Travelling abroad with your pet
We are currently offering all Animal Health Certificates for EU travel at the discounted rate of £150 over the summer to help with the sudden EU passport rule change.
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‘See Travel to the EU’ requirements below for more information before booking.
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Taking your cat or dog on holiday means you don’t have to be parted with your much-loved pet while you’re away, and it can avoid the worry of deciding who is going to care for them during your break. Travelling with your pet can be complicated but we are here to help if you have any questions. We have two full time Official Veterinarian (OVs) working at Meridian Veterinary Clinic who can help with EU and non-EU travel.
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OV66 ID checks for Australia:
Dr Si Keirle has OV66 accreditation and can provide ID checks for cats and dogs travelling to Australia. Cats and dogs must have two separate ID checks conducted by different OVs who do not work at the same practice. We are happy to see animals registered at different practices specifically for this service.
EU Travel
Since Brexit there have been significant changes regarding pet travel to the EU, as well as Northern Ireland.
The main change is that animals are no longer able to travel to the EU with UK pet passports. Instead they require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an OV. AHCs can only be used for a single journey.
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As of April 2026, EU passports are no longer accepted for travel between the UK and the EU unless your main residence is in the EU. All animals living in the UK with EU passports will need an AHC to travel. This is a major change and will affect many people. Please make sure you are aware of your travel requirements before travelling.
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Due to this unexpected change, we are offering AHCs for a discounted rate of £150 for the rest of the summer to help out with taking your pet abroad. Please see ‘Travel to the EU’ requirements below before booking.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you have all the correct paperwork in place for your pet by the time you’re due to travel. It can be a very complicated process, but the staff at Meridian Veterinary Practice will be able to help. The government also offers guidance and has phone and email helplines that you can contact.
Travel to Northern Ireland:
Since June 2025, owners can apply for a Pet Travel Document (PTD) directly from the Government website at: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-northern-ireland-pet-travel-document. It is free to apply and, once issued by the government, it lasts for your pets’ entire life. Your pet no longer needs a rabies vaccination or tapeworm treatment to enter Northern Ireland or travel back to the UK, but your pet must be microchipped. Each animal needs their own PTD.
Pets are not permitted to enter The Republic of Ireland on a PTD and if there is any onward travel to the EU from Northern Ireland, you must have a valid AHC.
Travel to the EU:
When travelling to any EU country, your pet needs:
- An AHC
- A microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination which was done at least 21 days before the AHC is issued.
- The AHC must be issued within 10 days of you leaving the UK
- An AHC is valid for one trip out of the UK and can be used for the return journey within 4 months of issue.
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs if you’re travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Norway or Malta
If you are returning to the UK, you must see a vet in the country you are visiting to have a tapeworm treatment administered 24 – 120 hours (1-5 days) before returning to the UK. This does not apply if you are returning directly from Finland, Ireland, Norway or Malta, without passing through any other EU countries.
These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.
Please give us plenty of notice to ensure that we can fit you in, as if we do not have available appointments, you will not be able to travel without it. Please note that whoever is travelling with your pet must attend the appointment in person. The AHC is ready to collect the following working day. Contact us if you have any questions.
Travel outside of the EU:
Every country in the world has their own specific regulations regarding the import of pets, and many require a set of comprehensive tests and export health certificates (EHCs). It is the owner’s responsibility to meet these import requirements so we strongly advise using a travel company for all non-EU travel. You can request an EHC through the government website: https://www.gov.uk/export-health-certificates
The first step is to book an appointment with an OV at Meridian Vets to discuss your planned travel and required vaccinations and blood tests for your destination country.
