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.

What is the Animal Health Certificate? Your Complete 2026 Guide

14 Jul

Written By Federico Baggi

Traveling with your pet can be a joyful experience, but it comes with certain responsibilities. One of the most important documents you'll need when traveling from the UK to the EU (including Switzerland) or Northern Ireland is the Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Here's everything you need to know, step by step.

What is an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is the official document required for taking your pet (dog, cat or ferret) travelling from Great Britain to the EU and certain other European countries (like Switzerland or Northern Ireland). It is issued by a DEFRA-approved Official Veterinarian after confirming your pet's identity, rabies vaccination status and fitness to travel, and it serves as a replacement for the old Pet Passport, which is no longer valid for most UK travelers.

Key Facts About the AHC: At a glance ✅

Required for most pets travelling from Great Britain to the EU
Issued by a DEFRA-approved Official Veterinarian
Must be issued within 10 days of travel
Valid for entry into the EU within 10 days
Valid for onward travel and return for the permitted period
A new certificate is needed for each new trip from Great Britain

Issued within 10 days: It can only be issued within 10 days before your departure (e.g. if issued on the 1st of the month, you will be able to leave the UK until the 10th of said month).

How Do You Get an Animal Health Certificate?

Step 1: Microchip Your Pet

Your pet must have a 15-digit ISO-compliant microchip for identification. The microchip must be implanted before (or at the same time as) the rabies vaccination.

Step 2: Rabies Vaccination 💉

Your pet needs an up-to-date rabies vaccination.

If your pet is receiving their first (or primary) rabies vaccination, you must wait at least 21 days after the injection before an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) can be issued. Please note that the vaccination's validity period varies by brand; for example, Nobivac Rabies is valid for three years starting 21 days post-inoculation.

Step 3: Book an AHC Appointment 📆

Schedule an appointment with a certified Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of your planned departure, and at least 21 days from the date of the primary rabies vaccination. The vet will:

Verify your pet's microchip.
Confirm the rabies vaccination is valid.
Complete and issue the Animal Health Certificate.

Special Notes for Travelers to Certain Countries ⚠️

If you're traveling with your dog to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland, or Norway, additional requirements apply. Your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment:

Administered no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before crossing the border.
The treatment must be recorded on the AHC by a veterinarian.

What About Non-EU Travel?

If you're traveling outside the EU, you'll need a different document called an Export Health Certificate (EHC). Requirements vary by country and can get more complex — get in touch if you're planning a non-EU trip, and we'll provide all the relevant information.

FAQs About Animal Health Certificates

How much does an AHC cost? Prices vary depending on the vet and the service provided. We pride ourselves not only on the quality of our work, but also on our competitive prices. You can view our pricing here.
Can I use one AHC for multiple trips? No, an AHC is valid for one trip only. You'll need a new certificate for subsequent journeys.
How long is the certificate valid for? It's valid for a single trip to the EU, ongoing travel within the EU for up to 6 months, and returning to the UK - as long as the rabies vaccination on the certificate is valid as well.
Why do I need an Animal Health Certificate instead of a pet passport? If you live in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales), you can no longer use a pet passport to travel to the EU with your dog, cat or ferret. Since the rule changes introduced on 22 April 2026, Great Britain residents must travel with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead, issued by an Official Veterinarian.

Why Choose Us to issue your AHC? 🐾

Taking your pet abroad from the UK requires careful planning due to strict time requirements with the rabies vaccination and the paperwork involved. Additionally, the necessary travel documentation must be signed by vets with special qualifications — this can make the process challenging, even for your regular vet.

We specialise in pet travel documentation and are happy to help ensure a safe, smooth, and stress-free journey for your furry friend.

✅ Experienced & Trusted – We've helped countless pet owners with their travel preparations, ensuring all documents are in order.

💷 Affordable & Transparent Pricing – Our model is very efficient and our vets are very fast in preparing these documents. Because of this, our Animal Health Certificates have some of the most competitive rates in London, starting at £139. Check our prices.

🚪 Convenience at Your Doorstep – To make things even more convenient, we can perform all the necessary checks at your home, reducing the risk of your pet getting sick from exposure to unwell animals at the vet.

📄 Expert Handling of Documents – And finally, maybe most importantly, we prepare these documents daily, so you can be confident everything is completed correctly.

Let us take the stress out of pet travel — so you can focus on the excitement of your journey! 🐾

Get a Quote

Federico Baggi https://ahclondon.co.uk