AHC questions, answered

An AHC is valid for 10 days from issue for entry into the EU, then for onward travel within the EU for up to 4 months, and for re-entry to Great Britain for up to 4 months from the date of issue. Always confirm against current GOV.UK guidance on the day of issue.

The animal must be microchipped before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination, and at least 21 days must have passed since the primary vaccination (counting day 0 as the day of vaccination). Boosters given within the manufacturer's duration of immunity do not require a new wait. Confirm current rules at GOV.UK.

Yes. If the rabies vaccine was administered before microchip identification was recorded, the vaccination does not count for travel purposes and the certificate cannot be issued on that vaccination date.

Dogs travelling directly to certain countries — including Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland — must receive an approved tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before arrival, recorded by a vet. Check the destination requirements on GOV.UK before each AHC.

Up to five animals per AHC, provided they are travelling with the named owner or an authorised person and not for commercial sale or transfer of ownership.

From 1 January 2021, EU pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU, and AHCs replaced them for GB-issued pets. The UK government has signalled an intent to restore a passport-style scheme as part of the 2026 EU agreement, but no date has been published. Confirm at GOV.UK.

The UK government has stated its intent to negotiate the return of a pet-passport-style scheme, but no date has been published and no scheme is currently in force. Until that changes, an AHC is required for travel from GB to the EU.