Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad
Getting an animal health certificate
You need an animal health certificate for your dog, cat or ferret if you’re travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) or Northern Ireland to an EU country.
You can add up to 5 pets to an animal health certificate.
When to get an animal health certificate
You must get an animal health certificate before you enter the EU. The certificate is valid for travel any time within 10 days after it’s issued by your vet, so you’ll need to travel during this time. Day 1 is the date the animal health certificate is issued.
To get an animal health certificate, your pet must either:
- have an up-to-date rabies vaccination already
- only need booster doses to keep the vaccination up to date
If your pet needs a rabies vaccination, you need to wait for it to work before getting your animal health certificate. Ask your vet how long you must wait - some rabies vaccinations take longer to work than others.
You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given. Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination.
Tell your vet you need an animal health certificate when you take your pet to get vaccinated. This gives your vet time to prepare it.
Example
A vet vaccinates your pet against rabies on 1 October using a vaccine which takes 30 days to work. You can go to your vet to get an animal health certificate on 1 November.
After the animal health certificate is issued on 1 November, you can enter the EU with your pet any time up to and including 10 November.
How to get an animal health certificate
You must take your pet to your vet to get an animal health certificate.
The certificate needs to be signed by an ‘official veterinarian’ (OV). Check your vet can issue animal health certificates. If they cannot, ask them to help you find an OV.
When you visit your vet, you’ll need to take proof of your pet’s:
- microchipping date
- vaccination history
Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:
- 10 days for entry into the EU
- 4 months for onward travel within the EU after you enter the EU
- 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain
Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country from Great Britain or Northern Ireland.