Adopting a “street dog” from countries like Romania, Spain, Greece, or Cyprus has become extremely popular in the UK. These dogs are often incredibly loving, but the process of bringing them into a British home comes with severe legal restrictions and significant medical risks that you must understand before committing in 2026.
The Post-Brexit Reality
Since Brexit, the UK operates as a “Part 2 listed third country.” The old EU Pet Passport system no longer functions easily for importing rescue dogs. Rehoming a rescue dog from the EU into the UK is legally classified as a Commercial Import.
- The rescue charity must use the UK government’s IPAFFS system to notify authorities 48 hours before the dog arrives.
- The dog must travel with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian in the country of origin.
- They must travel via an approved, licensed commercial transport route (Trace-registered in the EU and DEFRA-registered in the UK). You cannot simply drive over and pick the dog up yourself on a tourist ferry.
The Medical Crisis: Brucellosis (Brucella canis)
This is the most critical factor for UK adopters in 2026.
Brucella canis is an incurable bacterial infection prevalent in Eastern Europe. It causes reproductive failure, severe spinal pain, and lethargy in dogs. Tragically, it is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans (often causing flu-like symptoms, but it can be severe in the immunocompromised or pregnant women).
Because the UK historically did not have this disease, the influx of untested Romanian rescues caused a massive spike in UK cases. In response, strict laws were passed:
- Mandatory Testing (Since Oct 2025): All commercial dog imports from Romania into Great Britain must have two specific blood tests (ELISA and SAT) processed by a government-approved lab, returning negative results within 30 days of travel. If they test positive, they cannot enter the UK.
- UK Vet Refusals: Be aware that many UK veterinary practices now refuse to examine or treat any imported dog unless the owner provides documented proof of a negative Brucellosis test, to protect their staff from infection.
Mediterranean Diseases: Leishmaniasis
If you are adopting from Spain, Portugal, or Cyprus, the primary threat is Leishmania infantum, transmitted by sandflies.
- It is a chronic, often fatal disease that attacks the dog’s skin, liver, and kidneys.
- While not legally mandated for entry like Brucellosis is for Romania, a reputable rescue must blood-test the dog for Leishmaniasis (as well as Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, and Heartworm) before allowing you to adopt.
- Treatment in the UK is very expensive and is required for the rest of the dog’s life.
Choosing a Reputable Overseas Rescue
Never adopt from a Facebook page that offers to ship a dog to you immediately with no checks. A reputable charity will:
- Conduct strict UK-based home checks before approval.
- Provide full, transparent medical histories and blood test results (the “Mediterranean Panel” or “Brucellosis SAT”).
- Offer full “RBU” (Rescue Back Up)—meaning if the adoption fails, the charity has a UK-based foster network to take the dog back, rather than abandoning it to a UK pound.
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Jenkins, MRCVS
Dr. Jenkins is a fully practicing veterinary surgeon in the UK with over 15 years of clinical experience in small animal medicine and canine behaviour. She reviews and verifies our health content to ensure medical accuracy.