Pet Travel

Pet Travel Between Great Britain, the EU and Northern Ireland

If you're travelling with your dog, cat, or ferret between Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the EU, or between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (NI), there are important requirements you must follow.

Please note: Different rules apply when travelling to non-EU countries.

Important Update: EU Pet Passports

EU Pet Passports held by pet owners whose main residence is in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to EU countries or Northern Ireland from 21st April 2026.

An EU Pet Passport is only valid if the owner's main residence is within the EU.

Travelling to the EU:

Before travelling, your pet must have:

1. Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped before, or at the time of their rabies vaccination. The microchip must be readable.

2. Rabies Vaccination

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.

Pets must be at least 12 weeks old before receiving the vaccination.

You must wait 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination before travelling.

3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days before travel.

The certificate:

Is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into the EU.

Can be used for one trip only.

Remains valid for 6 months for onward travel within the EU.

Can be used for re-entry into Great Britain for up to 6 months, provided rabies vaccinations remain valid.

4. Entry Through an Approved Traveller's Point of Entry

You must enter the EU through an approved traveller's point of entry.

Tapeworm Treatment Requirements

Dogs travelling directly to any of the following countries must receive tapeworm treatment:

Finland

Republic of Ireland

Norway

Malta

Treatment Requirements

Treatment must be administered by a veterinarian.

It must be given between 1 and 5 days before arrival.

The treatment details must be recorded on the Animal Health Certificate.

Repeat Trips to the EU

Each Animal Health Certificate is valid for one outward journey only.

For subsequent trips:

A new Animal Health Certificate will be required.

Dogs travelling to Finland, Republic of Ireland, Norway or Malta will still require tapeworm treatment before each trip.

Pet Travel Document (PTD) - Travel to Northern Ireland

A Pet Travel Document (PTD) allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets to travel from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland without needing an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip.

Before you travel

Your pet must:

Be microchipped

Have a valid rabies vaccination

Meet any additional entry requirements that apply to your journey

Benefits of a PTD

Can be used for multiple trips between Great Britain and Northern Ireland while it remains valid.

Avoids the need for a new Animal Health Certificate for every journey.

Makes regular travel with your pet simpler and more convenient.

If you're unsure whether your pet needs a Pet Travel Document (PTD) or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), please contact DEFRA or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Booking an Animal Health Certificate Appointment

To obtain an Animal Health Certificate, you must book an appointment with one of our Official Veterinarians (OVs).

Please Book Early.

Payment Required at Booking

To secure your appointment slot, full payment is required at the time of booking.

Pre-Appointment Information Form

To help ensure your appointment runs smoothly, we will ask you to complete a Pet Travel Information Form before your visit. This allows us to gather the necessary information in advance and identify any issues before your appointment date.

Please click here to request a Pet Travel Information Form. Once completed and returned, we can review the details and prepare for your appointment.

We recommend providing as much notice as possible because:

Appointments typically last 30–45 minutes.

An Official Veterinarian must be available to complete and certify the documentation.

Country of Entry Information

Animal Health Certificates are issued in the language required by your first EU country of entry.

For example:

If you travel via the Channel Tunnel, your certificate will be issued in French, regardless of your final destination.

Required Documentation

We must see evidence of:

Your pet's microchip date.

Your pet's rabies vaccination record.

If these were not completed at our practice, please bring official documentation. Without this information, we cannot issue an Animal Health Certificate.

Our Recommendation

We advise discussing your travel plans with your vet at least one month before your intended travel date.

Returning to Great Britain with Your Pet

When entering or returning to Great Britain, your pet must have one of the following:

An EU Pet Passport issued in the EU (where the EU is your main residence), or a pet passport from another Part 1 listed country.

The Animal Health Certificate used for travel from Great Britain to the EU (valid for re-entry for up to 6 months after issue).

A GB Pet Health Certificate (for travel into Great Britain only).

Tapeworm Treatment for Returning Dogs

Dogs returning to Great Britain must receive tapeworm treatment:

Administered by a veterinarian.

Given 1–5 days before entering Great Britain.

Recorded on the Animal Health Certificate or in a valid EU Pet Passport.

Travelling to Non-EU Countries

If you are travelling outside the EU, we recommend that you contact DEFRA or the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) as early as possible to confirm the requirements for your destination country. In many cases, an Export Health Certificate may be required and additional preparation time may be needed.

pettravel@apha.gov.uk

Animal Health Certificate (AHC) - Pre-Appointment Information

(New rules effective from 22/04/2026)

Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) have replaced Pet Passports for non-commercial travel with pet dogs, cats, and ferrets from the UK to the EU.

Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before the date of travel. The AHC is valid for a single entry into the EU or Northern Ireland and must be used within 10 days of the date of issue. The form must be completed by the person travelling with the pet, and this person must attend the appointment in person with the pet.

Please note an important update effective from 22/04/2026. UK residents may no longer be able to use EUissued pet passports to travel from the UK into the EU unless they can provide proof at the border that their primary residence is within the EU. Based on current guidance, obtaining an Animal Health Certificate is the correct and recommended route for travel.

All animals must have a valid rabies vaccination in order to enter the EU. If the rabies vaccination was administered in an EU country, the client must request a rabies vaccination certificate in English from the issuing veterinary practice before an AHC appointment can be booked. This certificate must include the client’s full details, the pet’s details including microchip number, and full rabies vaccination information, including the vaccine brand, batch number, date administered, and expiry date. It must also confirm that the microchip was checked on the day of vaccination and include an official veterinary practice stamp showing the practice name and address.

The certificate must be sent directly from the issuing veterinary practice. Clients should request to be copied into the email so they can follow up if needed. We are unable to book an AHC appointment until this document has been received, and it remains the client’s responsibility to obtain and chase this documentation.