FAQs

An AHC is the official document required to take dogs, cats, or ferrets from Great Britain into the European Union (EU), Switzerland, and Norway. It confirms that your pet is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

At Lakes Pet Travel the cost is £99.00 for a standard AHC for one pet and £69.00 for a repeat AHC for that pet.  Please see the Services and Pricing page for more details.

We are based near Kendal in Cumbria, near the Lake District in the UK. We are only a few minutes off the M6 motorway and close to both the Lancashire and North Yorkshire borders

• Every traveling pet must be vaccinated against rabies before departure. There is a minimum waiting period of 21 days between the rabies vaccination date and the issuing of your AHC.

• • Example – Rabies Vaccination given on the 1st June – The first day that it is possible to issue the AHC is the 22nd June

• Our urgent service covers last minute travel with short notice issuing of the AHC paperwork. Please note the minimum time for vaccination to signing of the AHC depends on the brand used. Some brands of rabies vaccination have a longer period before they are valid for travel. 

An AHC is needed for pet dogs, cats or ferrets that are travelling from the UK into the EU and the AHC also allows those same pets to travel back into the UK.

There is a maximum of five pets per AHC. They do not have to all be the same species, for example, you could travel with two dogs and 1 cat. However, they do have to all have the same owner and not be being sold or changing owners. 

• To enter the EU: It is valid for 10 days from the date your Official Veterinarian signs and issues it.

• To travel within the EU: Once you pass through EU border control, it allows onward travel between EU countries for up to 6 months.

• To return to the UK: It covers your trip back home to Great Britain for up to 6 months from the issue date, provided your pet's rabies vaccination doesn't expire while you are away.

No. An AHC can only be used for a single entry into the EU from Great Britain. Once you bring your pet back home that specific certificate becomes invalid. Every time you plan a new trip abroad, a brand-new certificate must be issued.

If you are a Great Britain resident, no. The EU rules changed on 22nd April 2026 to close a loophole. EU pet passports—even if they were originally issued in the EU—are no longer valid for entry into the EU if the owner's main residence is in Great Britain. You must get an AHC for your trip. (Note: If you already have an EU passport issued prior to that date, as long as it is valid and all the details are correct, it can still be used by your OV as proof of your pet's rabies vaccination to issue your AHC.)

Your pet will need a valid rabies vaccination to have an AHC issued. They do not need any further vaccinations to travel although it is recommended to also be up to date with their standard vaccinations. Please also see the AHC Process - Step by Step page for more details.

Dogs will need a worming treatment effective against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm between 24 hours and 120 hours of entry to Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Malta or return to Great Britain. This needs to be given by a veterinarian and documented on their AHC. Please also see the AHC Process - Step by Step page for more details.

Please email: info@lakespettravel.com

Or use the enquiry form on the Contact page to enter your details and enquiry into a google form and we will get back to you.

We aim to respond to enquiries within 5 working days.

Lakes Pet Travel does not have a registration to be able to store and dispense prescription-only medications such as rabies vaccinations or worming tablets. However, our vet can administer wormers prescribed by your primary veterinarian and sign the AHC to document that they have been given at the collection appointment.

Taking your pet abroad - GOV.UK Website

Bring your pet to Great Britain - GOV.UK Website