International Pet Travel | Ash Tree Vets

Travelling Abroad with Your Pet

You are no longer able to use pet passports and will instead require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) regarding pet travel to the EU, as well as Northern Ireland. AHCs can only be used for a single journey.

When travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your pet needs:

  • An AHC
  • A microchip
  • A valid rabies vaccination, at least 21 days before you travel
  • Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta

If you are returning to the UK, you must see a vet in the country you are visiting to have a tapeworm treatment administered one to five days before you return. This does not apply if you are returning from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.

These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.

The AHC is a complicated piece of documentation and requires an examination from your vet no more than ten days before you travel. If you are planning to travel, please contact us early to book your AHC appointment (at least 4 weeks before travel) to ensure everything is in place in good time. We can only assist registered bonded clients.

Please call us on 01858 462 839 to request an AHC.

Travel Outside of the EU

Different countries around the world have their own rules on whether you can take your pet there, and what you need to do so.

If you’re planning on making a trip, please contact us for more details as it can take a long time to sort out all the required documents and treatments.

It’s always a good idea to visit the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website for guidance, as the rules can change.

Other things to check before you travel include the approved transport companies and authorised routes for travel.

Do you have pet insurance? Is your accommodation pet-friendly? Does the country you are travelling to have any restrictions on importation of certain cat and dog breeds?

It can seem like a complicated situation – because it is!

But don’t worry, as we’re always here to help.