If you’re a passionate pet owner, you might be looking for ways to bring your pet with you on your trip across in the European Union. But, to take your pet on a trip, you must to obtain the Animal Health Certificate.
Do I need an Animal Health Certificate? It is necessary to obtain the Animal Health Certificate for your pet if you plan to travel across Great Britain to the EU. A Animal Health Certificate is required by law to ensure that ailments like rabies are not be spread. If you are outside the EU You will require an export Health Certificate.
Learn what you need to know about the Animal Health Certificate. This includes the things you should do in advance of your Animal Health Certificate appointment, and the frequency you’ll need to renew your Animal Health Certificate.
What exactly is what is an Animal Health Certificate?
The Animal Health Certificate is a document you must have when you plan to bring your pet, cat, or ferret into a country in the EU or Northern Ireland. It is required that the Animal Health Certificate must be filled out and signed by a veterinarian who is approved by the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) in the first 10 days after departure out of Great Britain.
What are the reasons why an Animal Health Certificate Required?
In 2021, the law was modified by the government of Great Britain, detailing that Pet Passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid documents for taking your pet ferret, or cat to other countries. Instead the Animal Health Certificate is required to verify that your pet is properly vaccine-free. It is required when traveling to an EU country. Animal Health Certificate is required for travel within any EU country to ensure diseases like rabies do not transmitted.
Do I require an AHC to travel for All Countries?
The Animal Health Certificate is required to travel with your pet ferret, cat, or dog between Great Britain to an EU Country or Northern Ireland. For countries that are not part of the EU the Animal Health Certificate is not valid, and instead, you’ll need the Export Health Certificate.
A Export Health Certificate is a form of proof used to verify whether your pet is in compliance with the health requirements specific to the country you’re travelling to. It is crucial to remember that every country outside of the EU will have a unique Export Health Certificate application process and, therefore will require different details.
What is an AHC the same thing as is a Pet Passport?
This Animal Health Certificate is not similar to it is the Pet Passport. The major distinction between them is the the time they’re valid for. Pet passports are valid while they are kept up to current with the appropriate vaccinations. However the Animal Health Certificate is only valid for one journey to the EU and you will need to renew the certificate each whenever you fly. While it is true that the Animal Health Certificate is valid to travel within the EU for 4 months, a fresh AHC will be required if you leave from the EU at any time during your travels.
What are the requirements to get the issuance of an Animal Health Certificate?
To qualify to receive the Animal Health Certificate, you must meet a number of standards or you’ll not be allowed to travel with your pet or cat to any country within the EU. Below , we’ve outlined the requirements in order to make things a bit simpler for you to meet them.
Mandatory Requirements
To make sure that your pet is eligible for the Animal Health Certificate they need to meet the following specifications:
Your pet should be microchipped prior to or during the same time for their rabies vaccination. The pet should also be vaccinated against rabies within the last 21 days prior an Animal Health Certificate appointment, or if it’s an additional vaccine. Be aware that your pet has to at minimum 12 weeks old in order for this vaccine.
Additional Requirements
If you’re planning to travel to countries like Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland, or Norway your veterinarian should examine your pet for tapeworms. They will verify this in the Animal Health Certificate. The treatment should be given not under 24 hours and no longer than 120 days prior to the date you depart.
The treatment should be accepted by the nation it is given and also contain Praziquantel, or a similar medication that has been proved for its effectiveness against Echinococcus Multilocularis tapeworm.
What information do I need to Supply Prior to the AHC Appointment?
Prior to your Animal Health Certificate appointment it is crucial to fill in the pre-appointment application as soon as you can. It will typically be sent via either text or email. It will require you to complete the details of your pet, including uploading duplicates of the pet’s vaccine record and the rabies. The AHC is unable to fill out the form until the information is completed. Incorrectly filling out the form could cause the cancellation of the AHC.
The rabies vaccine record may be provided in any of the following methods:
A valid GB as well as an EU Pet Passport
Rabies vaccination certificate/ vaccination card
Notes from previous veterinary clinical notes
The Rabies vaccination certificate is valid provided it contains your pet’s microchip’s number as well as the specifics of their rabies history which includes the name of the date of administration, the brand, the date the vaccination was administered, as well as the batch number. It must also be verified by a competent vet.
What Should I bring to my AHC Appointment?
When you go to you Animal Health Certificate appointment, it is important to bring two thingswith you:
Your pet
Bring your pet with you to your appointment, in case additional checks are required to be done.
Their documents of proof of rabies
For instance, the rabies vaccination certificate or certificate that has the microchip number of your pet’s pet printed on the back, or even your older European Union or GB Pet Passport with an active rabies vaccination on it.
How long is the Animal Health Certificate Valid For?
Animal health certificates can be used for entry into within the EU in the first 10 days from their date of issue. They are valid for travel within the EU and for your return journey to the UK for up to four months. When you decide to travel back across the border and leave of the EU the certificate will cease be valid and you’ll have to apply for an updated Animal Health Certificate.
How often do I need to get an AHC?
You must obtain the latest Animal Health Certificate each time you intend to travel to Europe. EU via Great Britain. Animal Health Certificates are valid for one journey across the EU border and also when you returning to Great Britain. However, if you decide to leave the EU during your travels then a new AHC will be required in order to return back to EU.
How Long Does It Take to get an AHC?
