How to Get a Cheap Animal Health Certificate (AHC) in Edinburgh
For pet owners in Edinburgh planning travel to the EU or Northern Ireland, arranging an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is essential. This guide explains how to secure your AHC in Edinburgh, including home visit and collection point options, transport connections, pricing, and a step-by-step booking process. Having your AHC ready in advance helps you avoid delays or the stress of collecting documents at ports.
Meet the Local Vet: Sam Hillier
Sam began his veterinary career in Yorkshire before moving to Edinburgh in 2016, where he became the lead vet at a local independent practice. With extensive experience in companion animals and certification requirements post-Brexit, Sam has dedicated his work to making Animal Health Certificates more accessible and affordable for local pet owners. He offers both home visits and a convenient collection point service in Edinburgh.
Home Visit & Collection Point Options in Edinburgh
With Vet Home Certs, you can choose between a home visit or meeting at the Edinburgh collection point.
At your appointment, whether at home or at the collection point, the vet will:
- Scan and verify your pet’s microchip.
- Witness the declaration being signed by the owner or authorised person (if arranged in advance).
- Review the AHC with you, answering any final questions before your journey.
Home Visits in Edinburgh
Home visits are available throughout Edinburgh, offering a convenient option for pets that may be anxious traveling. Check the home delivery region using the map on the Areas Covered page of the Vet Home Certs website.
Edinburgh Collection Point
Location: https://w3w.co/clues.heats.ties (Cameron Toll car park, near Conan Doyle Medical Centre).
Tips for using the collection point:
- Ample parking is available at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre. Arrive a few minutes early to find the collection point near Conan Doyle Medical Centre.
- It’s located just off the A7, making it easy to reach from most parts of the city.
- Use What3Words to navigate directly to the exact meeting point. The navigation tab provides options like Google Maps to help you find the meeting location easily, even in the large Cameron Toll car park.
Pricing Information
Vet Home Certs offers three pricing options for Animal Health Certificates in Edinburgh:
- Standard AHC: £99
Best for advance planning, available for appointments arranged and paid for more than 7 days in advance of the appointment date. Additional pets £30 each. - Urgent AHC: £199
Applies when an appointment is confirmed within 7 days of an appointment date. Additional pets £30 each. - Repeat AHC: £89
For returning clients with unchanged details and rabies vaccination. Must be arranged at least 10 days in advance of the appointment date. Additional pets £25 each.
Maximum of 5 pets per AHC. For more information on costs, visit: https://vethomecerts.co.uk/prices/.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get an AHC Appointment in Edinburgh
- Check eligibility: Check eligibility for a home visit or find the Edinburgh collection point using the map on the Areas Covered page.
- Complete Stage 1 form: Submit your appointment request via Vet Home Certs, selecting the Edinburgh vet and area.
- Complete Stage 2 form: Arrives by email immediately after Stage 1. Check spam/junk folders if it does not appear.
- Vet review: The vet confirms your information and an appointment is arranged. The appointment is confirmed once payment is received.
- Appointment day: Meet the vet at home or at the Edinburgh collection point for microchip scanning, declaration signing, and certificate issue. Your AHC is ready for travel.
Transport Links & Travel Hubs Near Edinburgh
With your Animal Health Certificate in hand, you can travel directly to your chosen port. Below are approximate driving times from central Edinburgh and may vary with traffic.
Nearest Ferry Ports
- Newcastle Ferry Port: DFDS services to Amsterdam. Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes travel time from Edinburgh.
- Cairnryan Ferry Port: Sailings to Belfast and Larne. Journey time of roughly 2 hours 50 minutes from Edinburgh.
- Liverpool Ferry Port: Services to Belfast and Dublin. Travel time of approximately 4 hours 40 minutes from Edinburgh.
- Hull Ferry Port: Routes to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. Around 5 hours travel time from Edinburgh.
Eurotunnel
- Folkestone Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: Direct drive-on train to Calais. Travel time from Edinburgh is approximately 8 hours 30 minutes by road.
Airports
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Around 30 minutes from central Edinburgh. Offers flights to European destinations with pet travel options depending on the airline.
- Glasgow Airport (GLA): Roughly 1 hour 20 minutes from Edinburgh. Provides a wide range of international routes that accept pets.
Important Considerations for Pet Travel
- Northern Ireland travel: If travelling only to Northern Ireland, apply for a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document. For onward EU travel, an AHC is still required.
- Dogs and worming treatment: Dogs travelling to Ireland, Norway, Finland, Malta or Northern Ireland must be wormed 24-120 hours before arrival. This must be witnessed and recorded on the AHC by a vet.
- Returning to the UK? Check out the APHA Travel Checklist.
- Additionally, dogs must also be wormed 24-120 hours before re-entry and this should be recorded in the AHC by a vet.
- Appointment requirements: Microchips must be scanned and verified at the appointment. The owner and all pets listed must attend.
- Authorised travel: Pets may travel with a courier or authorised person, provided arrangements are made in advance. The owner and pets must reunite within 5 days of arrival, and border officials may ask for proof. Either the owner or authorised person can sign the AHC; ensure to confirm who is signing the AHC prior to the appointment.
Ready to Travel? Request Your Animal Health Certificate in Edinburgh Today
Travelling with your pet from Edinburgh can be stress free with the right documents. We recommend submitting your AHC appointment request at least 3 weeks before your travel date.
Request your Animal Health Certificate appointment in Edinburgh today with Vet Home Certs
