Moving to Jersey, Channel Islands with a dog, cat or ferret

From France, the rest of the EU or further afield the full pet travel rules apply: a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, a pet passport or animal health certificate, tapeworm treatment for dogs one to five days before arrival, and an approved carrier. Once here, every dog aged six months or more needs a parish licence, £10 a year if bought by 31 January (2026). From 1 May to 30 September dogs must be on a lead on beaches between 10.30am and 6pm.

Can I take my dog to Jersey from the UK?

Yes, with no formalities. Gov.je says there are "no official health requirements" for pet dogs, cats or ferrets travelling between Jersey and the UK (including Northern Ireland), the Isle of Man or the other Channel Islands. A few conditions still apply.

• Pets from abroad must first have entered the UK legally.
• Carriers. Any airline or ferry operator that agrees to carry your pet may do so. On a private boat or plane you must not stop at a foreign port on the way.
• Microchips. Gov.je notes the UK requires all dogs older than eight weeks to be chipped, so a dog from Britain should already have one. Update the database with your new address.
• GST. A pet brought to live here counts as an import. The relief for people moving their home covers household pets owned for at least six months, on the same conditions as furniture (GST Direction 2026/03, from 11 May 2026). Otherwise gov.je says GST may apply if the pet, freight and insurance together cost more than the personal allowance, which was £390 for travellers on commercial transport in October 2026. A rescue animal needs a valuation.

Restricted dog types

Since 24 February 2024 a licence has been needed to bring XL Bully, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa or Pit Bull Terrier type dogs into or out of Jersey, and gov.je says only resident dogs returning to the island are eligible for an import licence. Breeds with XL Bully characteristics, such as American Bulldogs and Cane Corsos, may also need one. If in doubt, ask the Government's Animal Health and Welfare team before you book (01534 441600, [email protected]).

Bringing a pet from France, the EU or elsewhere

Different rules apply to dogs, cats and ferrets arriving from outside the British Isles, and gov.je warns the process "can take several weeks or even months", so contact the Animal Health and Welfare team early.

Tapeworm treatment must be recorded by the vet with the product, date and time. Dogs travelling directly from the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway are exempt, and cats and ferrets never need it. The owner must travel with the pet or within five days of it and sign a declaration that the move is not commercial.

From countries not on the listed countries schedule, pets also need a rabies blood test at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before travel. Pets that fail checks on arrival are refused entry, quarantined or sent back, at the owner's expense.

Two dated warnings from gov.je: from 1 January 2026, DFDS has had only limited space for pets travelling with foot passengers between St Malo and Jersey; and in December 2025 the Government reported people buying puppies and kittens in the EU being turned back with invalid or fake pet passports.

Getting here: ferries and flights

By ferry. DFDS runs the island's ferries. In October 2026 its Jersey page said pets are welcome on the Poole and Portsmouth routes, must be booked in advance and are charged per pet each way. The Poole route was closed for the winter until April 2027. Arrangements change: in February 2025 DFDS reversed a plan to stop pets staying in cars on the overnight Portsmouth sailing after objections from owners, so check the current options when you book.

Ports of Jersey says all pets must be at least 15 weeks old on the Jersey and St Malo routes. Tell the operator about your pet when you book and at check-in, walk your dog before the terminal, and pack food and water. After check-in, dogs can be walked on a lead near your vehicle until boarding.

By air. Gov.je says airlines set a minimum age of eight weeks and may ask for a vet's fitness to travel certificate, so check the airline's policy before booking. Loganair said in October 2026 that pets travel in the hold at £50 one way, puppies must be at least 12 weeks old, and at Jersey Airport dogs must stay crated in the terminal and wear a muzzle at security.

If you use a pet transport company, gov.je says commercial carriers need a welfare during transport authorisation.

The dog licence and other rules

Under the Dogs (Jersey) Law 1961, every dog aged six months or more must be licensed each year with the parish where you live. In 2026 the fee was £10 per dog if renewed by 31 January, or £20 after that. You can apply through your Parish Hall or online through the Comité des Connétables. Guide dogs for blind or deaf owners are exempt.

• Collar. In public your dog must wear a collar or harness showing its name and licence number, under the 2026 parish rules (owner contact details remain acceptable for dogs licensed before 2 December 2025); a microchip alone is not enough.
• Moving house. Tell your parish within seven days of a change of address.
• Strays. Gov.je listed charges of £60 per dog for collection plus £18 a day for housing in October 2026.

Dogs on the beach

Gov.je says the summer rule comes from the Policing of Beaches (Jersey) Regulations 1959. You must clear up after your dog and can be fined if you do not. In parks the rules vary, so check the signs.

Vets

Pet care in Jersey is private. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Find a Vet directory lists practices by location: register in your first weeks, bring vaccination records and ask how out-of-hours emergencies work. The Animal Health and Welfare team handles travel and import rules, not treatment. If you plan trips to France, gov.je reminds owners that dogs coming back from the EU need tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival.

Renting with a pet

There is no legal right to keep a pet in a rented home. The Minister for Housing's guidance of March 2025 says "There is nothing under the RTL that makes pet ownership a right within tenancy agreements", but it also says tenants should be able to keep pets unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse, such as an unsuitable property or a restriction in the landlord's own lease. It allows landlords to ask for an extra deposit, contents insurance covering pet damage or a professional clean when you leave.

Put your request in writing before you sign, with the animal's type, breed, age and vaccination history, and get any consent written into the agreement. Newcomers with Standard status choose from a small pool of Registered homes, as our renting guide explains, so start early.

Frequently asked questions