The rules regarding pet travel to the EU changed in January 2021. UK pet passports are no longer valid for travel. Now, an individual Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required for each pet intended for travel. 

What is an Animal Health Certificate?

Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) are required for travel with any dog, cat or ferret.  An AHC is not the same as a pet passport. The main difference between the two is that AHCs are only valid for one trip to the EU, whereas pet passports could be used as long as you kept them up to date with relevant vaccinations.  As an AHC is only valid for one trip to the EU, you would need a new certificate for each time you travel. Whilst the AHC is valid for up to four months, you would need a new one if you exit the EU at any point in your trip.

Animal Health Certificates are only needed for trips within the EU. For travel outside of the EU, you would need an Export Health Certificate. 

Some vital things to know about the Animal Health Certificate are: 

• It must be completed within 10 days prior to travel.

  • NOTE: if travelling to Norway, Malta, Finland or Ireland, your appointment will need to be within 1-5 days before travel to allow tapeworm cover)

• It is a single-use certificate, i.e. for a single entry to the EU.

• It is valid for 4 months of onward travel within the EU and can be used to re-enter the UK 4 months from the date of issue

• You must bring a vaccine record as proof of valid rabies vaccination, this may be your old pet passport or a vaccine card. A copy of this will be made at the appointment.

• It must be filled out by an official veterinarian (OV). This is done at an appointment that both you and your pet must attend. This appointment may take upwards of 90 minutes (per certificate), owing to the level of detail required. As such it is important to try and get this appointment booked as far in advance as possible as we have limited available spaces.

We have OV's here at Orchard Vets who can not only provide Animal Health Certificates but are also happy to answer any queries you may have about your trip with your pet. Booking an appointment is easy - just give our friendly reception team a call!

The requirements for EU travel are as follows: (note this applies to dogs, ferrets and cats (though not Bengal or Savannah breeds))

• A microchip

• A valid rabies vaccination (and up-to-date booster vaccinations)

  • Please note that there is a 21-day wait after initial rabies vaccination (or restart vaccination) before travel is permitted. So it is vital to arrange this as soon as possible and to stay up to date with booster vaccinations.

• An Animal Health Certificate 

• Tapeworm treatment for dogs (only if you are travelling to Finland, Ireland, Norway or Malta). This will be administered at the AHC appointment.

  • Please note that for pets intended to return to the UK from any EU country, this treatment will need to be administered again and certified by a vet outside the UK no less than 1 day and no more than 5 days before return.

Existing UK passports are no longer valid for pet travel. Instead, an individual AHC is now required for each pet intended for travel.