Planning a holiday with your pet? Whether you’re taking your dog or cat to Europe, Ireland, or beyond, it’s important to understand the latest pet travel requirements before you set off.
Travelling with pets has become increasingly popular, but there are several steps you’ll need to complete before departure to ensure your journey goes smoothly. From rabies vaccinations and Animal Health Certificates to parasite prevention and travel-related disease risks, here’s everything you need to know about taking your pet abroad.
Before your pet can travel internationally, their microchip must be checked and they must receive a valid rabies vaccination.
After vaccination, there is a mandatory waiting period of at least 21 days before the vaccine becomes valid for travel purposes. Our rabies vaccines provide protection for three years; however, it is essential that booster vaccinations are administered before the expiry date to maintain continuous protection and travel eligibility.
If a rabies vaccination lapses, your pet will need a new vaccination and another 21-day waiting period before they can travel.
An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required for UK pets travelling to the EU and returning to the UK.
Once you have confirmed your travel dates, contact us at ahc@hooknortonvets.co.uk. We will send you a form requesting details about your travel plans and your pet, allowing us to prepare your Animal Health Certificate in advance.
If your pet’s rabies vaccination was administered by another veterinary practice, we will require documented evidence showing both the microchip number and rabies vaccination history.
Since 22 April 2026, UK pet owners who are not residents of an EU country can no longer travel using an EU Pet Passport.
This means that even if your pet has a previously issued EU Pet Passport, you will now need an Animal Health Certificate to enter the EU unless you are an EU resident.
If you believe this change may affect your travel plans, please contact us for advice before booking your trip.
If you are returning to the UK from an EU country, your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment from an authorised veterinarian between 24 hours and 5 days before re-entering the UK.
The treating veterinarian will record the date and time of administration in your Animal Health Certificate. Without this treatment and documentation, your pet may not be permitted to re-enter the UK.
Many countries within Europe have diseases that are uncommon in the UK but can pose serious health risks to pets. These include:
Depending on your destination, your pet may be exposed to ticks, mosquitoes, sandflies and other parasites capable of transmitting disease.
Before travelling, we strongly recommend using a parasite prevention programme that protects against both external parasites and internal worms. If you are unsure whether your current parasite control product provides adequate protection for your destination, please discuss this with us during your Animal Health Certificate appointment.
As international pet travel continues to increase, so does the risk of introducing exotic diseases into the UK.
For this reason, any pet that has travelled outside the UK (with the exception of Ireland) is classified as a “Travelled Pet”. This includes:
For certain procedures and treatments, we may need to know the Brucellosis status of a travelled pet. This may include situations where:
Brucellosis is a disease that can potentially affect both animals and humans, making it important to identify any risk before proceeding with treatment.
If Brucellosis testing is required, our team will discuss the process with you and explain the reasons behind the recommendation.
Preparing for pet travel doesn’t have to be stressful. By ensuring your pet’s vaccinations, documentation and parasite protection are all in place well before departure, you can enjoy your holiday with confidence.
If you have any questions about travelling abroad with your pet, obtaining an Animal Health Certificate, or preparing your dog or cat for travel, please get in touch with our team. We’re here to help make your journey as smooth and safe as possible.
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