Can a Vet Come to My House to Issue a Pet Health Certificate for Travel?

If you are planning a trip to Europe with your dog, cat, or ferret, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). Many pet owners wonder whether a vet can visit their home to complete the paperwork, rather than dragging a stressed pet to a busy clinic. The short answer is yes. Home-visit AHC services exist across the UK, and they are designed to make the certification process more convenient, calmer for your pet, and just as legally valid as a clinic appointment. In this guide we explain exactly how home-visit animal health certificates work, what they cost, and how to book one through Vet Home Certs.

What Is an Animal Health Certificate?

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is an official veterinary document required for dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling from the UK to the EU for non-commercial reasons. It replaced the old UK pet passport system after Brexit, and it must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). According to the UK Government guidance, you must obtain a new AHC before every trip to an EU country.

The certificate confirms your pet's microchip number, rabies vaccination status, and overall fitness to travel. Once issued, you have 10 days to enter the EU, and it then covers onward travel within the EU for up to four months.

Is a Home-Visit AHC Legally Valid?

Yes. UK law requires that an Official Veterinarian physically scans your pet's microchip and witnesses the owner signing a declaration before issuing the AHC. There is no requirement for this to happen inside a veterinary clinic. As long as the OV performs the in-person checks, the certificate is equally valid whether it is completed at a surgery, a collection point, or in your living room.

An Official Veterinarian (OV) is a vet who has been authorised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to certify official documents for pet travel and trade. Vet Home Certs works with a network of qualified OVs across the UK who can visit you at home.

How a Home-Visit AHC Appointment Works

Step 1: Submit Your Request

Complete the Stage 1 booking form on the Vet Home Certs website. You will then receive a Stage 2 form by email, which gathers the detailed information needed for your certificate.

Step 2: Provide Vaccination Evidence

Contact your regular vet practice and ask them to send your pet's rabies vaccination history directly to the Vet Home Certs team. This step is completed before the home visit, so everything is prepared in advance.

Step 3: Home Visit and Certificate Issue

On the day of your appointment, the OV arrives at your home, scans your pet's microchip, witnesses the declaration signing, and hands over the completed AHC. Most appointments take around 30 minutes. You are then ready to travel within the 10-day validity window.

How Much Does a Home-Visit AHC Cost?

Pricing varies across providers, but Vet Home Certs is one of the most affordable options in the UK. Below is a summary of their current pricing:

For full pricing details, visit the Vet Home Certs pricing page. Some areas in central London carry a slightly higher standard fee of £110.

Benefits of a Home-Visit AHC Over a Clinic Visit

Less Stress for Your Pet

Transporting animals to a veterinary clinic can be stressful, especially for nervous dogs or cats. A home visit removes the car journey, the waiting room, and the unfamiliar environment. Your pet stays calm, and the appointment is quicker as a result.

Flexible Scheduling

Many OVs in the Vet Home Certs network offer evening and weekend appointments, fitting around your work schedule rather than standard clinic hours. A home visit is a veterinary appointment that takes place at the pet owner's residence rather than at a practice.

Paperwork Prepared in Advance

Because Vet Home Certs is an online-based service, all preparation and document checks happen before the visit. The OV arrives with the AHC largely complete, reducing the time spent on the day and minimising the risk of errors.

Requirements Your Pet Must Meet

Before any OV can issue an AHC, your pet must satisfy several conditions set out by UK Government pet travel rules:

• Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped before or at the same time as their rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination: A valid rabies jab must have been given at least 21 days before the AHC is issued (boosters with no break in cover do not require the 21-day wait).
• Owner present: The person who will travel with the pet must attend the appointment and sign the declaration.
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only): Required for travel to certain countries including Ireland, Finland, Malta, and Norway, administered 24 to 120 hours before arrival.

A rabies vaccination is an injection that protects mammals against the rabies virus and is a mandatory prerequisite for any AHC. We recommend reading our rabies vaccination guide for full details.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, a vet can come to your house to issue an Animal Health Certificate for pet travel to the EU.
• Home-visit AHCs are legally identical to those issued at a clinic, provided an Official Veterinarian performs the checks.
• Vet Home Certs offers home visits and collection points across the UK, with prices starting from £79.
• Your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days before the certificate is issued.
• Book your AHC appointment at least 3 weeks before travel for the best price and a smoother process.
• Each trip to the EU requires a new AHC; the certificate is valid for 10 days from issue for EU entry.
• Additional pets can be added to the same AHC for £30 each, up to a maximum of five.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get an Animal Health Certificate without visiting a vet clinic?

Yes. Services like Vet Home Certs send an Official Veterinarian directly to your home or offer convenient collection points. However, an in-person appointment is always required by law; the AHC cannot be issued entirely online.

How far in advance should I book a home-visit AHC?

We recommend submitting your request at least 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date. All details and payment must be received more than 7 days before the appointment to qualify for the standard £99 rate.

What areas does Vet Home Certs cover?

Vet Home Certs has OVs across the UK, including London, Essex, Surrey, Brighton, Sheffield, Leicester, Norfolk, Edinburgh, Cheshire, and South Devon. Check the areas covered map for the latest locations.

Do I need a pet passport to travel to the EU?

No. Since Brexit, UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for EU travel. You need an Animal Health Certificate instead. From 22 April 2026, even EU-issued pet passports are invalid if your primary residence is outside the EU.

How long is an Animal Health Certificate valid?

You must enter the EU within 10 days of the AHC being issued. Once in the EU, the certificate covers onward travel for up to 4 months or until your pet's rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.

Can someone else travel with my pet using the AHC?

Yes, but the authorised person or carrier company details must be declared in advance. The pet and owner must reunite within 5 days of arrival in the EU.

What happens if I need an AHC urgently?

Vet Home Certs offers an urgent service at £199 for requests made within 7 days of the appointment. Contact the team as soon as possible to check availability.

How many pets can go on one Animal Health Certificate?

Up to 5 pets can be listed on a single AHC, with each additional pet after the first costing £30 (or £25 for repeat customers).

Book Your Home-Visit AHC Today

Travelling with your pet should be exciting, not stressful. Skip the clinic queue and let a qualified Official Veterinarian come to you. Request your Animal Health Certificate appointment with Vet Home Certs now and get your paperwork sorted from the comfort of your sofa.