How much does an Animal Health Certificate cost?

Animal Health Certificates for European travel start from £195 when booked at least 10 days in advance. Returning clients receive a discounted rate of £165. Bookings made less than 10 days before travel incur an urgent fee due to the expedited processing required. This includes full veterinary examination, microchip scanning, certificate completion and signing, and expert guidance on travel requirements.

How far in advance should I book my pet's travel certificate?

We recommend booking at least 7 days before your travel date to ensure we can fulfill your appointment and complete all necessary documentation on time. The actual health certificate examination must be done within a specific timeframe before departure, typically within 10 days for European travel. Contact us as soon as you know your travel dates for guidance on the complete timeline for your specific destination.

What's the difference between an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) and Export Health Certificate (EHC)?

Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) are specifically for pet travel from the UK to European countries (EU member states, plus Norway, Switzerland). The process requires rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, microchipping, and a veterinary examination within 10 days of departure. Export Health Certificates (EHCs) are required for travel from the UK to countries outside Europe (except the USA). These certificates can be more complicated, often requiring additional preparations such as blood tests, extra vaccinations, and longer preparation timelines.

Do you offer home visits in London?

Yes! We provide convenient home visit services throughout London. We come directly to your door to perform all necessary examinations, microchip scanning, and certificate completion—saving you time and reducing stress for your pet. Our appointments are quick and efficient, typically lasting no more than 20 minutes.

Does my pet need a rabies vaccine to travel?

Yes, for most destinations. Rabies vaccination is a standard requirement for international pet travel. For European travel, vaccination must be at least 21 days before departure. For USA travel, while not required by the CDC for entry, we strongly recommend vaccination at least 30 days before departure as most US states require current rabies vaccinations. Your pet must be microchipped before receiving their rabies vaccination for it to be valid for travel purposes.

How long is an Animal Health Certificate valid for?

Your Animal Health Certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for departure from the UK. This means you must leave the UK within this 10-day window. For your return journey to the UK, your pet can re-enter as long as their rabies vaccination remains valid (typically up to 3 years), or for a maximum of 4 months from the date the AHC was issued—whichever comes first.

Dog Tapeworm Treatment for Returning to the UK: What You Need to Know

Travelling abroad with your dog is more popular than ever, but getting them home again isn't as simple as booking a return ferry or flight. If your dog is travelling on an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), there are strict rules around tapeworm treatment that must be followed correctly — or your dog could be refused entry or placed into quarantine.

At AHC Specialists, we issue AHCs every day and see first-hand how much confusion this part of the process causes owners. This guide explains exactly what's required, when to get it done, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

Why Does My Dog Need Tapeworm Treatment to Enter the UK?

The treatment targets a specific parasite called Echinococcus multilocularis. This tapeworm is present in parts of mainland Europe and, while it rarely causes obvious illness in dogs, it poses a serious risk to human health. If a person becomes infected, it can lead to parasitic cysts forming in the liver, lungs, brain or other organs — a condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

The UK, Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta remain free of this parasite, largely because of the strict entry requirements around tapeworm treatment. If you're entering Great Britain from a country that isn't exempt, your dog must receive an appropriate tapeworm treatment before arrival.

Happy Pomeranian dog looking at the camera from inside a dog carrying bag.

Do All Dogs Need Tapeworm Treatment Before Returning?

Almost all dogs do — but there are a few exceptions. You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you're travelling directly to Great Britain from:

Ireland (Republic of Ireland)
Northern Ireland
Finland
Norway
Malta

If you're arriving from any other country, including all other EU destinations, your dog must be treated by a vet before entry. This applies to dogs travelling on an AHC, a pet passport, or a Great Britain pet health certificate. Cats and ferrets are not subject to this requirement.

When Must the Tapeworm Treatment Be Given?

Timing is the single biggest cause of dogs being turned away at the UK border, so it's worth getting right.

The treatment must be administered:

No less than 24 hours before your dog enters Great Britain
No more than 120 hours (5 days) before your dog enters Great Britain

Example:If your dog is treated at 1pm on a Monday, you cannot enter Great Britain before 1pm on the Tuesday, and you must arrive before 1pm on the following Saturday.

If your journey is delayed and you arrive more than 5 days after treatment, your dog will likely need to be treated again before you can travel. It's worth checking with your airline or ferry operator what support they offer if this happens.

What If I'm Only Travelling for a Few Days?

If you're taking a short trip of 5 days or less, you have some flexibility. You can either:

Have your dog treated by a vet in the UK before you leave, as long as you return within the 24-to-120-hour window, or
Have your dog treated while abroad, following the same timing rules

If you go this route, most vets in popular destinations such as France are very familiar with the process, as it's been a long-standing requirement. It's often more cost-effective to visit a vet away from ports or airports, where prices tend to be higher due to demand.

What Product Can Be Used?

Not just any wormer will do. The treatment must:

Be licensed for use in the country where it's administered
Contain praziquantel, or an equivalent proven effective against Echinococcus multilocularis

Common praziquantel-based products used across Europe include

Droncit®,
Drontal®,
Milbemax®,
Milbeworm®,
Profender®,
Interceptor Plus®,
Iverhart Max®,
Centragard®
Virbantel®

Your vet abroad will be able to advise on what's available and appropriate for your dog.

Where Does the Treatment Need to Be Recorded?

This is where a lot of AHCs get rejected — not because the treatment wasn't given, but because it wasn't recorded properly.

The vet administering the treatment must complete the Echinococcus treatment section of your dog's AHC (or pet passport), including:

Your dog's microchip number
The name and manufacturer of the product used
The exact date and time of treatment
The vet's stamp and signature

On many AHCs this table appears on page 4. Border officials will check this section carefully, so it's worth double-checking it's been filled in fully and correctly before you travel — a missing stamp or an illegible time can cause real problems at the border.

Here is an example of the page correctly filled:

Example of bottom of page four in an Animal Health Certificate, filled with the information regarding tapeworm treatment.

What Happens If the Treatment Isn't Done Correctly?

If the tapeworm treatment is given outside the permitted 24–120 hour window, uses an unsuitable product, or isn't properly recorded on the certificate, your dog can be refused entry to Great Britain or placed into quarantine. Given how straightforward this requirement is to meet with a little planning, it's an entirely avoidable situation.

A Quick Checklist Before You Travel

✅ Confirm whether your route qualifies for the tapeworm exemption (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway, Malta)

✅ Book a vet appointment abroad for treatment within the 24–120 hour window before your scheduled arrival

✅ Confirm the product used contains praziquantel or an approved equivalent

✅ Check the vet has completed the Echinococcus section of your AHC in full, including microchip number, product details, date, time, stamp and signature

✅ Keep the certificate accessible for inspection at the UK border

Need Help With an Animal Health Certificate?

Getting the paperwork and timing right for international pet travel can feel daunting, but it doesn't need to be stressful with the right guidance. If you're planning a trip and need an Animal Health Certificate, or you'd like advice on the tapeworm treatment requirements for your dog's return journey, get in touch and I'll be happy to help make sure everything is in order before you travel.

Contact us