It is currently on a waitlist that can last up to four weeks to schedule your Animal Health Certificate appointment so make sure you book your appointment ahead., AHC paperwork is part-time completed before the appointment time, and the rest completed during your 45-minute appointment. It is imperative that for the person to complete the appointment pre-formal AHC form is present at the appointment or else the document will not be valid.
This is why it’s essential to plan your trip with all the necessary information and documents that is submitted prior to your appointment. After that the procedure is simple and, within a matter of minutes your pet will be capable of traveling.
When do I travel? I require an AHC?
You must schedule the Animal Health Certificate appointment within 10 days of traveling. Make sure you allow extra time to fill out the online form and allow for the paperwork for your pet to be completed. In this way, you’ll have enough time to ensure that any issues are corrected prior to the time you need to leave for your trip.
An appointment typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour, but you should be aware that we require a 50 percent non-refundable payment when you make your scheduling. Make sure there are the proper date and time prior to booking your appointment.
How Old Should a Pet Be in order to be eligible for an AHC?
To qualify to receive the Animal Health Certificate and travel to the EU from Great Britain, your pet must be a at least 12 weeks old. This is due to the fact that twelve weeks are the minimum age that your pet will be vaccinated against rabies an essential requirement of this Animal Health Certificate.
Additionally, you will need to wait for at minimum 21 days after your pet’s vaccination for rabies before you make your Animal Health Certificate appointment. Be aware of this when you make an appointment.
Do Assistance Dogs need an AHC?
Assistance dogs are required to have the Animal Health Certificate when travelling beyond Great Britain into an EU country. The process may be more difficult for an assistance dog, however if you schedule the Animal Health Certificate appointment within acceptable time before you travel it shouldn’t be any problems obtaining the certificate on time.
What to Do If You’re with Your Pet
In some instances, you may not be traveling with your pet. alternatively, they could be traveling with their friends or family members, or with an organization that hires pet transport. This is what you should do in these situations:
Pet is Traveling All by Himself
If your pet travels by itself, using an animal transport service then you’ll need to supply the information of the company that is providing the transportation to your vet prior to when your Animal Health Certificate appointment takes place.
It is a mandatory obligation to be returned to your pet in the location within five days of the day they leave. The company that transports pets must be able to provide documentation detailing the date you intend to reunite with your pet following the journey.
Pet is travelling with Friends/Family
If your pet travels with a named family member (or family member) you need to present your vet with an authorization letter that states that you’re in agreement with you to allow the person who is named on your form to go with your pet. It is also mandatory that you return to your pet within five days after their departure and the person who was named traveling with your pet has to be able to provide documentation that clarifies the details.
I’ve got an Pet Passport – Is It Still Valid?
Since January 1st of 2020, Pet Passports are no anymore valid for travel with your pet in the EU unless issued by the EU country. In rare instances, Pet Passports can still be used for travel but only if the destination is still accepting the documents.
If there is no proof the case, the Pet Passport doesn’t completely go to waste as it can serve to prove that your pet was vaccinated against the rabies virus. This is a condition when you apply to get the Animal Health Certificate.
When will you be able to return to UK? UK is Tapeworm Treatments Required?
The rules for tapeworms generally only apply to dogs however, it is essential to know this details to make sure that your pet is able to return to the UK in the event that you intend to do that. Every time you return the UK after traveling to the EU it is essential to make sure that treatment for tapeworms is administered within 24-120 hours from when you are planning to re-enter the UK with an approved veterinarian.
The veterinarian must document the treatment of tapeworms on Section 2 on Your Animal Health Certificate in order to permit your pet permission to return to UK. This is not the case for those who plan to return directly via Northern Ireland, Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway.
Tips for Traveling within Europe EU With Pets
Going abroad is stressful at worst of times, and even more so the need to plan the travel of your pet as well. We’ve outlined our top suggestions for traveling within the EU with your pet to make your travel experience as effortless as you can.
Make Your Reservation For your Animal Health Certificate In Advance
Making an appointment to get an appointment to get your Animal Health Certificate in advance is crucial to ensure an enjoyable journey to EU along with your animal. Due to the processing time of paperwork it is crucial to leave sufficient for time in between an Animal Health Certificate appointment and the day that you intend to travel to ensure that you have enough the time to correct any changes you might have made in your application.
It is also advised to include some flexibility within your schedule, making sure to account for delays in travel in the event of a return or departure from Great Britain.
Make sure you check the requirements for the country you are traveling to.
There are countries that may have additional requirements to travel with pets, but they aren’t an all-inclusive obligation across the board.
For instance, The Faroe Islands only permits pets if you plan to stay longer than three months, whereas Iceland requires a long 30 day quarantine. In France there are several breeds of dogs classified as dangerous (which may require additional restrictions).
Check to see if your pet has been Vaccinated against Rabies
At a minimum you must ensure that your pet is immunized against rabies for minimum 21 days prior the Animal Health Certificate appointment. If you do not have the appropriate vaccines in place, the pet may not be able to travel within the EU or the EU, and this could result in a significant delay in the Animal Health Certificate process.
Verify if the country is pet-friendly.
Certain EU countries are considered to be more pet-friendly than other countries. If you’re planning to travel to a vacation destination, as opposed to visiting relatives or friends it’s worth investigating which countries are most accommodating to pets. One of the last things you want is to have your furry friend remain in the same place for the duration of your trip.
