Travel & Animal Health Certificates

Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Planning a trip to the EU or Northern Ireland with your furry friend? We are here to help make the paperwork as simple as possible so you can focus on enjoying your journey!

As of the latest regulatory changes in April 2026, Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) are now mandatory for all UK residents travelling to the EU with dogs, cats, or ferrets. Please note that:

UK residents can no longer use EU-issued Pet Passports.
An EU pet passport, issued to or held by a pet owner who is resident in GB, will no longer be a valid document for travelling with pets from GB to the EU. This applies to EU pet passports issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22nd April 2026.
EU pet passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union.

Here is everything you need to know to get your pet ready for their travels:

Key AHC Requirements

Before an Official Veterinarian (OV) can issue your certificate, your pet must meet a few essential health criteria:

Microchipping: Your pet must be microchipped.
Rabies Vaccination: Your pet needs a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before the AHC can be signed and issued.
Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only): If you are travelling directly to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway, your dog will require a tapeworm treatment administered by a vet 1 to 5 days before entry. (This is also required before returning to the UK!).
Timing: The AHC must be obtained no more than 10 days before your departure date.

How the Certificate Works

Validity Timelines: Your AHC is valid for 10 days for your initial entry into the EU or Northern Ireland. After entry, it is valid for up to 6 months for onward travel within the EU and for your return journey back to Great Britain.
Single Trip Entry: The certificate is valid for a single entry into the EU. A new AHC is required for every trip you take from the UK.
Family Travel: You can safely include up to 5 pets on the same AHC, provided the trip is for leisure and not for commercial purposes.
Travel Rules: To use an AHC, your pet must travel with you, or within five days of your own departure.

Destination Validity

AHCs are specifically designed for dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling to the EU, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, or Norway. If you are travelling elsewhere or with a different species, different documentation will be required.

Please feel free to reach out if you are planning a trip—we would be absolutely delighted to help you get all of your pet's travel documents sorted!

Frequently asked Questions

From time to time we get asked questions that are common between pet owners that are planning on travelling, so we have listed below some of these questions to help you understand the process and what is required before, during and on return from your travels.

We hope these are helpful and give you answers to any questions you may have.

Can I obtain a Pet Passport?

You may have seen recent news that the UK Government has agreed to begin negotiations with the EU regarding future pet travel arrangements. While we are very hopeful that this will eventually lead to the reintroduction of UK Pet Passports, this announcement simply marks the intention to start discussions. At this stage, there is no specific timeframe for when these talks will take place or what the final outcome will be.

What This Means for You Right Now

As Official Veterinarians, we are still awaiting formal guidance from the government regarding these potential changes. Current reports suggest that these negotiations will likely take many months, and there is always the possibility that an agreement may not be reached.

Because of this, the current travel rules remain firmly in place:

UK Pet Passports are not valid for travel to the EU.
EU Pet Passports are legally restricted to residents and citizens of the EU only.
Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) remain the mandatory travel document for all UK pets travelling to the EU.

When will UK Pet Passports be available?

We are closely following the recent news that the UK Government has agreed to open negotiations with the EU regarding future pet travel arrangements. While we certainly share the hope that these talks might eventually lead to the reintroduction of a streamlined UK Pet Passport, this announcement represents the very beginning of the process, and there is currently no set timeframe for its completion.

What This Means for Your Current Travel Plans

As Official Veterinarians, we operate strictly under active UK Government legislation and have not yet received any new operational guidance. Government ministers have indicated that these negotiations will likely take many months and, as with any international talks, a final agreement is not guaranteed.

Therefore, until we receive official instruction to the contrary, the current regulations remain firmly in place: all UK pets travelling to the EU must continue to travel with a valid Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

Do I need to enter the EU via a specific port?

When planning your route, it is important to know that you must enter the EU through a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE). You can click here to view the full list of approved locations. However, there is no need to worry - almost all major entry routes, including the Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover, and major international airports, are fully approved TPEs!

The Language on Your Certificate

Your Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is a bilingual document. It will always be printed in English alongside the official language of the very first EU country you enter—even if that country is not your final destination.

For example, if you are planning a lovely holiday to Italy, but you are driving and your first port of entry into the EU is in France, your AHC must be completed in French rather than Italian.

Tapeworm treatment - will my pet require it?

If you are travelling with a dog, there are a few specific tapeworm treatment regulations to keep in mind to ensure a smooth journey. Please note that these rules apply exclusively to dogs - cats and ferrets are entirely exempt!

Returning to Great Britain

Before re-entering Great Britain, your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment administered by a veterinary surgeon. This must be done within a strict time window: no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before your arrival time in GB. Without this recorded treatment, your dog will unfortunately be denied entry back into the country.

Visiting an EU Vet: Any licensed vet in the EU can administer this treatment and complete the relevant section of your travel documents. (For a French/English AHC, this section is typically found at the bottom of Page 4). When you visit the clinic abroad, just kindly ensure the vet is familiar with the paperwork and knows exactly where to stamp and sign.
Exemptions: You do not need this return treatment if you are arriving directly from Finland, Ireland, Malta, or Norway.

Short Trips to the EU (Under 120 Hours)

If your entire trip abroad and back will take less than 120 hours, you can actually have this tapeworm treatment administered right here in Great Britain before you depart!

Travelling TO Specific Countries

While you do not need a tapeworm treatment to exit Great Britain or to enter popular destinations like France, Spain, or the Netherlands, there are a few exceptions. If you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, or Norway, your dog will require a tapeworm treatment administered 24 to 120 hours before arriving in those countries.

If your travel plans require this pre-departure treatment, we would be more than happy to administer it for you.

How many pets can be included in a single AHC?

Great news if you have a multi-pet household - as you can conveniently include up to five pets on a single Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

To share a single certificate, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

Same Owner, Same Journey: All pets listed on the AHC must belong to the same person and must be travelling together on the same trip.
Mixed Species Welcome: Your pets do not need to be the same species! You are more than welcome to include a mix of dogs, cats, and ferrets on the exact same document.

Travelling with Friends or Family?

If you are planning a group holiday and travelling alongside other pet owners, please note that each individual owner will need to have a separate AHC issued for their own pet or pets.

If you have any questions about organising the paperwork for your furry family members, just let us know - we are always happy to help get everyone ready for the trip!

We understand that navigating travel documentation can feel complex, but please rest assured that our team is fully equipped to make the AHC process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you. If you have any questions, please reach out to us and we will be happy to help.

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