:quality(75))
:quality(75))
Travelling with your pet can be a rewarding, memorable experience. Whether it’s a staycation or a trip further afield, our tailmates often make the easiest travel companions - we know what they like, what they’ll eat and they'll be down for pretty much anything.
But if you’re travelling abroad, you’ll need to get some admin out of the way first. This can get confusing, but we’re here to explain it all in Plain English.
Find out the differences between pet passports and Animal Health Certificates, when you need them, how much they cost and everything else below.
:quality(75))
What's a pet passport?
:quality(75))
A pet passport is an official document that records your pet’s microchip details and health records. It helps make travel between countries easier for cats, dogs and ferrets.
Before Brexit, those of us in the UK could use this to travel to the EU. But after Brexit, UK pet passports are no longer valid for EU travel.
EU-issued passports are only valid for EU residents. If you live in Great Britain, you must use an Animal Health Certificate even if you have an EU passport.
If you’re travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland, you'll need a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD). If you're travelling from GB to the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland, the PTD is not enough: you will still need an Animal Health Certificate.
Curious if you need pet travel insurance? Our article answers just that.
What's an Animal Health Certificate?
:quality(75))
An Animal Health Certificate is an official document that lets cats, dogs and ferrets travel from Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to the EU. It’s a replacement for UK-issued pet passports.
Like old pet passports, they share information about your pet’s microchip, medical and vaccination history.
They’re only valid if:
An official vet issues them
You travel within 10 days of one being issued
They’re for a single departure of up to six months of onward travel
You re-enter the UK at the end of your trip
The purpose is to make sure pets aren’t carrying harmful things like rabies into different countries. We know managing your pet's vaccines is difficult, so read our cat vaccines and puppy vaccination guides if you're lost.
Pet passport vs Animal Health Certificate: key differences
| Feature | EU Pet Passport | Animal Health Certificate (AHC) | NI Pet Travel Document (PTD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | No longer valid for GB residents (as of April 2026). Only for EU/NI residents. | Mandatory for GB residents travelling to the EU. | For travel from GB to Northern Ireland only. |
| Validity | Lifelong (for EU residents). | 10 days for entry; 6 months for onward EU travel/UK return. | Lifelong for the specific pet. |
| Cost | Low (~£20–£50). | High (£100–£300 per trip). | Free. |
| Number of trips | Multi-trip (EU residents only). | Single-use per trip from the UK. | Multi-trip (GB to NI only). |
| Rabies jab? | Yes. Must wait 21 days for jab. | Yes. Must wait 21 days for first jab. | No. |
The main difference is that a pet passport is a longer-lasting, multi-trip document issued in the EU, while an Animal Health Certificate is a single-use document issued in Great Britain for just one departure.
Does my dog need a passport?
:quality(75))
No. If you live in the UK, then you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate, not a pet passport; you can’t get a UK pet passport for EU travel anymore.
What do I use instead of a pet passport?
You can only use an Animal Health Certificate - you can't use a pet passport.
How to get an Animal Health Certificate
:quality(75))
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get an Animal Health Certificate:
Your pet should already be microchipped, but if they haven’t got one, get it done as soon as you can. You can’t travel without one.
Make sure your pet has all of their vaccinations, especially rabies. You must make sure your pet has a rabies vaccination - there is no exception to this, and all their boosters must be up to date. Once vaccinated, you’ll need to wait 21 days from your pet’s rabies vaccination date to travel. That's how long the rabies vaccination takes to work.
Apply for your Animal Health Certificate. You’ll need to do this through your vet. Make sure you have your pet’s microchip details and vaccination history ready.
You may need your pet to be treated for specific parasites, like tapeworms, before you travel to certain countries.
Wait for your certificate to be issued. You then have 10 days to travel.
Your vet will flag any issues with the process, but the application should move easily if you’ve prepared all of the above.
We recommend starting the process around one-to-two months before you travel.
How much is an Animal Health Certificate?
:quality(75))
An Animal Health Certificate typically costs between £100 and £300. The price ranges depending on the urgency, complexity of the certificate and where you’re travelling to.
How long does it take to get one?
:quality(75))
How long does it take to get a pet passport?
The process only takes a few days. But you'll need to wait longer for all the preparation.
For example, it takes around 21 days for the rabies vaccination to work.
How long does it take to get an Animal Health Certificate?
You should talk to your vet about an Animal Health Certificate at least a month or two before you plan to travel. The appointment itself only takes 15 minutes to an hour, but it’s better to get things moving earlier.
Travel checklist for pet parents
:quality(75))
Animal Health Certificate
Food, medications and familiar comfort items
Microchip details
Rabies vaccine
Tapeworm treatment (if required)
How pet travel cover can help
Even while your pet’s abroad, we can help with emergency vet treatment and travel costs if they get ill on our travel cover. That includes worldwide vet fee cover with Complete Care, with EU travel cover included as standard.
That's one less thing to worry about.
Limits apply, and please read your handbook for exact cover.
:quality(75))
FAQs
What’s a pet health certificate?
A pet health certificate - or Animal Health Certificate - is a document that permits you to travel with your cat, dog or ferret from Great Britain to the EU.
Can I reuse an Animal Health Certificate?
No. An Animal Health Certificate is only valid for one departure. But once you are inside the EU, the same certificate allows you to move between different EU countries for up to six months before you have to return home.
Do I need a pet passport for Europe?
No. You’ll need an Animal Health Certificate.
Can any vet issue an Animal Health Certificate?
No. They’ll need to be an Official Veterinarian (OV). Any other vet will not have the authorisation to issue one.
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))
:quality(75))