EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) Explained (2026): What It Is, When You Need It, and How to Get It Right

If you’ve started researching international pet travel, you’ve probably already run into the term EU Animal Health Certificate ,often shortened to AHC, and if you’re feeling confused, you’re not alone.

I live in Europe, I move pets internationally every week through Paws Abroad, and I can tell you honestly: the AHC is one of the most misunderstood parts of pet travel. Not because it’s impossible but because the rules are precise, the timing is unforgiving, and one small mistake can derail an entire trip.

This guide explains the EU Animal Health Certificate in plain English. What it is, when you actually need it, who issues it, and where people get tripped up especially when traveling or relocating with dogs or cats.

If you’re specifically traveling to Portugal , we break down the full country-specific rules here.

For a general overview of all international pet travel check out our International Pet Travel Hub.

What Is the EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?

The EU Animal Health Certificate is the official document required for non-commercial pet travel into the European Union.

It applies to:

Dogs
Cats
Ferrets

when they are entering the EU from a non-EU country like the United States, Canada, or the UK.

Legally, the AHC exists under EU Regulation 576/2013, which governs how pets move internationally when the trip is not for sale, adoption, or transfer of ownership.

In simple terms, the AHC is how the EU confirms:

Your pet’s identity
Your pet’s rabies compliance
That the animal is healthy and fit to travel
That the move is personal, not commercial

It’s not a “vet note.” It’s a government-regulated export document that border officials, airlines, and veterinary authorities rely on.

What the EU Animal Health Certificate Actually Confirms

A valid AHC confirms all of the following:

Your pet has an ISO-compliant microchip
Rabies vaccination was given after microchipping
The rabies vaccine is valid and properly recorded
Any required waiting periods have passed
A licensed veterinarian has examined your pet and found no signs of disease
Any destination-specific treatments (like tapeworm for dogs) are documented
You, the owner, have signed a declaration confirming the move is non-commercial

This is why accuracy matters so much. Border officials don’t interpret they verify.

What the AHC Does NOT Replace

This part causes a lot of confusion.

The EU Animal Health Certificate does not replace:

Airline approval (airlines have completely separate pet policies)
Pet reservations on flights
Breed or weight restrictions
Temperature embargo rules
Your own immigration or visa status
An EU Pet Passport
USDA or CFIA export endorsement (those are separate steps)

This is why people sometimes say “but my paperwork was correct” and still get denied boarding.

Paperwork compliance and airline acceptance are two different systems.

When Do You Need an EU Animal Health Certificate?

You need an EU Animal Health Certificate if your dog or cat is:

Entering the EU from the United States
Entering from Canada
Entering from the UK (post-Brexit)
Transiting through an EU country on the way to another destination
Traveling for a short trip or relocating long-term

There is no separate “relocation certificate.” From the EU’s perspective, travel and relocation use the same document as long as the movement is non-commercial.

UK to EU Travel After Brexit

This is one of the biggest shifts in pet travel.

If you are traveling from Great Britain to the EU, UK pet passports no longer work. You now need a new AHC for every single trip.

That means:

New vet appointment
New certificate
Every time you travel

This is why planning and timing matter so much for UK pet parents.

Each Trip Requires a New AHC

Unlike an EU Pet Passport, the AHC is single-use.

You must obtain a new certificate for every entry into the EU from a non-EU country. Even if nothing about your pet has changed.

This is one of the biggest cost and planning considerations for frequent travelers.

When You Do NOT Need an AHC

You do not need an AHC if:

Your pet already has a valid EU Pet Passport
You are traveling within the EU only
You are re-entering within the AHC’s 4-month validity window
Your pet holds a valid EU passport issued in certain listed microstates (like Switzerland or Norway)

Once you live in the EU, transitioning to an EU Pet Passport is usually the smartest long-term move.

Who Issues the AHC (and Why This Matters)

United States

In the US, the AHC requires two steps:

A USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the EU health certificate
USDA APHIS officially endorses it (digitally or physically)

Not all vets are USDA-accredited. And not all accredited vets understand EU rules.

This is where many mistakes happen especially around rabies timing, certificate templates, and date formats.

We walk through the USDA APHIS process step by step here.

If you’re moving from the U.S. to Portugal with your dog, the AHC is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

United Kingdom

In the UK, the certificate must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) not a standard vet.

OVs have additional certification specifically for pet travel documents. Many clinics do not have one on staff, so booking early matters.

Canada

In Canada:

A licensed vet completes the certificate
CFIA must endorse it
No changes are allowed after endorsement

The validity clock starts earlier in Canada than most people expect, which can catch travelers off guard.

