What is an Animal Health Certificate and what are the requirements?

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is an official veterinary document required for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from the UK to the EU and Northern Ireland for non-commercial reasons. The certificate is issued by Official Veterinarians and must be done within 10 days of your trip.

To obtain an AHC, your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days beforehand. We will need proof of the rabies vaccination (which is explained in the next FAQ) and microchip number.

What proof of rabies vaccination do I need to provide?

• Existing pet passport: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/pet-passport

• Certified rabies certificate: The vet’s full name, signature, and practice stamp must be visible on the document and the SP number where applicable of an Official Veterinarian for rabies and microchip records to be certified. A validated document bears the vet’s personal name, signature, stamp and SP number. The records can therefore be authenticated with the vet’s credentials clearly indicated.

• Clinical history directly from your vet: Your pet’s Clinical Record needs to be sent via email directly by your vet for certification. Such a record should be complete with details regarding the sex, colour, breed, age, ID number, owner’s name and address. If we require clarification of any points we may contact your veterinarian.

• Non-certified documents like vaccine cards or receipts cannot be accepted. Accepted rabies proof documents must be certified by a vet to include signature, name, practice details and stamp.

How do I get an Animal Health Certificate for my pet?

To organise an AHC, first fill out our AHC which will ask you for some basic details. We can email this to you.

We'll follow up with some more questions about your travel plans. Once we sort out the details and payment, then we will then need to book an in person appointment which will need to be booked at least 21 days after your pet's first rabies vaccine and within 10 days of travel.

How Much Time Should I Allow to Get an Animal Health Certificate?

It's best to plan ahead – we suggest booking your AHC at least 3 weeks before you travel. This gives us enough time to gather all the necessary documents and prepare your certificate. Left it late? Our Urgent service can help if you’re within 7 days of travel.

Do I Have to Bring My Pet in Person, or Can the Certificate Be Sent Online?

By law we must scan your pet's microchip in person before issuing an AHC. We will also need to witness the owner signing the declaration so we are unable to post AHCs.

What If I Need to Change My Travel Plans?

We allow one free date change with advance notice. Additional or other administrative changes incur a small £20 admin fee. Changes within 2 weeks of visit may not be possible.

If you are unsure of your arrival date in to the EU when you are booking your AHC, please email us and we may be able to help you to mitigate any potential issues.

Does My Dog Need Any Special Treatment (Worming) for Travelling to Certain Countries?

Yes, tapeworm treatment is required 1-5 days before entering Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway or Malta: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/tapeworm-treatment-for-dogs

If you have an authorised worming treatment with you at the time of your booking we may be able to witness and update the AHC accordingly. This will need to be arranged prior to the appointment.

What If the Registered Owner Isn't the One Travelling With the Pet?

This is ok, we just need to know this information in advance. We'll need a signed letter from the registered owner and proof of the traveller's plans.

Can I still use my UK Pet Passport?

UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel. You need an AHC instead: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021

How long are rabies vaccinations valid for?

In the UK, most rabies vaccines are valid for 3 years. In the EU, rabies vaccines are usually only valid for 1 year regardless of brand.

Do I Need to Enter the EU Through a Specific Point?

Yes, pets need to enter through an approved Travellers Point of Entry. Check out the link for detailed information. https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/eu-legislation/non-commercial-non-eu/tpe_en.

How Many Pets Can Be Included on One Animal Health Certificate?

You can have up to 5 pets on a single AHC, as long as they're all owned by the same person.

How long is the Animal Health Certificate valid for?

The AHC is valid for 10 days after issue before arrival in the EU and then it's valid for 4 months travel within the EU.

What do I need to do before returning to the UK with my pet?

If you're unsure whether you need an AHC or an EHC please feel free to get in touch at info@leithvets.co.uk.

Export Health certificates are required for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling for commercial purposes to the EU. The following situations require an EHC:

They are intended to be sold or transferred to another owner

The number of dogs, cats and ferrets which accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single movement exceeds five (exceptions to this are described in 6.1 above)

The animal(s) will be travelling more than five days earlier or five days later than the owner or person who has authorisation (in writing) from the owner to carry out the movement of the animal.

If you're unsure whether you need an AHC or an EHC please feel free to get in touch at info@leithvets.co.uk.

EHC

Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling for commercial purposes to the European Union will need to be accompanied by an Export Health Certificate.

EU regulations stipulate that dogs, cats and ferrets are considered commercial imports to the EU, if the following conditions are met:

- They are intended to be sold or transferred to another owner

- The number of dogs, cats and ferrets which accompany the owner or an authorised person during a single movement exceeds five (exceptions to this are described in 6.1 above)

- The animal(s) will be travelling more than five days earlier or five days later than the owner or person who has authorisation (in writing) from the owner to carry out the movement of the animal

Owners need to create a government gateway user and then apply for an EHC via the government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-an-export-health-certificate.

All animals for export to the EU require microchip placement prior to a rabies vaccination and a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel. Some countries have additional specific requirements including blood testing. We require a consultation at least a month prior to issuing the EHC. The consultation is £55 in addition to the cost of the certificate which is £210. An additional health examination is typically required within 48hr of travel.

You can contact the APHA Centre for International Trade in Carlisle for more information.

Email: exports@apha.gov.uk

Telephone: 03000 200 301