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.

Cream coated cockapoo playing in the snow in Sweden

Taking your Cat, Dog or Ferret to Sweden from the UK

Are you thinking about taking your dog or cat to Sweden?

Our vets are very familiar with the official requirements necessary to have a smooth travel.

Our Essential Guide: Traveling with Pets to Sweden - Microchipping, Vaccinations & Animal Health Certificates

1. Microchip and Rabies Vaccination for European Pet Travel

The two most important requirements for traveling with your dog, cat, or ferret to Sweden, or anywhere else in Europe, are:

Microchipping your pet.
Having an up-to-date Rabies vaccination.

Microchipping is a quick and straightforward procedure where a tiny device is inserted under your pet’s skin. It provides a permanent identification method required by law in the UK for all dogs and cats.

The Rabies vaccination, while not routine in the UK due to its rabies-free status, is essential for European travel. If your pet hasn’t been vaccinated, book an appointment at least 21 days before your departure. Here’s what your Rabies vaccination documentation should include:

Pet details and the 15-digit microchip number.
Date of rabies vaccination.
Vaccine batch number and manufacturer.
Vet’s signature and practice stamp.

👉 Pro Tip: Double-check that the rabies vaccination will remain valid throughout your trip to avoid travel disruptions.

Note: Routine vaccinations are not mandatory for travel but are strongly recommended for your pet’s overall health.

2. Book Your Animal Health Certificate (AHC) Appointment

The Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is your pet’s passport to Europe. This essential document must be:

Issued at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination.
Issued within 10 days of your departure date.

Not all vets can issue an AHC—this service is only provided by Official Veterinarians (OVs). During the appointment, the vet will:

Check your pet’s health.
Scan their microchip.
Issue the AHC.

We offer convenient, at-home AHC services, saving you time and allowing you to focus on trip planning.

Note: click here if you want more information about what Animal Health Certificates are.

3. Ready to Travel?

With your AHC in hand, you’re ready to embark! Key things to remember:

Cross the border within 10 days of the AHC's issue date (which counts as Day 1). For instance, an AHC issued on the 1st of January can be used up to and including the 10th of January.
Under the updated pet travel rules, the new AHC is valid for 6 months for onward travel within the EU and for re-entering Great Britain (extended from the previous 4-month limit), provided the rabies vaccination remains valid.
If you leave the EU (e.g., returning to the UK), you’ll need a new AHC to re-enter Europe.
And finally, remember to declare your pet to Swedish Customs 🇸🇪: all cats, dogs, and ferrets entering Sweden must be officially declared to Swedish Customs (Tullverket). Border officials take this legal requirement very seriously, and failing to declare your pet can result in severe delays or legal penalties. How you declare your pet depends on your travel route:
- Travelling Directly from the UK: You must declare your pet physically at your point of entry. Look for the Red Channel ("Goods to declare") at customs, where an officer will verify your pet’s microchip and the AHC we issued.
- Transiting Through Another EU Country First: If you drive or travel through the EU before crossing into Sweden, you can pre-declare your pet online before arrival using the official Swedish Customs portal. Once registered, you will receive a registration number allowing you to pass through the Green Channel ("Nothing to declare"), though you must keep the number handy for spot checks.

4. Returning to the UK (Dogs Only)

When travelling to Sweden directly from the UK, your dog does not require a tapeworm treatment to enter the country. However, you must arrange a tapeworm treatment from a vet abroad before bringing your dog back to Great Britain. This treatment should be:

Administered 24–120 hours before re-entry.
Certified in the pet passport or AHC (page 4).

Tapeworm treatment is quick and widely available. To avoid last-minute stress, consider booking this appointment in advance.

More Information: Visit the UK Government’s guide on bringing your pet to Great Britain.

Why Choose Us? 🐾

Taking your pet abroad from the UK requires careful planning due to strict time requirements with the Rabies vaccination and the paperwork required. 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 happy to help ensuring 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 Animal Health Certificates have some of the most competitive rates in London. Click here to check our prices.
🚪 Convenience at Your Doorstep – We can even perform all the necessary checks at your home, reducing the risk of your pet getting sick by avoiding exposure to unwell animals at the vet.
📄 Expert Handling of Documents – 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! 🐾

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