AHC Validity Rules (This Is Where Timing Matters)

The 10-Day Rule

Your pet must enter the EU within 10 days of the AHC being issued.

Not depart.
Not check in.
Enter.

Miss that window, and the certificate is invalid.

The 4-Month Rule

Once your pet enters the EU, the AHC remains valid for:

Up to 4 months of travel within the EU
Or until the rabies vaccine expires (whichever comes first)

This is why people relocating often transition to an EU Pet Passport after arrival.

What Invalidates an AHC

An AHC becomes invalid if:

The entry window expires
The rabies vaccine expires
Any detail is altered after endorsement
The wrong template was used
Dates are unclear or incorrectly formatted

Border officials will not “fix” mistakes.

Dogs vs Cats: What’s Different?

From a regulatory standpoint, dogs and cats are almost identical.

The only major legal difference is tapeworm treatment, which applies to dogs only and only for certain destinations.

Cats never require tapeworm treatment.

From an airline perspective, dogs often face more restrictions due to size, breed, and heat embargoes.

AHC vs Airline Rules (The Most Common Disconnect)

This is where people get burned.

You can have:

A perfect AHC
Correct vaccinations
Correct timing

…and still be denied boarding.

Why?
Because airlines control:

Aircraft pet capacity
Carrier dimensions
Breed restrictions
Seasonal embargoes
Route-specific policies

This is why at Paws Abroad, we don’t just check paperwork we plan the entire journey.

The Most Common AHC Mistakes We See

Rabies given before microchip
Certificate issued too early
Wrong certificate version
Missing owner declaration
Incorrect date format
No government endorsement
Transit country overlooked
Airline pet reservation never confirmed

These aren’t theoretical. These are the real reasons pets get stuck.

Non-Commercial vs Commercial Movement (Critical Distinction)

Your pet travel is non-commercial only if:

There are 5 pets or fewer
No ownership transfer occurs
The pet travels with you (or within 5 days)
The purpose is personal

If any of that changes, the rules change dramatically.

This is especially important for breeders, rescues, and pets flying separately.

AHC and Relocation: What Happens After Arrival

Once you arrive in the EU:

The AHC works for short-term travel
Long-term residents should obtain an EU Pet Passport
Future travel becomes significantly easier

As of 2026, EU authorities are signaling stricter enforcement around who can obtain EU passports, another reason to plan properly.

Why Pet Parents Use Paws Abroad for AHC Travel

This is where I’ll be very clear.

Most people don’t fail at pet travel because they didn’t care.
They fail because the system is fragmented.

At Paws Abroad, we:

Coordinate with USDA-accredited vets in the US
Ensure the correct AHC template is used
Manage timing so certificates don’t expire mid-journey
Help select airlines, routes, and crates
Flag breed, aircraft, and seasonal risks
Provide on-the-ground arrival support in Europe
Support dogs and cats
Assist with complex cases, relocations, and private aviation when needed

If you want to do it yourself, our membership gives you the tools and guidance.

If you want someone watching every detail, our concierge service exists so nothing gets missed.

Planning EU Pet Travel in 2026: Important EU Pet Travel Changes You Should Know About

If you’re planning pet travel to Europe in 2026, you may have seen mentions of “new EU regulations” floating around and if that made you nervous, you’re not alone.

Here’s the clear, practical version.

The EU is updating its animal health framework under a new regulation (EU Regulation 2016/429, often referred to as the Animal Health Law), with changes taking effect in April 2026. These updates are mostly about standardising enforcement and tightening timelines, not completely rewriting the rules for pet parents.

For most people traveling or moving with a dog or cat, the EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC is still required and still the correct document when entering the EU from a non-EU country.

What is changing is the level of precision required and that’s where people tend to get caught out.

What’s changing

Stricter timing enforcement
The EU has signaled tighter enforcement around certificate validity windows, rabies timing, and treatments. Sloppy margins that may have “passed before” are less likely to slide in 2026.
Tapeworm treatment timing for dogs (specific destinations)
For dogs traveling to countries like Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland, the tapeworm treatment window is expected to narrow in 2026. This doesn’t affect all EU destinations, but for the ones it does apply to, timing will matter more than ever.
EU Pet Passport access may tighten
There are strong indications that EU Pet Passports will increasingly be limited to EU residents, reinforcing the AHC as the standard entry document for non-EU travelers.
More consistency across borders
The goal of the new framework is fewer “interpretation differences” between countries which sounds good, but in practice means fewer exceptions and less flexibility if something is off.

