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FAQs

Your Pet Travel Questions Answered:

Guidance on Animal Health Certificates, pet travel requirements and EU travel

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Before Booking

What is an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is the official document your pet needs to travel from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to EU countries.

It confirms that your pet meets the EU's health and vaccination requirements for travel following Brexit.

An AHC is required for each new trip from Great Britain to the EU.

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Which pets need an AHC?

AHCs are used for:

  • Dogs

  • Cats

  • Ferrets

travelling from Great Britain to EU countries.

If you are travelling only to Northern Ireland, different rules may apply under the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme (NIPTS).

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How long before travel should I book?

We recommend planning as early as possible.

Although the AHC itself is generally issued within 10 days of travel, your pet may need:

  • A first rabies vaccination

  • Rabies boosters

  • Tapeworm treatment arrangements

  • Previous records checked

During school holidays and summer periods, appointments can book up quickly.

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When can the AHC be issued?

The AHC must be signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) no more than 10 days before you enter the EU.

For example:

  • If you are travelling on 20th August, your AHC can usually be issued from 10th August onwards.

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What do I need to do before my appointment?

Before your appointment, please email:

  • Clear scanned copies or photographs of your pet's vaccination and travel documents

  • A completed AHC information form

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Your vaccination record or pet passport must clearly show:

  • The microchip number

  • The most recent rabies vaccination

  • Vaccine batch number

  • Confirmation that the microchip was scanned at the time of rabies vaccination

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Images must be clear, complete and readable, including:

  • Dates

  • Vaccine stickers

  • Batch numbers

  • Signatures

  • Stamps

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Poor quality or incomplete images may delay preparation of your paperwork or prevent an AHC from being issued.

Please also ensure that all travel details are correct, including:

  • Dates of travel

  • Destination countries

  • Any countries you are travelling through

This is especially important if you are visiting multiple EU countries.

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What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Please bring:

  • Your pet

  • Original vaccination records or pet passport

  • Any previous travel paperwork

  • Confirmation of your travel plans if requested

Your pet's microchip will be checked at the appointment before the Animal Health Certificate is issued.

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I've lost my pet's vaccination records. What should I do?

Contact the veterinary practice that administered the vaccinations as soon as possible. They may be able to provide replacement records or copies of the vaccination history.

An Animal Health Certificate cannot be issued without appropriate evidence of a valid rabies vaccination.

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I'm travelling in less than 21 days. Can my pet still travel?

Possibly.

If your pet already has a valid rabies vaccination that has not expired, travel may still be possible.

However, if your pet requires their first rabies vaccination, or their previous vaccination has lapsed, EU rules require a waiting period of 21 full days after vaccination before travel.

Please contact us as soon as possible so we can assess your individual circumstances.

Rabies & Microchips

​Does my pet need a microchip?

Yes. Your pet must be microchipped before their rabies vaccination is given.

For an Official Veterinarian (OV) to legally issue an AHC, the microchip must have been scanned and recorded at the time the rabies vaccination was administered.

The microchip number must:

  • Match all vaccination and travel documents exactly

  • Be readable at the AHC appointment

  • Have been correctly recorded in the rabies vaccination record

If the rabies vaccination was given before microchipping, or if the microchip was not properly checked and documented at the vaccination appointment, the rabies vaccination may not be considered valid for EU travel.

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Does my pet need a rabies vaccination?

Yes. Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination before an Animal Health Certificate can be issued.

For a first rabies vaccination:

  • Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old

  • The microchip must already be implanted before vaccination

  • You must wait 21 full days after vaccination before travelling

Booster vaccinations usually do not require another waiting period, provided they have been kept continuously up to date without lapsing.

If the rabies vaccination expires, your pet may need:

  • A new rabies vaccination

  • Another 21-day waiting period before travel

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Can I still use my old UK pet passport?

No. UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU.

They may still contain useful vaccination history, so please bring them to your appointment if you have one.

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Can I use an EU pet passport instead of an AHC?

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you should no longer rely on an EU pet passport for travel to the EU, even if the passport was originally issued in an EU country.

Great Britain residents travelling to the EU should obtain an Animal Health Certificate for each trip.

An EU-issued passport may still be accepted for returning to Great Britain, provided the rabies vaccination remains valid.

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My rabies vaccination record doesn't mention the microchip. Can I still get an AHC?

Possibly, but additional evidence may be required.

EU pet travel rules require the rabies vaccination to be linked to the pet's microchip. If the vaccination record does not clearly show that the microchip was checked at the time of vaccination, the vaccination may not be accepted for travel.

Please send us a copy of your records before booking and we can advise on the options available.

Travel Requirements

How long is an AHC valid for?

Your pet's Animal Health Certificate is valid for:

  • Entry into the EU within 10 days of issue

  • Travel within the EU for up to 6 months

  • Return to Great Britain within 6 months

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However, this does not mean you can use the same certificate for multiple holidays.

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Once you return to Great Britain, the AHC cannot be reused for another trip to the EU — even if it is still within the 6-month validity period.

A new AHC is required for every new departure from Great Britain to the EU.

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Can I visit multiple EU countries on one AHC?

Yes.

Provided your pet first enters the EU within the validity period of the certificate, you can travel onwards to other EU member states using the same AHC.

Please tell us about all countries you intend to visit, including any countries you will travel through, when completing your paperwork.

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Do dogs need tapeworm treatment?

Some countries require dogs to receive tapeworm treatment before entry, including:

  • Republic of Ireland

  • Northern Ireland

  • Finland

  • Malta

  • Norway

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The treatment must:

  • Be given by a vet

  • Usually be administered between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival

  • Be correctly recorded in the travel paperwork

This requirement applies to dogs only.

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Do dogs need treatment before returning to the UK?

Yes. Dogs returning to Great Britain from the EU generally require tapeworm treatment before re-entry.

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This treatment must:

  • Be given by an EU vet

  • Usually be administered between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival into Great Britain

  • Be officially recorded in your pet's paperwork

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Cats and ferrets do not require tapeworm treatment.

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How many pets can travel on one certificate?

Non-commercial pet travel rules usually allow up to five pets to travel together with their owner or authorised person.

Different rules apply for:

  • Commercial movements

  • Sales or rehoming

  • More than five pets travelling together

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Can someone else travel with my pet?

Yes. Your pet can travel with an authorised person instead of the owner.

However:

  • The owner and pet must travel within five days of each other

  • Different rules apply for commercial transport or relocation services

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Can I travel to Northern Ireland with an AHC?

If you are travelling directly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, you may be eligible to travel under the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme (NIPTS) instead of using an AHC.

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However, if you are travelling onward into the Republic of Ireland or another EU country, standard EU pet travel rules and an AHC will still apply.

Appointments & Services

Where do appointments take place?

Appointments can take place at my home in Southampton or, by arrangement, I can travel to your home.

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Home visits may be subject to an additional fee depending on location.

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How long does an appointment take?

Most appointments take approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on the number of pets travelling and the complexity of the travel plans.

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What are your fees?

Please contact me for current pricing.

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Fees vary depending on the number of pets travelling and whether a home visit is required.

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Why choose an Official Veterinarian (OV)?

Animal Health Certificates can only be issued by an Official Veterinarian authorised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

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I can guide you through the requirements, review your documentation in advance, and help ensure your paperwork is completed correctly before you travel.

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