Cheap Animal Health Certificates Near Me: Your Essential Guide to EU pet travel
If you are planning to travel to the EU with your dog, cat, or ferret, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). At Vet Home Certs, we specialise in providing affordable Animal Health Certificates across the UK, helping pet owners complete the required documentation efficiently and correctly. This guide will outline the AHC requirements and price, appointment options and a step-by-step guide for obtaining a cheap AHC.
Our streamlined service is designed to make the AHC process clear, compliant, and cost-effective, with prices starting from £79.
What is an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?
An Animal Health Certificate is an official veterinary document required for travel from the UK to the EU with dogs, cats, or ferrets for non-commercial purposes. This document replaced the old UK pet passport following Brexit.
Only an Official Veterinarian (OV), a veterinary surgeon authorised by the government, can issue an AHC.
Key Requirements for Issuing an AHC:
Before an AHC can be issued, your pet must meet the following criteria, verified by an OV at the appointment:
- Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip must have been scanned and verified before the rabies vaccination was administered.
- Valid Rabies Vaccination: Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination.
- Waiting Period: The rabies vaccination must have been administered at least 21 full days before the AHC can be issued (unless it is a booster and evidence of the previous vaccination is provided). The AHC cannot be issued until this minimum 21 day waiting period is complete.
Once issued, the AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue to enter the EU. The issue date counts as Day 1, and the certificate remains valid until midnight on Day 10. Ensure to plan your AHC appointment accordingly.
Note: Some rabies vaccines require longer waiting periods. Always check with your vet at the time of vaccination.
Vet Home Certs Pricing Information
Vet Home Certs specialises in AHCs, streamlining the process to offer cost-effective pricing compared to many general vet practices. Our services start from just £79 when repeat and collection point discounts are applied:
- Repeat AHC: £89
For returning clients using the same vet with unchanged details and valid rabies vaccination. Appointment must be confirmed more than 10 days before travel. Additional pets £25 each. - Standard AHC: £99
For planned trips with information and payment received more than 7 days before your appointment date. Additional pets £30 each. - Urgent AHC: £199
For short-notice requests where information and payment is received within 7 days of an appointment date. Additional pets £30 each.
An AHC can include up to five pets. Collection point discounts or supplemental home visit fees can be found using the interactive map on the Areas Covered page. For full pricing details, please visit the Prices page. Please note some individual vets have their own set prices which can be seen on the interactive map on the areas covered page and the prices page.
Home Visits and Collection Points
An Animal Health Certificate must be issued in person by an Official Veterinarian. It cannot be posted or sent online.
What to Expect During the Appointment
Regardless of whether you choose a home visit or a collection point meeting, the appointment is quick (typically up to 10 minutes) because the documentation is prepared in advance:
- Microchip Scanning: Your pet’s microchip will be scanned and verified by the vet.
- Signature Witnessing: The vet will witness the owner (or authorised person, if arranged beforehand) signing the declaration of non-commercial movement.
- Final Review: The certificate will be reviewed with you, and any final questions you have will be answered.
Choosing Your Appointment Type
- Home Visit:
The vet visits your address to issue the AHC. This option is ideal for convenience or for anxious pets. Note that some areas may have supplemental delivery charges (usually £10 – £20). - Collection Point:
You and your pet meet the vet at a designated meeting point. Some collection points offer a discount (up to £10). Tip: Use the provided What3Words link for precise navigation to the exact meeting point, and where possible, stay in your vehicle with your pet to ensure a calm and safe handover.
You can confirm your eligibility for a home visit or locate your nearest collection point using the map on our Areas Covered page.
Step-by-Step Guide: Booking Your AHC
Requesting your Animal Health Certificate with Vet Home Certs is easy and straightforward:
- Check Your Options: Confirm your eligibility for a home visit or find your nearest collection point using the map on the Areas Covered page.
- Complete Stage 1 Form: Submit your initial request by filling out the Stage 1 form on the website, selecting the relevant area and vet.
- Complete Stage 2 Form: An email containing the Stage 2 form link will be sent immediately after submitting Stage 1. This form gathers the detailed information needed for the AHC itself. Both forms must be completed for your request to be processed.
- Vet Review and Confirmation: Your information is reviewed and an appointment is offered. The appointment is only confirmed once all required information and payment have been received.
- Attend Appointment: The OV meets you and your pet at the arranged location for the final checks, and issues your AHC.
To secure the Standard AHC rate and ensure availability, we recommend requesting your appointment at least 4–6 weeks before your travel date.
Important Considerations for Pet Travel
Understanding specific travel requirements is essential for a smooth journey:
- Northern Ireland Travel:
If your trip is solely to Northern Ireland, you should apply for a separate Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document. An AHC is still required for onward travel to the Republic of Ireland or any other EU country. - Dogs and Worming Treatment:
Dogs travelling to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta must receive tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. This treatment must be witnessed by a vet and recorded in the AHC during this timeframe. - Returning to the UK?
Ensure to follow the official APHA Travel Checklist.- Dogs returning to Great Britain also require tapeworm treatment administered and recorded in the AHC by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before re-entry.
- Appointment Requirements:
The owner and pets named on the AHC must attend. The microchips of all pets must be scanned at the appointment. - Authorised Travel:
Pets may travel with a courier or an authorised person. If this is the case, the owner and pet must reunite within 5 days of arrival in the EU. Either the owner or the authorised person may sign the AHC, but you must confirm who will sign before the appointment so the paperwork can be prepared correctly.
Ready for a Hassle-Free, Affordable Animal Health Certificate?
Travelling from the UK to the EU with a pet requires planning and attention to detail. Vet Home Certs provides a professional, low-cost Animal Health Certificate service designed to ensure full compliance with EU travel regulations.
Request your appointment today to confirm pricing and begin the process of securing your pet’s AHC.