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Pet Travel from Stroud & Stonehouse
Planning a trip to Europe with your dog, cat or ferret? The rules have changed as of April 2026. If you have a pet passport issued in the EU but you are a GB resident then you can no longer use these passports. What you need now is an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), which must be issued by an Official Veterinarian.
What is an Animal Health Certificate?
An Animal Health Certificate is the official travel document for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to the EU. It replaces the old EU pet passport for GB residents and must be issued for every trip. It cannot be reused.
Here is what you need to know:
- The AHC must be issued by an OV (Official Veterinarian), that is a vet who has completed additional certification from the Animal and Plant Health Agency. We hold OV status at Bowbridge Vets.
- An AHC must be issued no more than 10 days before you’re planning to travel. Timing matters, so don’t leave booking your appointment to the last minute.
- Once you have entered the EU, the certificate is valid for up to six months for onward travel within Europe, or until your pet's rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.
Animals that do not require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) to leave the UK include rabbits, rodents and reptiles. However, specific health certificates may be needed for these animals depending on the destination country. Information on this can be obtained from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
What Does Your Pet Need Before You Can Travel?
Before we can issue an AHC, your pet must meet the following criteria:
- Are they microchipped? Your pet must have a valid ISO-compliant microchip. If they are not yet chipped, we can do this at the practice.
- Have they been vaccinated against rabies? The rabies vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before travel.
- Are they at least 12 weeks old? Younger pets cannot travel to the EU.
If your pet's rabies vaccination is overdue, it is worth booking well in advance of your trip. The 21-day wait can catch people out if they leave it too late.
Why Get Your Animal Health Certificate From Bowbridge Vets?
Issuing an AHC is not simply a form-filling exercise. It is a detailed, regulated document that takes time to complete accurately and any errors can mean your pet is refused entry at the border. We take that seriously.
- We hold Official Veterinarian status. Not every vet practice can issue an AHC. Our OV-certified vets have the training and government approval to issue the certificate and complete the supporting documentation.
- Honest, straightforward advice. We will tell you exactly what your pet needs and flag anything that might cause a problem before it does. This is all to make sure you leave with everything in order.
- Independent and unhurried. As an independent vet practice, we make decisions based on what is right for your animal, not on targets or time pressure. Your appointment will not feel rushed.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call us and we’ll talk you through exactly what is included in the AHC appointment.
Why Choose Bowbridge Vets?
Bowbridge Vets has been caring for the pets of Stroud and Stonehouse since 1967. Our team of RCVS-registered vets and Registered Veterinary Nurses brings decades of combined clinical experience to every appointment, from routine preventative care to complex primary care cases.
Most of our team have been with us for many decades, which means your pet is seen by people who know them, and who they know.
As an independent practice, we are not part of a corporate group. Every clinical decision is made by the vet in front of you, based entirely on what is right for your pet.
Our clients trust us with their pets year after year. That trust, built over more than half a century in this community, is something we work hard to preserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my EU pet passport if I live in the UK?
No. EU pet passports are now reserved for people whose main home is in the EU. Using an old GB-issued passport risks your pet being refused entry at the border. The document you need for every trip from Great Britain to an EU country is an Animal Health Certificate, issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
How far in advance should I book my AHC appointment?
The Animal Health Certificate must be issued no more than ten days before you enter the EU. We recommend booking as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before you travel.
Do I need an AHC for every trip, even if I travel to the same place each year?
Yes. The AHC is a single-use document, valid for one trip from Great Britain into the EU. You will need a new certificate each time you travel, regardless of how frequently you visit or whether your destination is always the same. Once you are in the EU, however, the certificate covers you for up to six months of travel within Europe.
Can any vet issue an Animal Health Certificate?
No. An AHC can only be issued by a vet who holds Official Veterinarian status, which is a specific government-approved certification from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Not all practices have an OV on their team, so it is important to confirm this before booking. Most of our vets hold OV status, which means we are authorised to issue Animal Health Certificates and complete the associated export documentation for EU travel.
What is an Official Veterinarian (OV)?
An Official Veterinarian is a vet who has completed additional training and been approved by the UK government, specifically by APHA (the Animal and Plant Health Agency), to carry out official veterinary work on behalf of the government. This includes issuing Animal Health Certificates, completing export health documentation and administering and recording tapeworm treatments for dogs returning to the UK from certain countries.
As an independent vet, we hold OV status across most of our team at Bowbridge, which allows us to provide this service to our clients directly. You do not need to travel to a specialist clinic.
How long does an Animal Health Certificate last?
For outward travel to the EU, it is valid for 10 days from the date it is issued. Once you have entered the EU, the same certificate then covers your pet for onward travel within Europe for up to six months, or until your pet's rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first. The same six-month period also applies for re-entry into Great Britain.
What if I'm travelling further afield?
If you're planning to take your pet somewhere outside the EU, the process is significantly more involved and takes much longer. Please speak to us as early as possible, ideally more than a year before your intended travel date.
What is an Export Health Certificate (EHC)?
An Export Health Certificate is the non-EU equivalent of an Animal Health Certificate. If you are travelling to a country outside the European Union, an EHC is what you need. Like the AHC, it must be completed by an Official Veterinarian and endorsed by the government before travel.
If you have questions about non-EU travel, please call us and ask!