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.

EU Pet Passports Are Gone (Again): What UK Pet Owners Must Do This Summer

8 Jun

Written By Federico Baggi

If you've been Googling "EU pet passport 2026" recently, you're not alone - and you're right to be confused. There's a lot of misinformation out there right now, with some websites claiming that pet passports have "returned." They haven't. Not yet. And if you're planning to travel to Europe with your dog, cat, or ferret this summer, you need to know exactly what the rules are right now.

As DEFRA-approved Official Veterinarians based in London, we just want to cut through the noise.

A tabby kitten, indoors, looking at the camera and yawning.

What Just Happened in April 2026?

Since Brexit, UK residents have needed an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) every time they travel to the EU with a pet. That much hasn't changed.

What has changed - and caught many people by surprise - is that from 22 April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK residents are no longer valid for EU travel, even if the passport was issued in an EU member state like France or Ireland. This is the result of the EU's Animal Health Law (Regulation 2016/429), which had been in a 10-year transitional period that ended this spring.

In plain terms: if you are a resident of England, Scotland, or Wales and you have an EU pet passport - even one issued abroad - it no longer works for taking your pet into the EU.

But Didn't the UK Announce Pet Passports Are Coming Back?

Yes - and this is where the confusion starts.

In May 2025, the UK government announced an agreement in principle with the EU to reinstate a pet passport scheme for British pet owners. This was genuinely good news, and we were pleased to hear it.

However, as of June 2026, no timeline has been confirmed by DEFRA, and pet passports are not yet available. Some sources suggest they could return in late 2026 or 2027 - but nothing is confirmed. Until then, the AHC remains the only valid travel document for GB residents taking pets to the EU.

Our advice: don't wait for pet passports to appear before booking your summer trip.

So What Do You Actually Need This Summer?

Here is exactly what is required to travel from the UK to Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and all other EU countries) with your dog, cat, or ferret in summer 2026:

1. Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip. This must have been done before their rabies vaccination to be valid.

2. Rabies Vaccination

Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccine must have been administered at least 21 days before your travel date. If your pet has never been vaccinated, or their vaccine has lapsed, you cannot travel until 21 days after a new dose is given.

If necessary, we can help with that too.
We use long-lasting 3-year rabies vaccines, which makes future travel much easier.

3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

An AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) - like us - within 10 days of your departure date. It is valid for a single EU entry, and once inside the EU, it covers onward travel within Europe for up to 6 months (provided your pet's rabies vaccination remains current).

You need a new AHC for every trip. There are no exceptions.

4. Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only)

If you are travelling to Ireland, Malta, Finland, Norway, or Northern Ireland - or returning to the UK from any EU country - your dog must be treated for tapeworm by a vet between 24 and 120 hours (1–5 days) before entry. This does not apply to cats or ferrets.

How Much Does an AHC Cost?

Our Animal Health Certificates for European travel start from £139, including a full veterinary examination, microchip scanning, certificate completion and signing, and expert guidance on your travel requirements.

Returning clients receive a 10% discount.

We also offer a home visit service across London - we come to you, making the process quick and stress-free for both you and your pet. Appointments typically take no more than 20 minutes.

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

We recommend booking at least 14–21 days before your travel date.

If you haven't yet confirmed your pet's rabies vaccination status - especially if it's been a few years - contact us as soon as possible. If a booster is needed, you'll have to wait 21 days before travelling, which could affect your summer plans.

The bottom line: don't leave it to the last minute. We do our very best to accommodate urgent requests, but summer is our busiest period and availability fills up quickly.

What About Travel to Northern Ireland?

This is one positive change worth knowing about. Since June 2025, a free, lifetime Pet Travel Document is available for GB → Northern Ireland travel, replacing the previous requirement for a new AHC each time. You can apply online via the UK Government website in under 10 minutes.

Note: if you're travelling beyond Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland or the broader EU, you will still need a standard AHC.

Ready to Travel? Let's Get Your Pet's Certificate Sorted.

We've helped over 1,000 pets travel safely and compliantly from London. Whether you're heading to France for a week, Spain for the summer, or relocating to Europe entirely — we make the paperwork simple.

📍 In-clinic appointments at our Stanwell Moor practice, or
🏠 Home visits across London — we come to you

👉 Get a Quote — takes just a few minutes, and we'll confirm your appointment quickly.

Have questions? Contact us — we're always happy to help.

AHC Specialists are DEFRA-approved Official Veterinarians specialising in pet travel health certificates for Europe and worldwide. All information in this post reflects current DEFRA and APHA guidance as of June 2026 and is subject to change. Always verify requirements with official government sources or contact us directly.

Federico Baggi https://ahclondon.co.uk