What is not changing

You still need:
- An ISO microchip
- A valid rabies vaccine (with correct timing)
- An EU Animal Health Certificate issued by the right authority
- Airline approval (separate from government rules)
There is no new quarantine requirement for compliant pets
Dogs and cats are still treated similarly under EU entry rules (with a few dog-specific exceptions)

What this means for you as a pet parent

If you’re planning ahead and following the rules properly, you don’t need to panic but you do need to be precise.

Most of the issues we see aren’t because the rules are impossible. They happen because:

certificates are issued too early or too late
rabies timelines are misunderstood
airline rules are assumed to match government rules
or people rely on outdated advice

As enforcement tightens, those small mistakes matter more.

This is exactly why we built Paws Abroad the way we did not just to tell you the rules, but to help you apply them correctly for your specific route, airline, pet, and timeline, and to stay on top of changes as they roll out.

If you’re traveling or relocating with a dog or cat, especially across the Atlantic, clarity and timing matter more than ever.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you email us at info@pawsabroad.co and our team will be happy to help.

You don’t need to guess.
You just need the right plan.

Other Resources:

Dogs In Italy Guide

Dogs In Spain Guide

2026 Airline Pet Policies Guide

Can I Bring My Dog To Europe

FAQs: EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

What is an EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?

An EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is an official EU pet travel document used to bring a dog, cat, or ferret into the European Union from a non-EU country for non-commercial travel. It confirms the pet is microchipped, has a valid rabies vaccination, and meets EU entry rules.

Is an EU Animal Health Certificate the same as an EU pet passport?

No. An EU Animal Health Certificate is typically used to enter the EU from outside the EU. An EU Pet Passport is generally used for travel within the EU (and for repeat trips once you’re established). Most travelers arriving from non-EU countries need an AHC for entry.

When do I need an EU Animal Health Certificate for pet travel?

You need an EU Animal Health Certificate when your dog, cat, or ferret is traveling from a non-EU country into an EU member state and the trip is considered non-commercial (not for sale or transfer of ownership). UK travelers also typically need an AHC for each trip to the EU post-Brexit.

Who issues the EU Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?

Who issues the AHC depends on the departure country. In the United States, a USDA-accredited veterinarian completes the EU health certificate and USDA APHIS endorses it. In the UK, an Official Veterinarian (OV) issues it. In Canada, a licensed veterinarian completes it and CFIA endorses it.

How long is an EU Animal Health Certificate valid?

In most cases, the EU Animal Health Certificate is valid for entry into the EU for 10 days from the date it is issued (or endorsed, depending on the country). After entry, it may remain valid for onward travel within the EU for up to 4 months, or until the rabies vaccination expires—whichever comes first.

Do dogs and cats have the same EU health certificate requirements?

Mostly yes. Dogs, cats, and ferrets generally follow the same EU animal health rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, and the correct EU pet travel document (AHC). A key exception is tapeworm treatment, which applies to dogs only for certain destinations.

Do I need a rabies titer test for an EU Animal Health Certificate?

It depends on which country you’re traveling from. Some countries are “listed” by the EU and do not require a rabies titer test. Other countries are “unlisted” and do require a rabies antibody titration test, plus additional waiting periods. Your departure country’s EU listing status determines this.

Can an airline deny my pet even if I have an EU Animal Health Certificate?

Yes. The EU Animal Health Certificate covers government entry rules, but airlines have separate policies. Pets can still be denied boarding due to airline capacity limits, carrier size rules, breed restrictions, temperature embargoes, or if the pet was not properly added to the booking.

What’s the difference between an EU health certificate for dogs and an airline health certificate?

An EU health certificate for dogs (the AHC) is a government-required document for EU entry. Some airlines also request additional paperwork or have their own check-in requirements. Airline requirements do not replace the EU AHC, and the EU AHC does not override airline policies.

What are the most common mistakes with an EU Animal Health Certificate?

Common AHC mistakes include getting the rabies vaccine before the microchip, using the wrong certificate template, missing the owner declaration, incorrect date formats, issuing the certificate too early for the 10-day entry window, or forgetting government endorsement steps (like APHIS or CFIA).

Do I need an EU Animal Health Certificate if I’m traveling within Europe?

If your pet already has a valid EU Pet Passport, you typically do not need an AHC for travel between EU countries. The AHC is mainly for entry into the EU from non-EU countries.

What if I’m moving to Europe with my pet—do I still use an AHC?

Yes. If your move qualifies as non-commercial (you’re traveling with your pet and it’s not being sold or transferred), you still use an EU Animal Health Certificate to enter. After you arrive and get established, you can usually transition to an EU Pet Passport for easier onward travel.