Guide

Bringing pets to Jersey

The paperwork is not the hard part. Making the paperwork, the crossing and the carrier's own rules line up on the same date is the hard part.

Written byEmma Warburton, Head of Relocations. Last updated 8 October 2026.

Start with the route

Two ways in: the ferry from the UK or France, or by air.

Ferry is the usual answer for a household move, particularly if you are already shipping a car. Operators set their own conditions — whether the animal travels in the vehicle, in an on-board kennel, or with you — and those conditions differ by operator and sometimes by sailing.

Air is possible and more constrained. The aircraft flying Jersey routes are small and animal capacity on them is limited. If flying is the plan, book it before you book anything else.

The paperwork

Microchipping, vaccination and the health documentation appropriate to where you are travelling from. Requirements differ by origin, and rules change; confirm the current position with Jersey’s animal health authorities and with your vet before relying on any list, including this one.

Why the sequencing is the difficulty

Individually, none of these steps is hard. The problem is that several of them have timing windows measured in days, and they all have to be valid on the date of the crossing.

A vaccination given too early or a treatment given too late invalidates the paperwork for a sailing that is booked and paid for. Meanwhile the sailing itself is tied to the removals schedule, and the removals schedule is tied to the completion date on a house. That date is not yours either: it waits on the housing permission your residential status carries, which is the link in the chain nobody checks before booking a crossing.

Work backwards from the crossing date. Book the sailing first, then work the vet appointments back from it, and build slack in — a delayed completion moves everything.

Restricted breeds

Jersey maintains its own rules on restricted breeds and they do not exactly mirror the UK’s. If there is any doubt about your dog, resolve it before the move is committed rather than at the port.

On the island

Dog licensing is administered through the parishes. Vets are good and there are several practices; register early rather than at the point you need one.

Beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, which vary by beach and by time of year — worth knowing before you choose a parish on the strength of a summer walk. The parish guide.

Questions on this

Is there a quarantine period?

For animals arriving from the UK and other approved places, generally no, provided the health requirements are met. Requirements differ by origin country, so confirm your specific route with Jersey's animal health authorities before booking anything.

Can pets travel on the ferry?

Yes, and it is the usual route from the UK. Carriers have their own rules about whether animals stay in the vehicle, in kennels or with you, and those rules vary by operator and by sailing.

What about flying?

Possible, and more constrained. Aircraft on the Jersey routes are small and animal capacity is limited, so book early and confirm directly with the airline.

What documents do I need?

Microchip, vaccination records and the relevant health documentation for your route. Some elements have timing windows measured in days, which is what makes the sequencing tight.

Are there breed restrictions?

Jersey has its own rules on restricted breeds and they are not identical to the UK's. Check before you commit to a move, not after.