Requirements for an Animal Health Certificate

Before an Official Veterinarian can issue your AHC, your pet must satisfy two primary legal requirements:

1. Microchip: Your pet must have a working microchip. The OV must scan your pet’s microchip in person during the AHC appointment to verify their identity.
2. Valid Rabies Vaccination: Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination. Your pet’s microchip was scanned and verified before the rabies vaccination was administered.
   • For the initial vaccination, there is a minimum 21-day waiting period before the AHC can be legally issued. Day 1 is the vaccination date, and day 21 is the first date an AHC could be issued. Note that some rabies vaccines have longer waiting periods before an AHC can be issued.
   • If your pet has received a booster shot, this waiting period does not apply, provided evidence of the previous valid vaccination is available.

      

How Long is an Animal Health Certificate Valid For?

Understanding the validity periods is essential for scheduling your travel and AHC appointment correctly:

• Entry to the EU: The AHC is valid for EU entry for 10 days from the date of issue. 
• Onward travel within the EU: Once you enter the EU, the AHC remains valid for onward travel within EU countries and for the return journey to Great Britain, up to a maximum of four months. Or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first. 

Animal Health Certificates are single-use only for entry from the UK to the EU. If you return to the UK and plan to travel to the EU again, you will need to obtain a new Animal Health Certificate.

Additional Requirements: Tapeworm Treatment for Dogs

If you are travelling with a dog, specific rules regarding tapeworm treatment apply for certain countries, and for your return journey to the UK.

• Arrival in Specific Countries: Dogs require tapeworm treatment to be administered and recorded in the AHC by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta.
• Returning to the UK: Dogs must receive tapeworm treatment, administered and witnessed by a vet, between 24 and 120 hours before arrival back in Great Britain (GB). The treatment must be licensed in the country where it is administered and effective against Echinococcus multilocularis.

Short Trip Tip: For short trips where your return to GB falls within the 24-120 hour window of your Vet Home Certs AHC appointment, the OV may be able to witness and record the tapeworm treatment in the AHC, provided you supply an approved treatment. This saves you the time and effort of finding a vet abroad.

Northern Ireland Travel Update

Please be aware of recent changes regarding travel solely to Northern Ireland:

• Travel to Northern Ireland ONLY: As of June 4, 2025, an AHC is no longer required for trips exclusively to Northern Ireland. Instead, a specific Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document is required, which can be applied for via the UK Government website.
• Onward Travel: If you are travelling onward from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland or any other EU country, an AHC is still required.

   

What if the Owner is Not Travelling with the Pet?

Pets can still travel on an AHC with someone other than the owner, such as a named authorised person (friend or family member) or a pet transport company. In this situation, the person travelling with the pet must carry a letter of authorisation signed by the pet owner. 

However, the AHC is only valid if the owner will be reunited with their pet within five days of the pet’s arrival in the EU. Customs officials will require evidence of the owner’s travel details to confirm this reunion. 

If the owner is not going to be reunited at all, or will be reunited after five days, the pet would need an EU Export Health Certificate instead. 

Vet Home Certs Pricing Information

We specialise solely in providing Animal Health Certificates, allowing us to offer a fast, cost-effective service compared to many general vet practices. Our pricing structure is transparent:

• Repeat AHC: £89
   For returning clients using the same OV, with unchanged details and valid rabies vaccination. Appointment must be confirmed more than 10 days before travel. Additional pets are £25 each.
• Standard AHC: £99
   Available when all information and payment is received more than 7 days before your appointment. Additional pets are £30 each.
• Urgent AHC: £199
   For short-notice requests where information and payment is received within 7 days of an appointment. Additional pets are £30 each.

We offer both convenient home visits and collection points (offering discounts up to £10 in some locations). To check your area, please visit our Areas Covered page. For more details on cost, visit our Prices page.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting an AHC with Vet Home Certs 

Booking your AHC with Vet Home Certs is designed to be straightforward:

1. Check Your Options: Use our Areas Covered page to confirm eligibility for a home visit or find your nearest collection point.
2. Complete Stage 1 Form: Submit your initial request via our Request Appointment page, selecting the relevant area and vet.
3. Complete Stage 2 Form: Check your email immediately for the Stage 2 form (including spam/junk folders) and provide the details required for the AHC, such as microchip numbers and other pet details.
4. Vet Review and Confirmation: Our admin team and OV review your information and verify vaccine records (which you must arrange to be sent to us directly from your vet practice). Once all information and payment are received, your appointment is confirmed.
5. Attend Appointment: Meet the vet at your home or your chosen collection point. During this brief appointment, the vet scans your pet’s microchip, witnesses the owner sign the AHC, and hands over your completed AHC.

Ready for Stress-Free Pet Travel? 

Don’t risk timing errors or last-minute stress. We recommend requesting your AHC appointment 4-6 weeks before your travel date to ensure you secure the best price and to allow ample time for document preparation.

Click here to start your seamless travel plans today: Request an Appointment Here