Before travelling, customers who rely on a recognised assistance dog must follow these steps:
- Check your dog is fully Vaccinated and micro-chipped.
- Check your assistance animal documentation and make sure it’s correct and up-to-date here. From 1st January 2021, the rules for travelling to EU countries with your pet changed. If you already had an EU pet passport issued in GB prior to the 31st December 2020, then you can still use this document. As of the 01st January 2021, any assistant animal who did not previously have a pet passport prior to the 31st December 2020, will now need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate . You should start the process at least 4 months before you travel.
- Check your dog complies with the importation rules of the country you are travelling to.
- Get in touch with your airline at least 48 hours before you travel, to make sure they have the appropriate licence.
- Inform LLA of your flight details and send pictures of your assistance dogs documentation to [email protected]
Departing from LLA
When you arrive at the airport please go to our special assistance reception desk, where staff will be happy to help you. The Special assistance reception is located landside, near the terminal entrance doors and is clearly sign posted. If your assistance dog needs a "Service Animal Spend Area" then please speak to a member of the team upon arrival to the special Assistance reception.
A current EU pet passport issued in GB will not be valid for travel to the EU or NI from 1 January 2021. Find out more.
Arriving at LLA?
Prior to your entry back to the UK, please email a copy of your assistance animals documentation, as well as their proof of being a certified assistance animal, to [email protected]. Please include your return flight date, time and the destination you are flying in from in your email, so that we can prepare for your arrival.
Prior to your arrival into the UK:
Please provide a copy of your Animal Health Certificate or the pet passport pictures detailed below if you are travelling with an EU or GB pet passport, which was issued prior to the 31st Dec 2020.
The following pet passport pictures are required:
- the front cover
- dog description page
- owner details page
- passport issue page
- microchip page - You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.
- rabies vaccination page - more information.
- tapeworm treatment page - The treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you enter the UK. Your dog can be refused entry or put into quarantine if you do not follow this rule. More information.
- proof of being a certified assistance dog - more information.
This will help us with speedier checks upon entry and also help identify if all vaccinations are present for your return.
You must bring originals of all your pet’s documents, not photocopies.
Please note: only assistance dogs are allowed into the terminal buildings except for those animals travelling on flights.