Moving your pet abroad can be an exciting but costly part of relocation. Whether you’re taking a dog to Europe, a cat to the USA, or relocating to destinations like Australia or New Zealand, it’s important to know what to budget for.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the costs of international pet relocation from the UK.
💷 Average Cost of Moving Pets Abroad
- Within Europe: £300 – £1,000 per pet
- To the USA/Canada: £800 – £2,000 per pet
- To Australia/New Zealand: £2,000 – £5,000+ per pet (due to long-haul flights, permits, and quarantine)
- To Asia, Africa, South America: £1,000 – £3,500 depending on country requirements
👉 The final cost depends on distance, paperwork, airline fees, and whether you use a pet relocation service.
📋 Breakdown of Typical Pet Relocation Costs
- Microchip
- £15–£30
- Mandatory for all international travel.
- Rabies Vaccination & Boosters
- £40–£80
- Must be given after microchipping, with a 21-day wait before travel (for first-time vaccination).
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
- £100–£200 per pet
- Required for EU entry and some other destinations. Valid for 10 days of entry, up to 4 months in the EU.
- Blood Tests (Rabies Titre Test, if required)
- £100–£200
- Some countries (e.g., Australia, UAE) require proof of rabies antibodies.
- Additional Treatments
- £20–£50
- Tick, tapeworm, or parasite treatments may be mandatory.
- Travel Costs (Flights, Ferries, Eurotunnel)
- £100–£400 within Europe (ferry or cabin fees).
- £500–£1,500 for medium/long-haul flights (cargo hold or manifest cargo).
- Airlines may also charge per crate size/weight.
- Quarantine or Import Fees (if required)
- £100–£1,000+ depending on destination.
- Australia and New Zealand, for example, require quarantine stays on arrival.
- Pet Relocation Agency Fees (Optional)
- £500–£3,000 depending on destination.
- Covers professional handling of paperwork, flights, and customs clearance.
🐕 Example: Cost to Move a Dog to Europe
- Microchip & rabies: £80
- Animal Health Certificate: £150
- Ferry/Eurotunnel cost: £120
Total: ~£350
🐈 Example: Cost to Move a Cat to the USA
- Microchip & rabies: £80
- AHC or required paperwork: £150
- Flight as cargo: £800
- Crate: £70
Total: ~£1,100
🦘 Example: Cost to Move a Dog to Australia
- Microchip & rabies: £80
- Rabies titre blood test: £150
- Import permit: £200–£300
- Quarantine (10 days): £1,000+
- Long-haul flight: £2,000+
Total: £3,500–£5,000+
💡 Ways to Save Money on Pet Relocation
- Book early – Flights for pets sell out quickly, especially direct routes.
- Travel off-peak – Pet cargo costs can be cheaper outside summer/winter peak.
- Compare airlines – Some airlines charge significantly less for pet cargo.
- Handle paperwork yourself – Using a relocation service adds cost, though it reduces stress.
🏡 Don’t Forget About Your Household Move
While you budget for your pet’s journey, you’ll also need to move your belongings abroad. That’s where Advance Moves can help.
👉 Get a Quick Quote for your household removals here:
https://www.advancemoves.com/quickquote/worldwide
✅ Key Takeaways
- Moving pets abroad costs anywhere from £300 to £5,000+, depending on destination.
- Main expenses: microchip, vaccinations, Animal Health Certificate, flights, and possible quarantine.
- Long-haul destinations like Australia and New Zealand are the most expensive.
- Careful planning and early booking can save you money.