Travel Documents

An EU issued pet passport is valid for travel within all of the EU member states as well as the UK and Northern Ireland. 

Providing the following information and requirements are met- 

-Details of ownership, this must also be signed by the owner 

-Description of animal, including birth date, Breed and Sex

-Microchip/ Identification of animal and date of implantation (must be before or same day as the primary rabies vaccine)

-Details of vet issuing passport, must be signed and stamped by the issuing vet

-Vaccination against rabies (must be at least 12 weeks of age) and be given at least 21 days prior to the travel date 

-Worming treatment (for dogs leaving the EU entering the UK or Ireland, valid from 24 hours after the treatment up to 120 hours.)

Since December 31st 2020, Only EU vets can enter rabies vaccinations into an EU pet passport. A vet from any county may enter tape worm treatments into an EU passport.

Valid for the life of the pet or until there is no longer space left to enter vaccine information.

A UK issued pet passport is no longer valid for travel to or within the EU 

If you are travelling from the UK you will need to obtain an AHC (Animal health certificate) from an UK vet. If you are travelling from or within the EU you will need to obtain an EU pet passport, Issued by a vet in your country of residence. 

A UK pet passport issued originally in Northern Ireland by an NI vet can still be used to travel into the EU with some small adjustments (your vet in Northern Ireland can help you with these) A NI based vet can also still enter vaccine details into an EU issued passport.

An animal health certificate or AHC is now needed for any dog, cat or ferret to leave the UK and enter the EU. These can only be issued by Official Veterinarians ( OV)

They contain the same information as a pet passport and therefore need to meet the same requirements along with a few extras.

-Details of owner 

-First point of entry into the EU, the certificate must be in english and the language of the first point of entry to the EU

-Description of animal, including birth date, Breed and Sex

-Microchip/ Identification of animal and date of implantation, must be before or same day as the primary rabies vaccine

-Details of vet issuing the certificate, must be signed and stamped by the issuing vet (on all pages)

-Vaccination against rabies (must be at least 12 weeks of age)

-Worming treatment (for dogs leaving the EU entering the UK or Ireland, valid from 24 hours after the treatment up to 120 hours.)

-Supporting documents that prove the above requirements are met

Your pet must enter the EU within 10 days of the certificates date of issue. It is valid for 4 months from the date of issue. It can be used to travel between any EU member state or return to the UK while still valid.