Animal health Certificates (AHC's) and Pet Travel
Following our departure from the EU the Pet Passport is no longer valid for travel. You now need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) each time you travel within the EU. Both Patrick and Harriet are government licensed to issue an AHC if you and your pet plan to travel or live abroad. We are also able to provide certificates for export.
The process for taking your pet to countries within the EU is now as follows:
- Pets must be micro-chipped.
2. Pets must be vaccinated against Rabies – they must be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated. They must then wait 21 days before travelling.
3. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) must be signed by an Official Vet (OV) no more than 10 days before travel.
4. Tapeworm treatment is required for entry into Norway, Malta, Finland and Ireland, and return to the UK.
The AHC is a dual language certificate issued in English and the language of the point of entry into the EU, therefore it is important you let us know which country you are first travelling to within the EU.
To complete an AHC we need your pet’s micro-chipping date and Rabies vaccination history. We have to take copies of these documents for our records so it is important to bring paper copies, or email them to us well in advance of your appointment
The AHC is valid for:
– 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
– Onward travel within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue
– Re-entry to Great Britain for 4 months after the date of issue
Arriving in the EU
On arrival in the EU, pet owners travelling with pets will need to enter through a designated Travellers’ point of entry (TPE). At the TPE the original AHC must be presented along with proof of:
• The pet’s microchip
• Rabies vaccination
• Tapeworm treatment (if required)
Your pet will need a new AHC for each trip to the EU. To get a new health certificate, the pet must visit an Official Vet no more than 10 days before travel.
To enter the UK you will need either the AHC issued in Great Britain used to travel to the EU (which you can use up to 4 months after it was issued) or a UK pet health certificate (for travel into the UK only.)
More information on Pet travel is available at
https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/getting-an-animal-health-certificate-
If you are travelling to a destination outside the EU, travelling at a different time to your pet or relocating an animal to a new home abroad, different rules will apply.
If you have any queries or would like to make an appointment to discuss travelling abroad with your pets, please get in touch via email, PetsApp or call us on 01223 359 021.
Please note, at peak times demand for this service may be very high, so where possible please book well in advance of travel.
