Got questions about travelling with your pet to Europe? Here are the 20 most common questions we get asked, answered by our DEFRA Type 2 authorised pet transport team.
Updated April 2026
From 22 April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents. An AHC is now required for every trip.
Documents & Requirements
1. What documents does my pet need to travel to Europe?
Your pet needs: a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of travel, and tapeworm treatment for dogs (1-5 days before EU entry).
2. Is my old EU pet passport still valid?
Not if you live in England, Scotland, or Wales. Since 22 April 2026, GB residents must use an AHC. Northern Ireland residents can still use pet passports.
4. How long is an AHC valid?
Valid for entry to the EU within 10 days of issue. Then valid for up to 6 months for onward EU travel and return to GB.
5. Do cats need tapeworm treatment?
No. Tapeworm treatment is only required for dogs entering the UK. Cats and ferrets are exempt.
Eurotunnel & Travel
6. Can my pet travel through the Eurotunnel?
Yes. Pets travel in your vehicle through the Channel Tunnel. The crossing takes 35 minutes. Your pet stays in the car the whole time.
8. Is the Eurotunnel better than the ferry for pets?
Generally yes. Eurotunnel is faster (35 min vs 90+ min), your pet stays with you in the car, and there's no sea sickness risk. On ferries, pets must stay in the vehicle on the car deck.
9. Where is the pet reception at Eurotunnel?
At the Folkestone terminal, after check-in. You drive to the pet reception area where officials verify your pet's documents before you board.
10. Do I need to book the pet in advance on Eurotunnel?
Yes. You must declare your pet when booking your Eurotunnel ticket.
During the Journey
15. Can I travel with my pet?
Yes! Owners are welcome to accompany their pet at no extra charge. This is a personal pet chauffeur service.
16. Does my pet travel alone in the vehicle?
Yes. Unlike some companies that transport multiple animals, your pet gets a dedicated journey. No sharing with strange animals.
17. What about comfort breaks?
We stop regularly for water, exercise, and toilet breaks. On longer journeys (6+ hours), we typically stop every 2-3 hours.
18. Is the vehicle climate-controlled?
Yes. Temperature is regulated throughout the entire journey for your pet's comfort.
Booking
19. How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance, especially during peak summer months (June-September). However, we can sometimes accommodate last-minute bookings.
20. How do I get a quote?
Use our instant quote calculator — enter your pickup and destination addresses and get a guaranteed price in under 60 seconds. No account needed.
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Documentation Edge Cases We Get Asked About
"My pet's microchip was implanted in 2009 — is that still valid?"
Probably yes, but the chip must be readable by ISO 11784/11785 standard scanners. Pre-2011 chips were often non-ISO and may need replacing. Any UK vet can confirm with a quick scan. If the chip is non-ISO and unreadable, a new ISO chip can be implanted — but the rabies vaccination must then be re-administered after the new chip's date.
"My dog's rabies booster expired 2 days ago. Do I need to wait 21 days again?"
If the original primary rabies course was correctly administered and you have an unbroken booster history, a same-day booster usually re-establishes immunity without resetting the 21-day clock. Your OV will confirm based on the specific record. If the booster history has any gap, the 21-day waiting period applies.
"Can I get the AHC issued early and travel later?"
The AHC must be issued within 10 days of departure into the EU. It is then valid for 6 months for onward EU travel and re-entry to GB. So if you anticipate travelling within 10 days, you can prepare in advance.
Multi-Country Itineraries
"I want to go UK -> France -> Italy -> back to UK. Do I need multiple AHCs?"
One AHC covers the entire EU portion of the trip up to 6 months from issue. You only need a single UK-issued AHC for the outbound and a tapeworm treatment certificate (administered by an EU vet) within 1-5 days of UK return.
"What about Switzerland or Norway? They aren't EU."
Switzerland and Norway are part of the EU pet travel scheme — the same AHC applies. Outside the EU travel scheme (e.g. Serbia, Turkey, Morocco), each country has its own import requirements. Check with the destination's veterinary import service.
Edge Cases for Specific Pet Profiles
Puppies and kittens
Minimum age for EU travel is 15 weeks (12 weeks for the rabies vaccination plus the 21-day waiting period). Younger animals cannot legally travel under standard pet movement rules.
Pregnant pets
EU regulations don't prohibit travel during pregnancy, but most professional transporters (including us) decline to move pets in the final third of gestation due to welfare and emergency-care risks.
Senior pets with health conditions
Most senior pets travel without issue with proper preparation. Specific conditions worth discussing with your vet before booking: heart disease, advanced kidney disease, recent abdominal surgery, and severe arthritis affecting mobility.
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