Travel Advice

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Pet Travel Guide – Dogs, Cats & Ferrets

Since January 1st 2021, travelling with pets has changed and the UK no longer issues Pet Passports. As of 22/04/2026 you can only use a Pet Passport if it was issued in an EU country as long as your main address is in the EU. Please see below what you are required to do if looking to travel with your pets.

Travelling with your pet?

We offer Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) for travel to Europe, as well as Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and supporting documentation for pets travelling worldwide.

Our team can guide you through the requirements and help ensure everything is completed correctly for your destination.

Please contact us for more information or to book an appointment.

European Travel

Your pet will need:

• A microchip
• A rabies vaccination: EU Regulation requires pets to be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated. You must wait 21 days or more after the rabies vaccination before you can travel. This means no pet can travel abroad unless they are a minimum of 15 weeks old (12 weeks and the 21-day wait).
• An Animal health Certificate (AHC) – issued by an “Official Veterinarian – OV” no more than 10 days before your date of entry into the EU. The vet will need to check your pet, the microchip & see proof of your pet’s Rabies vaccination
• (FOR DOGS) Tapeworm treatment if travelling into either Finland, Malta, Norway or the Republic of Ireland (Whether the tapeworm treatment is done by your own vet or a vet on the continent will depend on your destination/travel arrangements). It must be done between one to five days of entry.

Your pet’s AHC will be valid after the date of issue for 10 days (date of signing being day 1) for entry into the EU, 4 months for onward travel within the EU & 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Your pet will need a new AHC for each trip to an EU country from Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

For DOGS, before you return to the UK you must find a vet in the EU to administer a tapeworm tablet to your dog between 1 and 5 days prior to entry and enter the details onto the AHC.

What do you need prior to your appointment?

When you book your appointment, we will ask you to fill out a form with the information we need.

Please let us know where you will initially land on entry to the EU – this may be different to your final destination but the paperwork needs to be in the language of the EU country which you first enter. E.g. If you are travelling to Poland but landing in France the documents will need to be in French as that is the country where you are entering the EU.

We will need a copy of the rabies vaccinations (either a vaccination certificate or your pet’s old passport) – we will have to copy it to accompany the AHC.

Any paperwork regarding microchipping – this is not essential, but makes completing the form easier!

Remember It must be the owner, or the person who has written permission from the owner to travel with their pet, who accompanies the pet to the appointment to sign the AHC.

Northern Ireland

If travelling to Northern Ireland you no longer require an AHC. You must apply for a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD) on the government website. It is free to apply for and lasts for as long as your pet. You do not require a rabies vaccination or a tapeworm treatment, but your pet must be microchipped.

Non-EU Countries

If you are taking your pet further afield and need to export them outside of the EU, then an Export Health Certificate (EHC) and/or a Fitness to Fly certificate is required. We are able to provide assistance with these, though requirements for different countries do vary and some take up to 6 months to prepare for, so please give us plenty of notice if you are planning on taking your pet abroad.

Exporting your pet to some countries can be difficult as it requires applying for permits and it may also be advisable to use a pet travel agent to assist you, a list of these can be found on the IPATA website. There are quite a few dotted around the country that can work remotely, the closest one is based in Wimborne.

Information can also be found on the Government website.

Contact the Pet Travel Scheme helpline if you need more information about pet travel.

Pet Travel Scheme helpline [email protected]

Telephone: 0370 241 1710

Or try www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

Advice on overseas diseases:

Brucella canis:

Please note some countries are high risk for Brucella Canis and we advise you have a blood test upon return to make sure your pet/s are not infected with the disease. We can discuss this more at the time of enquiry and if this applies to your pets.

Leishmania:

Leishmania is a nasty and hard to treat disease endemic to many parts of the world including Europe and it is transmitted by the phlebotomine sand fly, which inhabits subtropical habitats, especially beaches. Please discuss with a one of our vets if you would like advice on anti-parasitic treatments to specifically prevent sand fly bites.

Tick borne diseases:

As in the UK ticks abroad can also carry diseases such as Anaplasmosis, Babesia and Ehrlichia. So as when in the UK it is recommended to keep your pet up to date with parasite treatment that prevents ticks.

FAQ:

How many pets can travel?

Up to five pets per trip, if you are intending to travel with more than five pets please check the UK government website.

Can someone else transport my pet to the EU?

Yes. As long as you are travelling within 5 days of your pet, either a person or designated carrier company with authorisation from you may transport your pet to the country of destination.

Can I send my pet/sell a pet to someone in the EU?

Yes. Though this will count as a commercial export and will require an EHC certificate instead of an AHC. Please feel free to enquire with us about this.

Can I use my UK issued pet passport?

No. Your UK pet passport does not allow entry into another country, only into the UK. You need an Animal Health Certificate to enter another EU country or Northern Ireland. However we recommend you keep it & always travel with it – it contains useful information!

My pet is from an EU country, is their pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland still valid?

NO – As of 22/04/2026 unless your main residence is in the EU your pet’s EU passport is no longer valid. You must have an AHC issued to travel with your pet.

How long is my pet’s AHC valid for after the date of issue?

• 10 days for entry into an EU country (with the day of signing being day 1)
• 4 months for onward travel within the EU
• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

What if I am going to be away for just a weekend?

If you are returning to the within 1-5 days of having the AHC issued, we can give your dog a tapeworm treatment at the time of signing to avoid having to have one administered in the EU.

What if I will be away for longer than 4 months?

Your pet’s AHC only lasts 4 months. After this period your AHC will expire & you will need a passport or AHC to be issued in the EU country.

Does my pet need a rabies blood test?

Currently there are no requirements for a Rabies Neutralising and Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) when entering the EU or returning to the UK, but different countries vary & can change their policies – Please check your countries specific requirements.

As negotiations are still in progress this advice may be subject to change and we advise that you consult the government website before travelling.

Please contact the surgery if, having consulted the government website, you have any further questions about taking your pet abroad.