Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain

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Animal health certificate (AHC)

Your pet can enter Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) with an animal health certificate (AHC) if all the following apply:

  • the AHC was issued in Great Britain
  • you’re travelling from the EU or another country where you can use an AHC
  • it’s less than 4 months since the date you entered the EU or a country that accepts AHCs

Check that your vet fills in the AHC correctly. It should be signed, dated and include your pet’s vaccinations and tapeworm treatments.

If your AHC expires when you’re abroad

If you stay abroad for more than 4 months, to bring your pet back to Great Britain you’ll need either:

Getting an AHC in Great Britain

Find out more about getting an AHC.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Bring your pet to Great Britain: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you can bring your pet

    1. Check if you can bring your pet
    2. Find out how you're allowed to travel to Great Britain
    3. Check different rules for guide and assistance dogs

  2. Step 2 Get your pet microchipped

    1. Check the rules for microchips

  3. Step 3 Get your pet vaccinated against rabies

    1. Check the rules about rabies vaccinations

    You must wait for a set period of time after vaccination before you can travel.

    Depending on the country you're travelling from, you might also need to get a blood test.

  4. and Get tapeworm treatment

    If you have a dog, you may also need to get tapeworm treatment before you travel.

    1. Check the rules about tapeworm treatment

  5. Step 4 Get a pet travel document

    1. Check which travel document you need