Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) replaced pet passports in 2021 and will be needed if you’re planning on taking your pet abroad with you.

If you have a GB-issued pet passport, it is no longer valid for travel into the EU. However, it can support the information required on the AHC. You will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead.

EU-issued pet passports are still valid if the latest rabies vaccination was administered by an EU vet and is still in date. If the rabies vaccination status has expired or was administered by a UK vet, the passport would not be valid, and an AHC would be needed instead.

You can apply online for an AHC with a few details from your vet, including your pet’s vaccination and microchip status. You’ll need to attend an appointment so your pet’s microchip can be scanned to confirm the information you’ve provided. Once the details have been confirmed, you’ll be issued with your certificate for travel.

You’ll need to get your AHC within 10 days of your date of travel. After this point, the certificate allows you to travel within the EU for up to four months, as long as your pet’s vaccinations don’t expire within this time.

We offer a click & collect service which allows you to attend your appointment and collect your certificate on the same day. Once you’ve applied online, you’ll be able to book your appointment for as soon as two days later.

We issue AHCs which permit your pet to travel within Europe for up to four months after the issue date. If you’re travelling back to the UK from another country outside of these four months, you’ll need to consult local law and requirements.

You won’t need individual certificates for each of your pets; you can travel with up to 5 pets per certificate.

An Animal Health Certificate can only be used for leisure travel, such as taking a pet on holiday with you. An AHC will not be valid for commercial or business travel, for example animals to be sold, or those participating in commercial competitions.