Pet Travel Advice
Travelling to the European Union, Southern Ireland, Northern Ireland or further afield with your pet?
The Vet Whitehaven are here to help for your Pet Travel. Please do give us plenty of notice however! It’s not a straight forward as it used to be!
If you are traveling to the European Union (EU) or Southern Ireland you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
A Current EU pet passport issued in GB is NOT valid for travel to the EU as of 1st January 2021.
Before your dog, cat or ferret can travel to the EU you will need to contact us to apply for an AHC.
Take Note
-If you do have an EU passport you should be able to travel from GB to the EU as long as Rabies is up to date.
If your pet is traveling to a non-EU country an Export Health Certificate (EHC) is required.
Every non-EU country has their own Import Pet Travel rules.
See www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad for UK government travel guidelines. It is important that you research the import requirements of your destination country first.
Do I need an AHC to travel to Northern Ireland?
As of June 2025, an AHC is no longer required however you have to apply for a lifelong pet travel document instead. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-northern-ireland for all requirements to travel to Northern Ireland.
What is required to be issued with an AHC for travel?
• Your dog, cat or ferret must be microchipped.
• Your dog, cat or ferret needs to be vaccinated against rabies (NB: your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated).
• You will need to wait 21 days after any primary Rabies vaccinations before you travel so bear this in mind when you are planning your trip to leave plenty of time.
How do I acquire an AHC?
An AHC can only be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV).
When you apply for an AHC, you will need to make an appointment and bring your pet to us, along with their vaccination and medical records including proof of rabies vaccination, to the issuing vet.
When you book an appointment, we will email you a questionnaire form to complete prior to your vet visit. This will contain vital information that you need to supply to us before the AHC can be issued. In some cases, we may need to contact a laboratory to confirm blood results.
An AHC normally includes details of:
• Pet owner’s details including name and address.
• Your pet’s description, date of birth and microchip number.
• Rabies vaccination details (your animal will need to have been vaccinated at least three weeks prior to the AHC appointment and have had a UK Rabies vaccine within the past three years)
• Rabies blood test (as required only for certain countries)
• Canine tapeworm treatment (as required depending on country of entry)
• Intended country of entry into the EU. (The AHC has to be issued in the language of the country in which you are entering the EU and NOT your country of destination)
Why is an AHC necessary?
An AHC, along with any other official documentation, is a legal requirement in order to bring your pet into the UK or take it to a European Union country without quarantine. The primary purpose is to keep the UK free from Rabies, and other foreign diseases such as those transmitted by parasites that do not exist in the UK.
Who can issue an AHC?
Your AHC can only be issued by a vet who has been authorised by the government (an Official Veterinarian).
Who can apply for an AHC?
The owner, as named on the AHC must be aged over 16. Pets must be accompanied either by their owner or by a person authorised in writing by the owner.
How much does an AHC cost?
An AHC costs £165-£305 depending how many pets you are taking with you. This includes the consultation examination of your pet and a hard copy of the AHC document. Your pet will need a microchip*, this will be checked in the consultation and a new one administered if they are not chipped or it is not working. If a Rabies vaccination* is needed, this will need to be repeated every three years to allow continual travel under the EU Pet Travel Scheme.
(*A new microchip and any vaccinations or medications required is not included in the AHC cost).
How long does it take to process an AHC?
An AHC can only be issued ten days prior to entry into the EU (i.e. you will have 10 days to use it to leave this country and enter another EU country). Please bear in mind that travel to some countries require blood tests and additional treatments, and in these cases, travel certification can take significantly longer to prepare and issue. You should always contact us as soon as possible if you are planning to travel.
How long is the AHC valid for?
AHC can be used for travel between EU countries for up to four months from the date of issue. You will require to hold onto this certificate for return to the UK as your pet will require a veterinary prescribed wormer before they re-enter the UK.
How old does my pet have to be to get their AHC?
The EU Regulation requires pets to be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. Whilst some EU countries will allow younger, unvaccinated pets to travel (subject to certain conditions), traveling pets to the UK does not permit this. This means no pet can enter the UK unless they are 15 weeks old (12 weeks plus the 21-day waiting period).
How many pets can one person apply for AHC for?
The owner or authorised person can only be accompanied by a maximum of five pets. You cannot take more than 5 pets to an EU country unless you’re attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. You’ll need written evidence of registration for the event when you travel.
Where do I need to go to for my AHC application appointment?
You can come to The Vet Whitehaven. All AHC appointments must be booked in advance by calling us on 01946 878108.
Where can I get pet travel advice from?
Contact The Vet Whitehaven. Lynn, will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have about travelling with your pet. Specific requirements for individual countries can be found by contacting the Animal Plant and Health Agency on 0370 241 1710.
You can read more about Animal Health Certificates and pet travel at www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad
Additional Information:
When traveling abroad to a warmer climate with your pet, we recommend your pets parasite treatment is up to date before you go and also before you return to the UK depending on the length of your visit.
We recommend preventative products for flea infestations, biting lice, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, demodectic mange, lungworm, roundworm, hookworm, heartworm and tapeworm.
We also advise an insecticide collar to help prevent sandfly bites as these biting flies can carry nasty diseases such a leishmaniasis
Please contact The Vet Whitehaven if you require these products to protect your pet for your travels.
