Question 1

What are the requirements to get an Animal Health Certificate?

Accepted Answer

Your pet needs to have been microchipped and to have had a rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination needs to have been administered at least 21 days before your appointment with the vet who is issuing the AHC, and you will need a document showing proof of the rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination does not have to be administered by the vet that issues the AHC - any vet can administer this. The proof of rabies document can be in the form of a vaccination card, a vaccination certificate, an old pet passport, or your pet's clinical history from your vet. The routine, annual vaccinations are not required to travel to the EU, however we would advise to keep these up to date anyway.

Question 2

How long does it take to get an Animal Health Certificate?

Accepted Answer

Different vets have different processes and timescales for issuing Animal Health Certificates, however all vets must wait 21 days following the rabies vaccination, before they can issue an AHC (unless it is a booster rabies vaccination given before the previous rabies vaccination had expired). At PassPets, we try to make it as simple and hassle free as possible: 1. Check your pet is eligible - see requirements above.  2. Book an appointment with us - this needs to be at least 21 days after your pet's rabies vaccination and within 10 days of your travel date. 3. Complete our pre-appointment form which we'll send you via email.  4. Come to your appointment and we'll issue the AHC there and then.

Question 3

What else do I need to do before I travel?

Accepted Answer

If you are taking a dog directly to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway or Malta then you will need to take the dog to a vet in the UK between 1 and 5 days (24 and 120 hours) before you are due to arrive in that country, for the vet to administer tapeworm treatment and record this in the AHC. At PassPets, we can administer and record the tapeworm treatment at the same time as we issue the AHC, provided the appointment is between 1 and 5 days before you enter Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway or Malta. If you are taking a dog to any other country in the EU, then you do not need anything else before you travel, other than the Animal Health Certificate.  If you're taking a cat or ferret, you do not need anything else other than the AHC.

Question 4

What do I need to do before I return to the UK?

Accepted Answer

For dogs, you will need to take them to a vet in the EU between 1 and 5 days (24 and 120 hours) before you are due to arrive back in the UK, for the vet to administer tapeworm treatment and record this in the AHC. You will be asked to show the AHC (with the tapeworm treatment recorded) at the border when you arrive back in the UK. The above does not apply for dogs travelling back directly from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway or Malta as the dog will have already had tapeworm treatment before going out.  For cats or ferrets, there are no additional requirements to come back to the UK. You will just need to show the Animal Health Certificate at the border when you return.

Question 5

How long is the Animal Health Certificate valid for?

Accepted Answer

From the day the Animal Health Certificate is issued, you have 10 days to depart on your trip. The Animal Health Certificate is valid for 4 months of onward travel within the EU, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever date is earlier. However, if you leave the EU (for example, to return to the UK), then you would need another AHC in order to re-enter again. See here for more information on validity of Animal Health Certificates. Your pet will not need to have a repeat rabies vaccination each time as long as it is up to date.

Question 6

How much does an Animal Health Certificate cost?

Accepted Answer

Prices for AHCs vary by vet practice.  At PassPets, for our standard AHC service (i.e. more than 2 days notice), we charge £99 for the first pet, plus £50 per additional pet. We do not charge a consulting fee.

Question 7

Can I get an AHC online or via post?

Accepted Answer

In order for any official veterinarian to issue an Animal Health Certificate they need to physically scan the microchip of the pet each time they issue a certificate, so issuing AHCs online or via post is not allowed.

Question 8

How long do rabies vaccinations last for?

Accepted Answer

Rabies vaccination validity periods differ by the manufacturer of the vaccine and the country where it was administered. If the brand of your pet's rabies vaccination was Nobivac, Canigen or Versiguard, and it was administered in the UK, then it is valid for 3 years from the date it was administered. If the brand was Rabisin, then it is only valid for 1 year, unless it was a booster Rabisin rabies vaccination (i.e. administered before the previous Rabisin vaccination had expired), in which case it is valid for 3 years. If your pet's rabies vaccination was administered in the EU, then it is most likely valid for one year only, regardless of which brand that was administered.    If you are not sure whether your pet's rabies vaccination is still in date, contact your vet practice as they should have it on their record.

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Animal Health Certificates (AHCs)

Animal Health Certificate Requirements and FAQs