How do I take my pet dog, cat or ferret with me to Europe?
The following applies to the 27 European Union countries, plus Northern Ireland, Norway and Switzerland. Different rules apply to other countries.
Microchip
Your pet may already be microchipped but, if not, a microchip needs to be implanted. The microchip must be present and shown to be working before the rabies vaccination is given.
Microchip
Your pet may already be microchipped but, if not, a microchip needs to be implanted. The microchip must be present and shown to be working before the rabies vaccination is given.
Rabies vaccination
Any vet can administer the rabies vaccine, but it is important that the vet scans your pet's microchip prior to vaccination (and records in their clinical notes that they have done so). Most -- but not all -- rabies vaccines given in the UK are valid for three years.
As not all routine vaccinations can be given at the same time as a rabies vaccine, please check with your vet (or us) if you are planning to give more than one vaccine. This will ensure that your pet's rabies vaccine will be valid for travel.
We will always check the records provided by your vet in advance of your appointment to ensure we have everything we need; it's good for you to send these to us as early as possible, to avoid last-minute surprises! You can read more about the specific details required to validate a rabies vaccination here.
Rabies vaccination
Any vet can administer the rabies vaccine, but it is important that the vet scans your pet's microchip prior to vaccination (and records in their clinical notes that they have done so). Most -- but not all -- rabies vaccines given in the UK are valid for three years.
As not all routine vaccinations can be given at the same time as a rabies vaccine, please check with your vet (or us) if you are planning to give more than one vaccine. This will ensure that your pet's rabies vaccine will be valid for travel.
We will always check the records provided by your vet in advance of your appointment to ensure we have everything we need; it's good for you to send these to us as early as possible, to avoid last-minute surprises! You can read more about the specific details required to validate a rabies vaccination here.
Animal Health Certificate
An Official Veterinarian must issue an Animal Health Certificate at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination. (The 21 day wait does not apply to "booster" vaccines, providing the booster vaccine was given before the previous vaccine had expired.)
The completed Animal Health Certificate is valid for entry into Europe for 10 days from date of issue. We usually recommend booking an AHC appointment no more than eight days before travel, to allow for any unexpected travel delays.
Animal Health Certificate
An Official Veterinarian must issue an Animal Health Certificate at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination. (The 21 day wait does not apply to "booster" vaccines, providing the booster vaccine was given before the previous vaccine had expired.)
The completed Animal Health Certificate is valid for entry into Europe for 10 days from date of issue. We usually recommend booking an AHC appointment no more than eight days before travel, to allow for any unexpected travel delays.
Animal Health Certificate
An Official Veterinarian must issue an Animal Health Certificate at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination. (The 21 day wait does not apply to "booster" vaccines, providing the booster vaccine was given before the previous vaccine had expired.)
The completed Animal Health Certificate is valid for entry into Europe for 10 days from date of issue. We usually recommend booking an AHC appointment no more than eight days before travel, to allow for any unexpected travel delays.
For dogs travelling to Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta...
Dogs (but not cats or ferrets) travelling to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta require a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival into these countries. This must be certified on the Animal Health Certificate by a vet.
The tapeworm treatment can be done at the same time as issuing the Animal Health Certificate, providing that the AHC appointment is timed appropriately.
For dogs travelling to Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta...
Dogs (but not cats or ferrets) travelling to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta require a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival into these countries. This must be certified on the Animal Health Certificate by a vet.
The tapeworm treatment can be done at the same time as issuing the Animal Health Certificate, providing that the AHC appointment is timed appropriately.
Travel
On arrival at the port of entry to the European Union (the "Travellers' Point of Entry") a border official should check and counter-stamp the Animal Health Certificate to show that you and your pet entered the EU legally.
After entering the EU, the AHC can then be used for further movement around the EU and to return to the UK for up to four months, providing the rabies vaccination remains valid for this period.
Travel
On arrival at the port of entry to the European Union (the "Travellers' Point of Entry") a border official should check and counter-stamp the Animal Health Certificate to show that you and your pet entered the EU legally.
After entering the EU, the AHC can then be used for further movement around the EU and to return to the UK for up to four months, providing the rabies vaccination remains valid for this period.
Dogs returning to Great Britain
Dogs (but not cats or ferrets) returning to Great Britain require a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours prior to time of arrival into Great Britain. This must be certified on the Animal Health Certificate by a vet in Europe.
The exception to this is dogs travelling directly from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta, who do not require a tapeworm treatment.
(For very short stays to the EU, the tapeworm treatment may be given and certified on the AHC by a British vet before travel, providing it can be timed appropriately).
It is good practice, though currently not a legal requirement, to repeat this tapeworm treatment four weeks after returning home from Europe. This extra treatment could be done by you, at home, as part of your routine parasite prevention.
Dogs returning to Great Britain
Dogs (but not cats or ferrets) returning to Great Britain require a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours prior to time of arrival into Great Britain. This must be certified on the Animal Health Certificate by a vet in Europe.
The exception to this is dogs travelling directly from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta, who do not require a tapeworm treatment.
(For very short stays to the EU, the tapeworm treatment may be given and certified on the AHC by a British vet before travel, providing it can be timed appropriately).
It is good practice, though currently not a legal requirement, to repeat this tapeworm treatment 30 days after returning home from Europe. This extra treatment could be done by you, at home, as part of your routine parasite prevention.
Animal Health Certificate
An Official Veterinarian must issue an Animal Health Certificate at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination. (The 21 day wait does not apply to "booster" vaccines, providing the booster vaccine was given before the previous vaccine had expired.)
The completed Animal Health Certificate is valid for entry into Europe for 10 days from date of issue. We usually recommend booking an AHC appointment no more than eight days before travel, to allow for any unexpected travel delays.
Rabies vaccination
Any vet can administer the rabies vaccine, but it is important that the vet scans your pet's microchip prior to vaccination (and records in their clinical notes that they have done so). Most -- but not all -- rabies vaccines given in the UK are valid for three years.
As not all routine vaccinations can be given at the same time as a rabies vaccine, please check with your vet (or us) if you are planning to give more than one vaccine. This will ensure that your pet's rabies vaccine will be valid for travel.
We will always check the records provided by your vet in advance of your appointment to ensure we have everything we need; it's good for you to send these to us as early as possible, to avoid last-minute surprises! You can read more about the specific details required to validate a rabies vaccination here.
For dogs travelling to Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta...
Dogs (but not cats or ferrets) travelling to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Norway and Malta require a tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival into these countries. This must be certified on the Animal Health Certificate by a vet.
The tapeworm treatment can be done at the same time as issuing the Animal Health Certificate, providing that the AHC appointment is timed appropriately.
Travel
On arrival at the port of entry to the European Union (the "Travellers' Point of Entry") a border official should check and counter-stamp the Animal Health Certificate to show that you and your pet entered the EU legally.
After entering the EU, the AHC can then be used for further movement around the EU and to return to the UK for up to four months, providing the rabies vaccination remains valid for this period.
