Taking Your Pet
Abroad from the UK
Everything you need to know about costs, documents, and requirements for travelling with your pet. Post-Brexit rules explained.
Total Cost Summary: UK to EU (2026)
| Requirement | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Health Certificate (AHC) | £100–£250 | Required every trip |
| Rabies vaccination | £50–£80 | One-off, then boosters |
| Microchip | £20–£30 | If not already done |
| Tapeworm treatment (return) | £10–£20 | Dogs only, for UK return |
| Total (first trip) | £180–£380 | Subsequent trips: AHC + tapeworm |
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) — £100-250
Since Brexit, UK pet owners travelling to the EU need an Animal Health Certificate instead of the old EU Pet Passport. The AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) — not all vets are OVs, so check in advance.
The AHC must be issued within 10 days of travel. It confirms your pet is microchipped, has a valid rabies vaccination, and is fit to travel. For dogs, it also records tapeworm treatment status.
The cost varies significantly between practices: central London vets may charge £200-250 while rural practices may charge £100-150. It is worth shopping around — the certificate is the same regardless of the vet's fee.
Important: You need a new AHC for every trip from the UK to the EU. Unlike the old pet passport system, there is no reusable document. Budget £110-250 per trip for the certificate alone.
Rabies Vaccination — £50-80
Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel. The vaccine must be administered after the microchip has been implanted (the microchip number is recorded on the vaccination certificate).
The initial vaccination costs £50-80. Booster vaccinations are needed every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine used. If your pet's rabies vaccination lapses, you must start the 21-day waiting period again.
Rabies vaccination is not a standard UK vaccination (since the UK is rabies-free), so you may need to specifically request it. Not all vets stock the rabies vaccine routinely — call ahead to check.
Microchip — £20-30
All dogs in the UK must already be microchipped by law (since 2016), and cats must be microchipped (since June 2024). The microchip must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant — virtually all UK microchips meet this standard.
The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If your pet was microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies, you are fine. If the order was wrong, the rabies vaccination will not be considered valid for travel purposes.
If your pet is not yet microchipped, costs are £20-30 at most vets. Some charities offer free microchipping.
Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only) — £10-20
Dogs returning to the UK must have tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment administered by a vet 24 to 120 hours (1-5 days) before arrival in the UK. This means you need to visit a vet abroad before your return journey.
The treatment must contain praziquantel (or an equivalent) and the vet must record it in your AHC. This rule applies to dogs only — not cats or ferrets.
The cost is typically £10-20 (or equivalent in the destination country). Factor in the inconvenience of finding a vet abroad within the timing window.
EU vs Non-EU Travel Requirements
EU / Northern Ireland
- Microchip (ISO standard)
- Rabies vaccination (21 days before)
- AHC (within 10 days of travel)
- Tapeworm treatment for return (dogs)
Non-EU Countries
- Requirements vary by country
- Some require rabies blood titre test (£60-100)
- May need export health certificate
- Quarantine may apply (e.g. Australia, New Zealand)
Always check gov.uk and the destination country's requirements well in advance.
What Changed After Brexit
Before 1 January 2021, UK pet owners could travel to EU countries using an EU Pet Passport — a reusable blue booklet that recorded vaccinations and treatments. You only needed to pay once, and the passport lasted for the pet's lifetime.
Since Brexit, UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for EU travel. The UK is now classified as a "Part 2 listed third country" by the EU, meaning you need a new Animal Health Certificate for every trip.
This has significantly increased the cost and admin burden for pet owners who travel regularly. If you travel to the EU multiple times per year, you could be paying £200-500 annually just for AHCs.
Tip: If you have an EU-issued pet passport (e.g. from an EU member state), it is still valid for travel between EU countries. Only UK-issued passports are affected.
Step-by-Step: Preparing Your Pet for EU Travel
3+ months before
Check microchip
Ensure your pet is microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip. If not, get this done first.
3+ months before
Rabies vaccination
Get the rabies vaccination (must be at least 21 days before travel). The chip must already be in place.
1-10 days before
Book OV appointment
Book an appointment with an Official Veterinarian to get your AHC. Not all vets are OVs — check the APHA list.
1-10 days before
Get AHC issued
The OV will examine your pet, check the microchip, verify rabies vaccination, and issue the Animal Health Certificate.
Day of travel
Travel with documents
Carry the original AHC, vaccination records, and microchip details. You may be checked at the border.
1-5 days before return
Tapeworm treatment (dogs)
Visit a vet abroad to get tapeworm treatment recorded in your AHC. Must be 24-120 hours before UK arrival.
Related Guides
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