ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE (AHC)
UK to EU / N. Ireland
Pet travel information
𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟 from Wednesday 22 April 2026
GB residents who travel to the EU regularly with their pet, have been able to take advantage of a loop hole which has allowed them to obtain a pet passport in Europe or Northern Ireland and use this, instead of applying for an AHC each time they travel.
THIS IS CHANGING ON WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2026!
From Wednesday 22 April. 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 22 April 2026. EU pet passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union.
Therefore, GB residents travelling to the EU with a pet dog, cat or ferret 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗔𝗛𝗖) 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮𝟮 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
A Pet Passport is no longer valid for travel in the EU and Northern Ireland. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is now required. The AHC must be issued and your pet(s) examined within 10 days* of departure.
The total cost of an AHC certificate is £214.81 for one animal, including a non-refundable £22.28 admin fee which enables us to begin the application process. This £22.28 will charged on return of your completed application form. The remaining £192.53 will be payable upon issue of the AHC at your 30 minute appointment. Additional animals (max. 5 animals in total) are charged at £76.32 per animal
Things you need to know…
-
Your pet must be microchipped.
-
Your pet must have a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travelling and the expiry of rabies vaccination must be later than your return journey to the UK (if applicable).
-
You will need to complete an AHC application form, which will need to be returned to us for processing.
-
Once your application process has begun, you will be contacted by our admin team and a 30 minute appointment will be arranged with you. This will need to be within 10 days* of intended travel with an Official Veterinarian who will check over your animal and issue the AHC. The person travelling with the animal will need to attend this appointment.
Planning Repeat trips to EU/N. Ireland?
-
Your pet will need a new AHC for each trip to an EU country/Northern Ireland.
-
Your pet will not need a repeat rabies vaccination as long as the rabies vaccinations are up to date.
-
Your dog will need tapeworm treatment for each trip if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway.
*If your EU point of entry is either Malta, Finland, Ireland, N. Ireland, Norway, Tapeworm treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you arrive.
An AHC is a lengthy legal document which requires some time for our admin team and the Vet to bring together.
Please ensure you allow enough time before your travel to ensure your AHC can be processed in time for your travel.
If you require an AHC, please call us on 01277 823986