To get a pet passport (or the equivalent for UK residents, an Animal Health Certificate - AHC), you must first microchip your pet, get it rabies vaccinated (waiting 21 days), and then visit an Official Veterinarian (OV) with all records for documentation; the AHC is valid for 10 days to enter the EU and 4 months for onward travel/re-entry, but you can't get an EU pet passport in Great Britain anymore, only in the EU/NI.
You will need to bring your pet for an appointment with an Official Veterinary Surgeon (OV) within 10 days of your date of travel. You will need to bring evidence of date of microchipping and rabies vaccination with you. The AHC is valid for 4 months and will allow you to return to the UK within that time frame.
At PassPets, we specialise in pet travel documentation and our team of Official Veterinarians have helped thousands of pet owners travel to the EU with our low cost Animal Health Certificate service - just £99 per certificate. We'll be ready to issue UK pet passports as soon as they are available.
India does not issue “Indian pet passports.” This is the term typically used when referring to obtaining all the correct documents before traveling. Before entering India, you'll need a health certificate and potentially an import permit for your pet to enter the country.
Pet passports can be issued within 24 hours Monday to Friday. However, after your pet has received their rabies vaccination, you must wait 21 days to travel. Most people allow ample time to get their pets a passport, but it can be obtained in around 3 weeks to a month if needed.
Proof of microchipping and identification. Rabies vaccination certificate, along with records of other vaccinations, if any. Health certificate issued by the veterinarian. Submit the necessary documentation to the authorized government agency responsible for issuing pet passports.
For travel from the UK in the cabin, options are very limited, with KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, Vueling, and Iberia (via LEVEL) being key European carriers allowing small pets (under 8kg) in carriers under the seat on specific routes, while major UK airlines like British Airways don't permit pets in the cabin, only as cargo. For domestic UK travel, Loganair allows pets in the cabin on some Scottish inter-island flights, and Skybus serves the Isles of Scilly.
Only authorized veterinarians can issue this document. During the consultation, make sure your pet is identified by a microchip or tattoo. This identification is compulsory before the passport can be issued.
What paperwork do I need to take my dog to Europe from the UK?
Get an animal health certificate from your vet if you're going to an EU country. 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.
Following the announcement by the Prime Minister on 19 May 2025, a new deal between the EU and the UK will include the re-introduction of EU pet passports. This should mean that for travel between the EU and the UK you can apply for a lifelong pet passport, rather than a one-off Animal Health Certificate.
A pet passport is an official document that records information about a specific animal as part of travel procedures. The effect is to drastically speed up and simplify travel with and transport of animals between member countries, compared to previous procedures if the regulations are followed.
Getting a pet passport is a simple and painless process that takes about a half hour. You do not need to apply for a pet passport. Simply find a licensed veterinarian and make an appointment after you have arrived in Europe.
Pets must remain in their carrier underneath the seat in front of you at all times. Airlines may restrict in-cabin pets on certain aircraft or routes, like those we mentioned already, with strict rabies requirements. If you're traveling with a larger dog, they must travel in cargo.
The cost for an AHC typically ranges from £150 to £350, depending on the specific requirements. This includes a microchip (£10–£30), a rabies vaccination (£40–£70), and the AHC issuance by a vet (£100–£200) after a 21-day wait following the rabies shot.
How do I get a pet passport? Rather than pet owners needing a GB-issued EU Pet Passport, owners need to obtain the AHC (Animal Health Certificate) from their pet's vet for each trip they take to a European country (including Northern Ireland).
Others may have country-specific health certificates that must be endorsed by a government authority, such as the USDA in the United States. If you're wondering, “Can your pet travel without a passport?”, the answer is generally no. Pets without proper documentation can be refused entry or placed in lengthy quarantine.
Can I take my dog to Ireland without a pet passport?
3. Get an Animal Health Certificate issued within 10 days of your travel date. All dogs travelling to the Republic of Ireland are required to have either an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) or an EU-issued pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination in.
Your pet must always remain inside the carrier while on board. Carriers must be placed below the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing. You may hold your pet in their carrier on your lap during the flight.
EasyJet's pet policy is very strict: no pets are allowed on their flights except for registered guide and assistance dogs, as they do not carry live animals in the cabin or as checked baggage. Passengers with registered assistance dogs must ensure they have all necessary travel documents, and the dog must comply with destination country regulations and fit within the space at the passenger's feet.
To secure the pet passport, the dog must receive a rabies shot and/or a certificate denoting an up-to-date rabies vaccination. The vet will also fit the animal with an electronic microchip or tattoo that properly identifies the dog. Some countries also request proof of treatment for ticks and tapeworm.
There are also sections to record the tapeworm treatments required for entry to the UK. You can even have a scary passport photo of your pet included although this is optional.
