Important Documents Required Before You Travel Abroad
Planning on travelling abroad with your pet? You are now required by law to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for your pet if you are to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland.
The Animal Health Certificate has replaced pet passports as the document you must carry with you if you are planning on travelling with your pet abroad.
Here at Eastcott Vets in Swindon, we can assess your pet and issue you with an AHC before you travel.
We recommend contacting us at least one month before your planned travel date to schedule your appointment, which will ensure that all paperwork is completed on time.
For the latest government guidance on pet travel and Animal Health Certificates, visit the official Pet Travel page or contact our team directly.
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What is an Animal Health Certificate?
An Animal Health Certificate is an official document that certifies your pet is fit to travel abroad to foreign countries. They are issued by an authorised veterinarian, who confirms that your pet meets all the necessary health and identification requirements for travel from Great Britain to the European Union (EU) or Northern Ireland.
Since 1st January 2021, pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland.
Instead, an AHC is now necessary for each journey. You can cover up to five pets with a single certificate. The AHC documents your pet’s microchip, rabies vaccination status, and overall fitness to travel. This allows officials to verify that your pet meets EU biosecurity standards, helping to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies.
The Animal Health Certificate is:
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Valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from the date of issue.
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Valid for onward travel within the EU or return to Great Britain for four months or until the date of expiry of the rabies vaccination whichever is sooner.
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Issued for a single trip into the EU. A new AHC will be required for each subsequent journey.
Please contact us if you need advice on the next steps to ensure your pet is prepared for travel.
How Do AHC's Differ From Pet Passports?
Before Brexit, pet owners in Great Britain could use EU pet passports for repeat travel to EU countries and Northern Ireland. These passports were issued and updated by UK vets, and they remained remained valid so long as vaccinations (especially rabies) were all up to date. However, since 1 January 2021, GB-issued pet passports are no longer accepted for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland.
Here's the key differences between the two since the change:
- Unlike the pet passport, which supported multiple entries, the AHC is valid for a single entry into the EU, onward travel within the EU for up to 4 months, and re-entry to Great Britain.
- A new certificate must be issued every time you travel from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland.
- AHCs must be issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days before travel, whereas pet passports were issued once and updated over time.
- AHCs are longer, more detailed documents compared to the compact pet passport booklet.
- Unlike pet passports, AHCs can cover up to five pets on one certificate.
Book a pet travel appointment at Eastcott Vets
Animal Health Certificates in Swindon
What are the Requirements for Obtaining an Animal Health Certificate in Swindon?
To get an AHC for travel from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland, your pet must meet several health and identification criteria:
1. Microchipping
Your pet must have a working microchip, which must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination. The chip number must be clearly recorded in your pet’s medical records.
2. Rabies Vaccination
Your pet must have received a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and after microchipping. This is required for all pets over 12 weeks old. If your pet is receiving a booster within the validity period of a previous vaccination, the 21-day waiting period does not apply.
3. Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only)
If you're traveling with a dog to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, or Norway, an approved tapeworm treatment must be administered 1 to 5 days before entry. This treatment must be recorded and signed off by a veterinarian in the AHC.
4. Appointment with an Official Veterinarian
Only a certified Official Veterinarian (OV) can issue an AHC. The certificate must be completed within 10 days of travel and must be written in the language of the first EU country you are entering (or be accompanied by a certified translation).
You’ll also need to enter the EU via an approved Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE).
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What Happens at an Animal Health Certificate Appointment?
At your pet's Animal Health Certificate appointment, your vet will make sure that your pet is fit for travel and meets all of the necesary criteria outlined by EU rules and regulations. Here's what to expect:
1. Microchip Verification
The vet will scan your pet’s microchip and confirm it matches the details in their records. If the microchip cannot be read or is missing, the process must be restarted with a new rabies vaccination.
2. Rabies Vaccination Check
The veterinarian will verify the rabies vaccine was administered at least 21 days before travel and is still within its validity period. You'll need to bring original vaccination records showing the date, batch number, and vet signature.
3. General Health Check
A basic physical exam is performed to ensure your pet shows no signs of infectious or contagious diseases and is fit to travel.
4. Tapeworm Treatment (if applicable)
For dogs entering countries that require tapeworm prevention, the vet will administer the treatment and record the exact time and date in the AHC. This must be done within the 24 to 120-hour timeframe before arrival.
5. Documentation Review and Completion
The vet will review all documents—microchip data, rabies vaccination proof, and travel details. They’ll then issue and sign the AHC, usually a multi-page form, tailored to the destination's language and requirements.
You should bring:
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Your pet
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Rabies vaccination certificate
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Microchip details
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Previous pet passport or AHC (if applicable)
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Details of your trip (travel dates, countries to be visited, point of entry)
To avoid last-minute issues, it’s strongly advised to schedule your appointment at least a month before travel.
How Much Does an Animal Health Certificate Cost?
For an up-to-date pricing guide, please consult our procedures and pricing page here.
Book Your Appointment With Eastcott Vets in Swindon Today
If you're confused about the regulations surrounding pet travel, or you're ready to book your pet's Animal Health Certificate appointment, contact Eastcott Vets in Swindon today. Our experienced local team is here to guide you every step of the way and ensure that you are perfectly prepared to travel abroad with your pet.
To ensure your pet meets all the legal travel requirements and is fit for flying, we recommend booking your AHC appointment at least one month in advance of your travel date.
Don't delay, call us on 01793 528341 or book online to schedule your pet’s travel appointment today.
