If you wish to travel to EU or Northern Ireland with your pet from 1st January 2021 and return to the UK, a current EU Pet Passport issued in Great Britain will no longer be valid for travel. You will need to apply for an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
The AHC is valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from the date of issue. The AHC can be used for onward travel within the EU and/or return to the UK for up to 4 months from its issue. Travellers must access the EU via specific designated entry points. A new AHC must be issued for each subsequent trip into the EU.
To apply for an AHC
- Your pet must be microchipped. Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies (pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated).
You will need to wait a minimum of 21 days after the primary rabies vaccine before you travel so bear this in mind when you are planning your travel and appointment times.
- You must visit us with your pet to get an animal health certificate, no more than 10 days before travel
- If travelling to Finland, Malta, Northern Ireland, Norway or Republic of Ireland with a dog, it must have an approved tapeworm treatment, administered by a veterinary surgeon, between one and five days (24-120 hours) before arrival in these countries. This needs to be detailed on the pet’s animal health certificate by the veterinary surgeon.
How to get an AHC
An AHC can only be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). We have five OVs within our practice. Please book an appointment for a consultation, where we will carry out the health and microchip check, in the usual way, and bring your pet along with all previous vaccination records. We must see indisputable evidence of the rabies vaccination history if it was not done by our clinic e.g. a signed and stamped pet passport. After the consultation, the OV will prepare your AHC which will be available for later collection.
An AHC normally includes details of pet owner, pet description, rabies vaccination details (must have received primary rabies vaccination at least 3 weeks prior to the issue of AHC and, if applicable, booster vaccinations at intervals not exceeding 3 years), tapeworm treatment (if required). The AHC must be issued in the language of the country of entry into the EU and, as stated above, can be used for travel between EU countries (or return to the UK) for up to four months from the date your pet enters the EU.
How much does it cost to issue an AHC
- Implant microchip: £26.46 including VAT
- Rabies Vaccination: £58.24 including VAT
- Completion of AHC documentation: £187.12 including VAT
- Each additional animal added: £62.88 including VAT
- Consultation for health and microchip check: £38.00 including VAT
If you require any further information, please telephone the practice. Specific requirements for individual countries can be found by contacting the Animal Plant and Health Agency on 0370 241 1710
Click here to submit required information prior to AHC consultation
Please be aware, an Animal Health Certificate cannot be issued until more than 21 days after the initial rabies vaccination is given
