Dogs have been man’s best friend for many generations, and travelling with one when going on holiday is now the dream of most pet owners. Yet overseas flights with your best friend turned out to lead to a major logistical nightmare for those who did not take care. This is particularly true for those who would like to bring their canine chums with them to the UK. But in the world of pet travel, transportation equals one key provision: the dog passport. With this little piece of paperwork, you can rest assured that your fuzzy comrade can accompany you all around the UK with ease.
This blog covers how to get a dog passport in the UK, the cost of a dog passport and how a dog passport helps your dog travel safely to Europe.
What Is a Dog Passport and Why Is It Needed?
A dog passport is an official document that indicates that your dog is fit for travel and meets the pet moving regulations of your destination country. This is an important document for travel abroad (in particular Europe) from the UK.
Post Brexit, the game has changed. This has been replaced with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for EU and Northern Ireland travel for pet owners from the UK. The AHC is now the equivalent of a passport for a dog UK. It guarantees that your pet is good to go for international health requirements, which means less anxiety for the pet and the owner.
Do Dogs Need Passports to Travel?
People often ask do dogs need passports to travel. The answer is yes, they do need one when flying or going abroad. If you do not have all the necessary documentation submitted and passed, your dog will be prohibited from crossing the border in the first place or will be marked for quarantine.
A dog passport, a UK equivalent now superseded by the AHC, shows proof of your dog’s vaccinations, especially against rabies, and that they comply with public health regulations for the country you are visiting.
Step-by-Step Guide To Getting a Dog Passport in the UK
Understanding how to get a pet passport for a dog in the UK is important. The following are the steps you need to follow to travel legally with your pet:
1. Microchipping
All vaccinations must be done after microchipping, with an ISO-compliant chip. In the UK, it is a requirement, and you have to be registered with your updated contact details from birth.
2. Rabies Vaccination
Your dog needs to be vaccinated for rabies after getting microchipped. This vaccine has to be given by a licensed vet, and it also necessitates a 21-day delay after the injection before travel. There is a period that must pass, so the vaccine works, and this is a must for travelling legally.
3. Treatment Of Tapeworms (If Needed)
If you travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland, you must treat your dog for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) between 24–120 hours before arrival. This must be treated by a vet and recorded.
4. Get a Veterinary Health Certificate
As UK dog passport has been replaced by an AHC, so you should get an AHC (Animal Health Certificate) that you need for every single trip to the EU or Northern Ireland. An AHC must be given by an official veterinarian (OV) with a maximum of 10 days before travel.
The AHC includes:
- Microchip number
- Rabies vaccination details
- Treatment for a tapeworm (if you have one)
- Vet contact details
The AHC is valid as soon as it is issued
- 10 days for entry into the EU
- 4 months in regards to onward travel within the EU
- UK re-entry — 4 months
- Age Requirement for Travel
The rabies shot has to be done from 12 weeks of age, followed by a 21-day waiting period, so the minimum age for travel is generally about 15 weeks.
By following the above steps, not only is your pet meeting all the necessary legal requirements for travel, but you will also have a clear understanding of how to get a dog passport in the UK.
Cost of Getting a Dog Passport in the UK
How much is a dog passport or the equivalent AHC process today? In the UK, the costs to prepare your dog for international travel usually cost between £150 and £250. This includes:
- Microchip: £10 - £30 If not already done
- Rabies Vaccination: £30–£60
- Tapeworm Treatment (If Needed)- £20-50
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC): £90–£110
Those are average estimates, but the cost of a dog passport will vary depending on the charges that your vet makes. Many clinics will also offer package deals for your travel documentation, so it is best to ask for a bundled quote.
Dog Passport UK to Europe
Are you from the UK and travelling to Europe with your Dog? Here’s what to remember about using a dog passport UK to Europe:
- You have to enter through a designated Point of Entry.
- Upon arrival, show the AHC to the border authorities.
- Keep rabies and other health treatments updated.
- Double-check these, especially if your pet entered a non-EU country with you for the return to the UK.
Individual countries will also have their import requirements, so be sure to check the rules for your destination country on the GOV.UK or by using a pet travel professional.
Can You Still Use an Old UK Pet Passport?
Post-Brexit, UK dog passports issued before 1 January 2021 are no longer valid for EU travel. These have been replaced by the AHC.
However, EU pet passports are valid in the EU. Dogs that have a valid EU pet passport (obtained in the EU) can travel without the need for an AHC.
Final Tips for Travelling with Your Dog
While travelling with your dog can be a wonderful opportunity but it also requires planning to ensure your dog remains safe, healthy, and comfortable. After obtaining the necessary paperwork and vaccinations, the price and practicality of travelling personally for you and your pet must work out well. A few last-minute preparation tips for you.
Before your journey:
- Plan your vet visits significantly in advance (especially for AHC)
- Confirm the entry regulations of your destination.
- Make sure it is well-travelled and, if need be, crate trained.
- Prepare things like food, water, toys that they like, and a health card.
Ensure Safe and Stress-free Travel With Your Dog
Want to travel with your dog and don’t know how to do the transport or the paperwork? Allow Pet Taxi UK to make your journey hassle-free. We provide professional pet travel services to ensure you take care of all the legal and health requirements, from preparing a pet passport for your dog to providing airport transfers. If it’s just over the border or halfway around the world, we provide a safe, stress-free and prompt service for your fur baby. Call Pet Taxi UK today and travel with your pets and a free mind.
FAQs
Q- What is the cost of a dog passport in the UK?
Ans- A Dog passport cost range from £150 to £250, including the microchipping cost, the vaccination fee, and the Animal Health Certificate fee.
Q- How To Get One Pet Passport for Dogs UK?
Ans- For a dog passport UK, your pet should have a microchip, completed rabies vaccination, and an Animal Health Certificate from an accredited vet.
Q- Do dogs require passports to travel to Europe from the UK?
Ans- Yes, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate instead of the previous UK dog passport for any dog passport UK to Europe travel.
