You can’t get a pet passport in England, Scotland or Wales. Pets in Northern Ireland still can, because NI follows EU rules.
If you’re travelling from the rest of the UK, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead. This single-use document lists your pet’s details, including their microchip number and rabies vaccination status.
In this guide, we’ll cover the paperwork you’ll need before travelling to Europe.
What is a pet passport?
The pet passport was an official document from your vet containing information on your pet's identity. Having one of these means you could travel to the EU (and a few other countries) with your pet and avoid quarantine.
You can't get pet passports in the UK now. You can only get them in the EU and Northern Ireland. Your pet has to be a resident in one of these countries to be eligible for one.
Since 1 January 2021, the EU replaced pet passports with Animal Health Certificates (AHC). You need to get an AHC for each trip you do to the EU, rather than having a passport that you can update. We'll go into more detail on this later.
The old pet passports had this information on it:
-
Your pet's microchip number
-
Your details (or the owner's)
-
Health information - for example, if your pet has had a rabies vaccination
-
Blood tests
-
Tapeworm treatment (for dogs)
Can I get a pet passport in the UK?
You can't get a passport for your pet anymore. If you want to travel with your pet you have to get an AHC. But if you're a resident in Northern Ireland, you can still apply for a pet passport because NI follows EU rules.
Some people try to travel from the UK to Northern Ireland to get a pet passport, but NI vets are only supposed to give passports to pets that are residents or based in NI.
From June 2025, you can apply for a pet travel document for travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. These are free and last for your pet's lifetime.
What's the difference between animal health certificates and pet passports?
With a pet passport, you could update your pet passport with rabies information etc. and use it for several trips.
An AHC is single-use. You have to get a new one every time you travel, and it must be issued within 10 days of your trip.
Because you need an AHC every time you travel, you have to pay each time, so it could be slightly more expensive than the pet passport.
You'd only need to pay the vet fees for the booster updates for the pet passport.
How can I apply for an animal health certificate?
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an AHC:
1. Find a DEFRA-authorised vet
First you need to find a DEFRA-authorised 'official veterinarian'. Ask your veterinary practice whether they can do AHCs, if not, try and find one that does on GOV.UK.
2. Book your appointment
Then you need to book your appointment. You have to have your AHC sorted within 10 days of your travel date. But the sooner you do it the better - vets can get booked up quickly around school holidays.
3. Make sure your pet meets the requirements
Your pet should have a microchip, a rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment (if you're taking your dog). You have to get your rabies vaccination after you've had your pet microchipped or 21 days before you travel.
4. Give your vet the details
You'll need to tell your vet:
-
Your name
-
Your address (where the pet lives)
-
Your travel plans
-
Your pet's details (species, breed, sex, age and microchip number)
5. Get your vet to issue a certificate
Your official vet checks and confirms your records and pet's vaccinations. They'll then complete the AHC in English and in your destination's language.
Remember, you have to take the original AHC with you, you can't take a photocopy.
How long are animal health certificates valid for?
Your AHC is valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland within 10 days of it being signed off. Then, when you're in the EU, it's valid for 4 months for onward travel.
You can return on your AHC too, you just need to come back within the 4-month window.
How much does an animal health certificate cost?
The AHC cost varies depending on the vet, but it's usually between £100-£200. It costs more if you're covering multiple pets. If you travel lots, you'll need to get a new AHC each time, so it could add up.
On top of that is the cost of vaccine boosters and the vet fees attached to that.
What medical requirements are there for animal health certificates?
You'll need:
-
A rabies vaccination. This costs around £50-£90 in the UK, the annual booster costs between £40 and £70. Always go with your DEFRA-approved vet for these.
-
A microchip. This is a legal requirement for cats and dogs in the UK. Usually this costs around £10-£30. But some charities might offer this for free or subsidise the cost.
-
Tapeworm treatment (for dogs). It's a good idea to get this treatment from your vet, that way you know it's approved and valid for your AHC.
Some airlines might ask for reassurance on your pet's health and ask for a fit to fly statement - particularly if you have an older cat or an older dog or if your pet has pre-existing medical conditions. Your vet can do this for you if you need it.
Can I travel outside the EU with my pet?
You can't use your AHC outside of the EU. You'll need a specific veterinary health certificate issued by a DEFRA-authorised vet. You'll need to complete an export health certificate (EHC) and complete an export application form (EXA).
This has some of your AHC information on it (your microchip number, rabies vaccines etc.), plus any extras that the country needs you to have.
Some countries need you to get a blood test for rabies, others might enforce quarantine. New Zealand and Australia, for example, enforce a quarantine ranging from 10-30 days.
You'll also need to have your documents ready around 10-14 days before you travel, potentially alongside a 'fit for travel' statement from your vet.
The main thing to do is check the requirements for the country you're visiting and make sure you leave enough time to meet them. For example, if your pet needs a blood test for rabies, you'll need to do this months before you travel.
All of this comes at a cost, so make sure you're budgeting for this if you're heading abroad with your pet.
Does pet insurance cover the cost of animal health certificates?
No, pet insurance doesn't cover the cost of an AHC. But it can cover the cost of some of the cost of vet treatments if your pet gets ill or injured while you're abroad.
Your accommodation is usually covered too if you have to stay on while they're getting treatment. Plus, it'll cover you if your pet gets stolen or goes missing.
As always with insurance, the levels of cover vary, so check exactly what you're covered for on your pet insurance paperwork.
You might just have to add this type of cover to your pet insurance too - it's not usually included as standard.
cookie usage