A health check is not required for an AHC, however we need to see the pet and scan the microchip before we can issue the document.
A tapeworm treatment is required for re-entry into the UK. This must be administered by an EU-based vet and recorded on your Animal Health Certificate between 24 and 120 hours (1–5 days) before arrival in the UK.
Some countries also require tapeworm treatment within the same 24 to 120-hour window before entry, including Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland.
Please note that tapeworm treatment is only required for dogs and does not apply to cats or ferrets.
We generally take bookings up to two months in advance. We recommend booking as soon as the rabies vaccination is completed and your travel date is confirmed. You will receive the certificate on the same day, and from that moment, you have 10 days to enter the EU. Please make sure that the appointment you book falls within the 10 days before your departure.
Animal Health Certificates are used for non-commercial movements of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets.
An Animal Health Certificate is a single use document that allows entry into the EU, as well as onwards travel within the EU for up to 4 months and return to the UK. It is only used for dogs, cats and ferrets. You will need a new certificate each time you travel.
The Animal Health Certificate is the replacement for the previously used PETS passports.
If you don’t travel with your pet but you will be reunited within 5 days we need to see proof of travel arrangements-flight/ferry/bus/train tickets
Your pet can also travel with an authorized person designated by you e.g. a friend.
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Be microchipped
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Have a valid rabies vaccination
After a pet’s first rabies vaccination, there is a mandatory waiting period of at least 21 days before an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) can be issued. The day of vaccination is counted as day 0.
If a booster vaccination is administered before the previous rabies vaccine expires, no waiting period is required.
Some rabies vaccines licensed in the UK have specific validity periods (e.g. 28 days or 1 month). To avoid any issues, we recommend vaccinating your pet at least 1 month before collecting the AHC.
Previously issued AHC OR rabies vaccination certificate signed and stamped OR vaccination card that contains pet’s and owner’s details, rabies vaccination details, record that the microchip was checked at the time of the rabies vaccination, full name and signature of the administering vet, practice stamp OR medical history emailed by the practice directly to info@ahcdirect.co.uk
An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is valid for 10 days from the date of issue (the collection date) for entry into the EU. It remains valid for onward travel within the EU and re-entry to the UK for a total of 4 months from the date of issue. The day of collection is counted as day 1.
After a pet’s first rabies vaccination, there is a mandatory waiting period of at least 21 days before an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) can be issued. The day of vaccination is counted as day 0.
If a booster vaccination is administered before the previous rabies vaccine expires, no waiting period is required.
Some rabies vaccines licensed in the UK have specific validity periods (e.g. 28 days or 1 month). To avoid any issues, we recommend vaccinating your pet at least 1 month before collecting the AHC.
An animal health certificate (AHC) can only be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) approved by the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). An appointment for this can be arranged by using our online booking system. Please do this well in advance of your travelling date.
No, we only need to know the first country of entry into the EU.
No, the certificate must be collected in person, and your pet must be present at the appointment.
Only the owner named on the certificate can collect it. We’ll also scan your pet’s microchip, so both you and your pet need to be present.
No, if you return to the UK, any new visits to the EU require a new AHC.