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Travelling with Your Pet to the EU

What You Need to Know Post-Brexit

Since Brexit, the rules for travelling with pets to the EU have changed significantly. UK-issued Pet Passports are no longer valid for entry into Europe.

Instead, pets travelling from the UK to the EU now require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)—a detailed, multi-page document that must be issued by an Official Veterinary Surgeon (OVS) and cannot be completed at short notice due to specific health requirements.

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Requirements for an Animal Health Certificate

To be eligible for an AHC, your pet (dog, cat, or ferret) must:

  • Have a microchip inserted before or on the same day as their rabies vaccination

  • Receive a Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel

  • Receive a Tapeworm treatment (required for travel to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Finland, or Malta)

For full details, visit the official government page:
🔗 gov.uk – Pet travel to the EU or NI

Contact the Pet Travel Scheme Helpline:
📧 pettravel@apha.gov.uk
📞 0370 241 1710 (Monday to Friday)

How Long Is an AHC Valid?

  • 10 days for entry into the EU from the UK

  • 4 months for onward travel within the EU and re-entry to the UK

  • A new certificate is required for each trip from the UK to the EU

What You Need to Do

To apply for an Animal Health Certificate through Aldeburgh Vets:

  1. Give at least 2 weeks' notice before your intended travel date

  2. Book an appointment with one of our Official Veterinary Surgeons 

  3. Submit the required travel information and documents to us at least 1 week prior to your appointment (or 1 month ahead if your pet needs an updated rabies vaccination)

📧 Please send your completed travel form and supporting documents to:
contact@aldeburghvets.co.uk

⚠️ Note: We cannot begin preparing your Animal Health Certificate until all required information and documents have been received.

Have questions or need help with travel documents?
📞 Call us on 01728 598111 – we’re happy to guide you through the process.

Returning to Great Britain

Dogs must be treated for tapeworm not less than 24 hours, not more than 120 hours before time of entry back into Great Britain except for return from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Finland or Malta.

This treatment needs to be administered by a vet and recorded on the Animal Health Certificate.

If you are returning to Great Britain within 120 hours of leaving it you need to have this tapewormer treatment BEFORE leaving the UK.