Your AHC appointment checklist: exactly what to bring

An Animal Health Certificate appointment is straightforward when the paperwork is right — and frustrating when it isn't. An Official Veterinarian can only issue the certificate if every detail can be verified, so use this checklist before you set off.

1. Your pet

It sounds obvious, but the vet must scan your pet's microchip in person — the certificate cannot be issued without your pet present.

2. Vaccination record

Bring the full vaccination record (usually the booklet from your regular vet). For the rabies vaccination we need to see:

the vaccine name, manufacturer and batch number,
the date it was given, and the date the booster is due,
confirmation it was given after the microchip was implanted.

Common problem: if your pet was vaccinated before being microchipped, the vaccination doesn't count for travel and must be redone. Check this well before your trip — the first vaccination after the chip needs at least 21 days before travel.

3. Microchip details

The microchip number and, if you have it, the implant date or registration paperwork. If the chip was implanted by another practice, the record showing the date helps us verify the vaccination sequence.

4. Your travel dates and route

The AHC must be issued within 10 days of your arrival in the EU, and the certificate records your EU country of entry. Know your outbound date and first EU country before the appointment.

5. Owner details

The certificate is issued to the owner (or an authorised person travelling within 5 days of the owner). Bring your full name and address details as they should appear on the document.

Travelling with a dog?

If you're heading to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland, your dog needs a tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before arrival. Returning to Great Britain also requires a tapeworm treatment 1–5 days before re-entry — a vet in the EU records this in your AHC, so keep the certificate safe throughout your trip.

Ready to go? Book your appointment and your certificate is issued on the spot, usually within 30–45 minutes.