A pet passport is an official, veterinarian-issued document designed to facilitate the international travel of dogs, cats, and ferrets. It serves as a consolidated record of identification (microchip number), ownership, and mandatory health requirements—specifically valid rabies vaccinations—allowing pets to cross borders without undergoing quarantine.
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.
A pet passport is a collection of official documents that confirm your pet meets the health and import requirements of the country you're traveling to. It typically includes details such as your pet's microchip number, vaccination history, parasite treatments, and veterinary health certificates.
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.
Appearance. The pet passport itself comes in multiple forms, sometimes a pink A4 sheet, sometimes a small blue booklet. It contains the microchip or tattoo number of the animal, the certification that the animal has had a rabies vaccination, and needs to be signed by an officially approved veterinarian.
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.
UK law prohibits pets travelling as cabin baggage or hold/checked baggage on flights entering the UK (they must travel as cargo/manifest). However, for departures from the UK, cabin or hold carriage is not precluded by UK law – but whether an airline will accept that is a matter of their policy.
Yes, please bring your booking confirmation number. This will help identify your booking and speed up the pet check-in process. At the UK Pet Reception from 1st January 2021 you should also bring with you your pet's Animal Health Certificate and the pet reception referral hanger you will have been issued at check-in.
These passports also include information about the owner, which could help authorities if the pet goes missing. The European Union (EU) has a pet passport scheme that makes it relatively easy for pet owners to take up to 5 dogs, cats and ferrets between its member countries, and also to Norway and Northern Ireland.
What is the difference between a pet passport and a health certificate?
Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) are required for travel with any dog, cat or ferret. An AHC is not the same as a pet passport. The main difference between the two is that AHCs are only valid for one trip to the EU, whereas pet passports could be used as long as you kept them up to date with relevant vaccinations.
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.
Do dogs really need vaccines every year in the UK?
Under normal circumstances adult dogs have a vaccination every year. Chat with your vet to discuss the most appropriate options for your dog. Once any dog has had their initial course of injections, they will only need one injection per year after that to keep that immunity 'topped up'.
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).
Anyone providing boarding for other people's dogs needs a licence, whether they are working from specially built facilities, such as a kennel, or inviting dogs to stay in their home. If you run a business caring for dogs in your home you need a 'dog home boarding' licence.
There are a few options for pet owners who want to get around the no-pet policy, including obtaining an emotional support animal letter or negotiating with the landlord. After surveying 1,000 tenants, it was found that approximately 90% of renters have pets.
Ryan Air does not permit any type of live animal to fly in the cabin of its aircraft unless it is a guide or assistance dog trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability (physical, sensory or psychiatric) and must be certified by an organization that is a full member of Assistance Dogs ...
How long can my dog sit on my lap during a flight?
Generally, pets must remain in an airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. They're required to stay inside that carrier for the entire flight, and you're not allowed to take them out and hold them on your lap.
You may book an extra seat for your pet. However, the pet must be placed in their carrier in the floor space of the extra seat. Pets are not allowed to sit on the seat. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, your pet must remain inside the carrier under the seat in front of you.
Service dogs fly free on most airlines, exempt from the pet fees other animals must pay. No carrier required – properly trained service dogs can sit at their handler's feet or on their lap (if small enough) Size restrictions don't apply – airlines must accommodate service dogs regardless of breed or size.
Most of the time, dogs travel quite well, without needing medication. Some dogs, on the other hand, experience tremendous stress when subjected to air travel. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your dog if he does not travel well.
