Budget carrier. Small pets in cabin only. Not suitable for cargo or larger dogs.
Cabin Only
The AHC replaces the EU pet passport
Since the UK left the EU, Great Britain no longer accepts EU pet passports for inbound travel. If your dog or cat has a blue EU pet passport from before Brexit, it is not valid for UK entry.
The replacement is the Animal Health Certificate (AHC). This is issued by an official vet authorised by Jordbruksverket (the Swedish Board of Agriculture). The certificate covers the same information as the old passport but must be issued within 10 days of travel and is specific to this journey.
After the pet arrives in Great Britain, the AHC is then valid for up to 4 months for onward travel within Great Britain. Keep it with your pet’s other documentation.
Tapeworm timing for dogs: get this right
All dogs entering Great Britain from abroad must be treated for tapeworm before arrival. The treatment uses praziquantel (or equivalent licensed product) and must be given by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before the pet arrives in Great Britain.
This window is counted from UK arrival time, not from when you leave Sweden. If you take a connecting flight with a long layover, or a ferry crossing, the timing of the treatment shifts accordingly. The treatment must be recorded in the AHC by the administering vet.
Cats do not require tapeworm treatment. Dogs travelling without a correctly timed and recorded treatment will be refused entry.
FAQ
Common questions about Sweden to United Kingdom pet transport
No. Sweden is a Part 1 listed country under APHA rules, which means UK quarantine is not required for compliant arrivals. Your pet needs a current AHC, an ISO-standard microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, a rabies vaccination that has been valid for at least 21 days, and (for dogs) a tapeworm treatment given 24-120 hours before arrival. Non-compliant pets may face penalty quarantine.
No. EU pet passports have not been accepted for entry into Great Britain since January 2021. You need a current Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a Jordbruksverket-authorised official vet within 10 days of your travel date. The AHC is valid for that journey and for onward travel within Great Britain for up to 4 months afterwards.
Dogs must receive a praziquantel-based tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain. The treatment must be recorded in the AHC. The window is measured from arrival time in the UK, not from when you leave Sweden. Cats are not subject to this rule.
For large dogs, cargo is the only option. SAS Cargo and British Airways (IAG Cargo) both serve the Stockholm-London route. For smaller dogs that meet the size and weight limits, some airlines allow in-cabin travel in a carrier under the seat. Check current weight and crate size limits directly with your chosen airline before booking, as policies can change.