Animal Health Certificates
To travel to EU countries, your pet will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
Since April 2026, you can no longer use an EU or NI issued pet passport if your main residence is within the UK.
AHCs can only be used for one trip into the EU and are valid for entry into the EU within 10 days of issue. They are then valid for up to six months of travel within the EU, and for your return to the UK within that time limit, as long as your rabies vaccination remains valid.
To apply for an AHC, you must arrange for your pet to be examined by a vet who has been approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to issue the certificates.
They are known as an Official Veterinarian (OV) and you should check that the vet practice you use has an OV – if not, they may be able to suggest one.
The OV must examine your pet no more than 10 days before you travel, so contact your vet practice well in advance so you can be sure an appointment will be available.
An AHC is at least an 11-page document, so please allow time for your vet to complete it.
Your pet must be up-to-date with their rabies vaccination before an AHC can be issued.
Vaccinations must have been started at least 21 days prior to completion of the AHC. Pets must be over 12 weeks old when vaccinated for rabies for an AHC.
If you are travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Norway, Malta or Northern Ireland (if using an AHC rather than a NIPTD), your pet must also be given a tapeworm treatment, no less than 24 hours and no more than five days before you are due to arrive.
In other EU countries, you’ll need to see a vet in the country you are visiting to have a tapeworm treatment administered one to five days before you return to Great Britain.
Up to five pets can be added to an AHC, and the rules for travel apply to assistance dogs.
It is very important to have all the correct paperwork in place, with all the relevant information correctly filled out, otherwise your pet will not be able to travel.
It can be a complicated process, but your veterinary practice should be able to help. The government also offers guidance and has phone and email helplines that you can contact.
If your main home is within the EU or Northern Ireland, please be aware that UK vets are not allowed to enter anything other than details of worming treatments into EU pet passports. Therefore, rabies vaccinations must be done by EU vets when you are at home.
