Animal Health Certificate For Travel 

Taking your Pet Abroad

Travelling to the EU or NI from Great Britain with your Dog, Cat or Ferret

A current EU pet passport issued in GB will not be valid for travel form 01/01/2021. You’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead of a passport. Please follow these steps:

  1. Your pet must be microchipped
  2. Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies – must be at least 12 weeks old
  3. Wait 21 days after the rabies vaccination to travel
  4. Visit the vets for an Official Veterinarian to issue the AHC within 10 days of travel
  5. You must take proof of your pets microchipping date and vaccination history
  6. This must be issued for the first EU country you enter, not the final destination

You no longer need the rabies titre blood test.

Animal health certificates are valid for:

  • 10 days after the date of issue for entry to the EU or NI
  • Onward travel within the EU or NI for 4 months from the date of issue
  • Re-entry to GB for 4 months after the date of issue
    • If you are returning after 4 months you will need to have a GB pet health certificate issued in the EU

If you are travelling with a dog directly from GB to Finland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta you must treat against tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before arriving. The vet must enter full details of this on the AHC after giving the treatment at the veterinary practice.

When arriving in the EU or NI you must enter through a designated Travellers Point of Entry (TPE). You can look these up on the European Commission website for each country. Youll need to present your AHC along with proof of your pets’ microchip, rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment if required.

You will need a new AHC for each trip to the EU or NI.

 

Returning to GB with your Dog, Cat or Ferret

Your pet must have one of the following documents when returning to GB from the EU:

  • A pet passport issued in the EU or a Part 1 listed third country
  • A pet passport issued in GB if prior to 01/01/2021
  • The AHC issued in GB that was used to travel to the EU within 4 months of issuing
  • A GB pet health certificate issued in the EU

You won’t need this documentation if entering GB from NI, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

You must travel via approved routes; these can be checked on the Gov.uk website.

You don’t have to travel on an approved route if entering GB from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.

Your dog must be treated for tapeworm by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before entering GB. You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re travelling directly to GB from Finland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.

 

Travelling with more than 5 pets or Commercial Pet Travel

There are different rules for travelling with more than 5 pets and for commercial pet travel e.g. buying and selling puppies. Please see the Gov.uk website or call the APHA for more information.

 

Pet Travel Helpline

Contact the pet travel helpline if you’re unsure about anything.

Email: pettravel@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03702411710                             
Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm (closed bank holidays)