Taking a Dog to Thailand from the UK in 2026: Everything you need to know

Dr Gemma Nash
Feb 9
4 min read

Taking a dog from the UK to Thailand is very achievable, but it requires advance planning, the correct vaccinations, a Thai import permit, and a UK Government Export Health Certificate issued within a strict timeframe. Your route also matters - Thai authorities require approval if your dog is not travelling directly.

At PassPets, we regularly assist owners travelling to Thailand and can issue the required Export Health Certificate (EHC 2917) through our Official Veterinarians. Below is a clear, step-by-step overview of what’s typically required.

Step 1: Microchip

Your dog must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785).

The microchip must be in place before any rabies vaccination used for travel ahd it must match all documentation exactly.

If your dog has a non-ISO microchip (for example, if microchipped outside the UK), you must check directly with the Thai authorities whether this will be accepted.

Step 2: Age requirement

Dogs must be at least 4 months old at the time of import into Thailand.

Rabies vaccination cannot be administered before 12 weeks of age, and we cannot issue the EHC unless the dog was at least 12 weeks old at the time of rabies vaccination.

Step 3: Vaccinations

Thailand requires proof of vaccination for key vaccines. Vaccination certificates must clearly show:

pet details including microchip number
vaccination dates
vaccine names and batch numbers
validity periods
Owner details should match the exporter details on the Export Health Certificate.

Rabies vaccination

Must be administered at least 21 days before the export date
Must be given in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines (e.g. 1-year or 3-year vaccine)
Mandatory if the pet has not been resident in the UK for the past 6 months or since birth

It may be possible to travel without rabies vaccination only in limited circumstances, but this must be confirmed by the owner with the Thai importing authorities, any transit country authorities and the airline, and the pet must have been continuously resident in the UK for at least 6 months or since birth.

Leptospirosis

You must either:

have a leptospirosis vaccination course in place (with the second vaccination administered at least 21 days before export unless a valid booster is in place, and within 12 months of export), or
if you do not wish to vaccinate, a leptospirosis blood test must be taken within 30 days of export, sent to Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, and must return a negative result for Leptospira canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae (serum agglutination test)

Where leptospirosis vaccination is used, the primary course must have been administered exactly 4 weeks apart, and boosters must be kept within the required schedule.

Canine DHP vaccines (at least 21 days before export)

Canine Distemper
Canine Hepatitis
Canine Parvovirus

Step 4: Thai import permit

An import permit is required to enter Thailand.

Timing rules:

apply no less than 7 days and no more than 60 days before the export date
import permits typically take around 3 working days to be issued

You will need to provide us with a copy of the approved import permit before your certification appointment.

Step 5: Export Health Certificate (EHC 2917)

Thailand requires a UK government-issued Export Health Certificate (EHC 2917) issued by an Official Veterinarian.

Timing rules:

the clinical examination must be within 72 hours (3 days) of export
there is no timestamp on the EHC, so the appointment can be any time within this 3-day window
your dog must arrive in Thailand within 10 days of the EHC being issued

At the EHC appointment, our OV will:

perform a clinical examination
check the microchip
review vaccination certificates and clinical history
issue the completed Export Health Certificate (assuming all requirements are met)

Appointments are available at our Havant, Bristol and London branches. Once booked in, you should apply for the Thai EHC via the UK Government website and confirm once submitted.

Step 6: Airline requirements and Fit to Fly (if applicable)

You must check directly with your airline whether they require a Fit to Fly certificate in addition to the Export Health Certificate.

Airlines may also have additional rules relating to:

brachycephalic breeds
crate specifications
number of pets travelling per passenger

If a Fit to Fly certificate is required, we can usually issue this alongside the EHC.

Step 7: Transit countries (and Thai approval for indirect routes)

If your route involves transiting through another country, additional documentation or approval may be required.

Common scenarios:

EU transit: an EU Animal Health Certificate or other documentation may be required
Non-EU transit: each country has its own rules

Thailand requires approval if your dog is not travelling directly to Thailand, so you must check with:

your airline
the authorities of any transit country
the Thai importing authorities

Where possible, we can issue additional certificates at your appointment.

Step 8: Returning to the UK (if applicable)

If you plan to return to the UK from Thailand, additional steps are required.

This typically includes:

a rabies blood test (rabies serology) taken more than 30 days after rabies vaccination
testing at a government-approved laboratory
confirmation with APHA whether a 3-month waiting period applies before re-entry to the UK

UK re-entry rules are strict and should be considered early in your planning.

How PassPets can help

Thailand travel requires multiple vaccinations, an import permit with a defined application window, and an EHC issued close to departure - plus extra care if travelling indirectly.

At PassPets, we: