Before You Book

The EU, Norway and Switzerland

Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) are for travel from the UK to the EU, Norway or Switzerland, or other part 1 listed countries such as Andorra. In order to be eligible for an AHC, your pet must:

• Be a dog, cat or ferret, and not an F1 hybrid (a cross between a wild cat and a domestic cat, or a wolf and a domestic dog).

• Have a valid rabies vaccination

• Be microchipped or have a legible tattoo imprinted prior to 3 July 2011

You must supply evidence of your pet's microchip and rabies vaccine.

Please click here to download a PDF of the full guidance.

There is also further information on the UK Government website.

The Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme

From 4th June 2025, The NI Pet Travel Scheme allows the non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats, ferrets and guide/assistance dogs between the UK and NI with a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD). It is free of charge and valid for the lifetime of the pet and for repeat trips.

• Pets must be microchipped and over 12 weeks of age

• The owner must be over 16 years old and live at an address in Great Britain

• The nature of the movement must be non-commercial (no change of ownership)

• Rabies vaccinations, tapeworm treatments, and certification by an OV are NOT required.

Please click here to download a PDF of the full guidance.

More information can also be found on the DAERA and UK Government websites.

Non-EU countries

Unfortunately I am not offering a service outside of the AHC service, currently. But please find guidance here to help start your journey.

The certificates required for most non-EU international travel are called Export Health Certificates (EHCs). Each non-EU country is unique and has very different import requirements which are determined by the authorities in that country, meaning every EHC is different. So it is essential that you, the owner, and your selected OV investigate these before agreeing to an export.

The owner is responsible for researching the import requirements of the proposed destination and applying for an import licence if this is required.

EHCs are ordered on EHC Online and the documents themselves give clues as to the import requirements. Owners can find samples of the latest version of EHCs and their corresponding Notes For Guidance (NFGs) via the GOV.UK Form Finder service.

Further guidance can be found here and here on the UK Government website, and by checking the official government website of the destination country, or contacting the destination country's competent authority for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Some countries (e.g. South Africa and Australia) have extensive testing and treatment requirements which must be completed within specific timeframes. Some of these are quite far in advance. You must research the requirements early to make sure you can fulfil them.