Since Brexit, the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) has replaced the UK pet passport for dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to the EU and Northern Ireland. If you are planning a pet journey in 2026, this certificate is the single most important document you will need. This guide explains what it is, how to get it, what it costs, and how it fits with door-to-door pet transport.

What Is an Animal Health Certificate?

An Animal Health Certificate is an official travel document issued by a UK Official Veterinarian (OV). It proves that your pet meets the EU entry requirements for:

  • Identification by microchip
  • A valid rabies vaccination
  • Tapeworm treatment for dogs returning to Great Britain

The certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland, and for four months of onward travel within the EU. It is also valid for re-entry to Great Britain within those four months.

Who Needs an AHC in 2026?

You need an AHC if you are taking a dog, cat, or ferret from Great Britain to:

  • Any EU country
  • Northern Ireland
  • Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland (check country-specific additions)

You do not need an AHC for travel from Great Britain to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or directly within the UK. If you are returning to Great Britain from the EU, your existing AHC covers re-entry as long as it is still valid.

Step-by-Step: How to Get an AHC

Step 1 — Check your pet's microchip

The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If your pet was vaccinated before being microchipped, the vaccination is not valid for travel and must be redone. Make sure the chip is readable and that the number matches your records.

Step 2 — Rabies vaccination

Your pet needs a rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old before the AHC can be issued. Puppies and kittens must usually be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated. Booster vaccines must be given before the previous one expires; if it lapses, the 21-day rule starts again.

Step 3 — Book an appointment with an Official Veterinarian

Not every vet can issue an AHC. You must use a vet who is authorised as an Official Veterinarian. Call your practice and ask specifically for an AHC appointment. Some practices require 24–48 hours notice because the certificate is long and detailed.

Step 4 — Bring the right information to the appointment

  • Your pet
  • Vaccination record, especially proof of rabies vaccination
  • Your travel dates and destination country
  • Details of any previous AHC or pet passport (if applicable)
  • The transporter's details if your pet is travelling without you

Step 5 — Collect the certificate and check every detail

The AHC is a multi-page document. Check that your pet's microchip number, your address, the destination country, and all vaccination dates are correct before you leave the vet. Errors at the border can cause delays or refusal.

Tapeworm Treatment for Dogs Returning to the UK

Dogs need a tapeworm treatment given by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before re-entering Great Britain. This is recorded on the AHC. Cats and ferrets do not need this treatment.

If you are travelling by road with PetVoyageUK, we can help coordinate this treatment with a vet along the route, usually in France, Belgium, or the Netherlands. The treatment must be administered and signed off by a vet; over-the-counter products do not count.

How Much Does an AHC Cost?

In 2026, UK vets typically charge between £80 and £180 for an Animal Health Certificate. The price depends on the practice, the complexity of the case, and whether additional vaccinations or blood tests are needed.

Remember: the AHC is per trip, not per year. Every time you re-enter the EU from Great Britain after the certificate has expired, you need a new one. Some frequent travellers find it more economical to leave a pet with family in the EU if they travel back and forth often.

Common AHC Mistakes to Avoid

  • Wrong microchip date: the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
  • Expired rabies vaccine: if a booster is late, the 21-day wait resets.
  • Last-minute booking: the certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel, but you also need the 21-day rabies gap.
  • Forgetting the tapeworm window: for dogs returning to the UK, the treatment must be 24–120 hours before entry.
  • Relying on an old UK pet passport: GB-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel to the EU.

How the AHC Works with PetVoyageUK Transport

When you book a door-to-door journey with PetVoyageUK, the driver carries the original AHC and presents it at Eurotunnel pet reception and at any EU border checks. If you are travelling with your pet, you remain with the document throughout. If your pet travels unaccompanied, we need a copy of the AHC in advance and the original with the pet on the day.

We recommend you book the vet appointment as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, then send us a clear scan of the certificate so we can check it against the route and destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Animal Health Certificate and do I still need one in 2026?

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is the document that replaced the UK pet passport for travel from Great Britain to the EU and Northern Ireland. In 2026 you still need one for every trip with a dog, cat, or ferret. It is issued by an Official Veterinarian in the UK and is valid for four months of onward travel within the EU and for re-entry to Great Britain.

How much does an Animal Health Certificate cost in the UK?

Prices vary by vet practice. In 2026 most UK vets charge between £80 and £180 for the certificate, plus any consultation fee. If your pet needs a rabies booster or microchip check, those are charged separately. The certificate itself is not a government fee; it is a private veterinary service.

How long before travel do I need the Animal Health Certificate?

The AHC must be issued no more than 10 days before you enter the EU or Northern Ireland. The rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days before the AHC is issued. Therefore, if your pet is not yet microchipped and vaccinated, start the process at least one month before travel.

Do cats need a tapeworm treatment for travel to Europe?

No. Tapeworm treatment is only required for dogs, and only when re-entering Great Britain. It must be given by a vet 24 to 120 hours before you return to the UK and recorded on the AHC. Cats and ferrets do not need tapeworm treatment.

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