We are delighted to be able to offer our clients this service. We have five Official Veterinarian’s spread across all of our practices, meaning they are qualified to issue relevant certification.
Travelling with your pet within Europe
It is your responsibility as the pet owner to ensure all requirements for travel are identified and met.
If you are planning to take your pet abroad, please contact us as soon as possible to enable us to start the process in good time. Whilst an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) must not be started any more than 10 days before the date of travel, the more notice we have the easier it will be to book you in with a suitable vet. We recommend contacting us at least 3 weeks before you plan to travel. This service is available for registered clients and pets of this practice.
For the most up-to-date information on pet travel to Europe visit: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please note, there are different requirements for some countries, so wherever you are returning from, it is important to check the latest UK Government information about travelling with your pet well in advance of your trip. We also advise that you check the entry requirements of the country that will be your port of entry to the EU, as well as your final destination.
On 1st January 2021 Great Britain became a Third Country with respect to the EU Pet Travel Scheme.
UK Pet Passports are no longer being issued and are no longer valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU and Northern Ireland. Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) are now required for pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling to the EU and Northern Ireland from Great Britain (non-commercial travel)*.
The following information will help you:
- No more than 10 days and no less than 4 days before the date of travel, proof of microchipping and rabies vaccination are necessary (this is usually in the form of your old pet passport)
- The pet/s travelling (up to 5 max) must have the following:
- Microchip (properly registered to legal owner)
- Rabies vaccination up to date; this must be done after the animal is 12 weeks old and at least 21 days before the travel date. (and before completion of the animal health certificate)
- Be travelling with the owner or within 5 days of the owner*
- Not be travelling for sale*
*Export Health Certificates are required if pets do not meet these criteria
Once the above criteria is met, you may then book an appointment to get your AHC completed no more than 10 days before your travel date, so please ensure you let us know your travel date and destination at the time.
Please ensure that when booking your appointment, you allow ample time to be booked in with one of the accredited vets (we recommend contacting the practice at least three weeks prior to your intended date of travel). Whilst the AHC must not be started any more than 10 days before the date of travel, the more notice we have the easier it will be to book you in with a suitable vet.
Once the appointment is booked, we will confirm your email address and ask you to complete the UK to EU Pet Travel – pre-visit information form. Please read the Government guidance on Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and complete and return your pet travel form at least 3 working days prior to your appointment. Failure to return this form may lead to the cancellation of your appointment.
More than one appointment may be required to complete the AHC. Please check with the practice as to the process that should be followed.
The AHC is valid for 4 months for onward travel within Europe and return to the UK. Dogs traveling to Finland, Norway, Ireland, Northern Ireland or Malta must be treated for tape worm no more than 120 hours (5 days) and no less than 24 hours before the travel date. When returning to the UK this must be done again no more than 120 hours (5 days) and no less than 24 hours before the travel date.
This information is valid as of 15 July 2021 but could be changed at short notice by the UK Government.
Prices
- Animal Health Certificate – please ask our reception team for the price when you call to book your appointment.
- Rabies Vaccination (if required) – please ask our reception team for the price when you call to book your appointment.
* Pet Passports from EU Countries and Northern Ireland, with rabies boosters given in an EU state or Northern Ireland, are still valid for travel in and out of the UK, but can no longer be added to by an Official Veterinarian in the UK.
