Can a Vet Come to My House to Issue a Pet Health Certificate for Travel?
If you are planning to travel from the UK 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 issue this document instead of requiring a stressful trip to the clinic. The short answer is yes. Home visit AHC services exist across the UK, and they are growing in popularity for good reason. In this guide, we explain how home visits work, what the law requires, how much they cost, and how to book one through Vet Home Certs, a specialist provider offering convenient and affordable AHCs from just £79.
What Is an Animal Health Certificate?
An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is an official veterinary document required for dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to the EU for non-commercial purposes. It replaced the UK-issued pet passport after Brexit and must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) who is authorised by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
The AHC confirms that your pet is microchipped, has a valid rabies vaccination, and is fit to travel. It must be issued within 10 days of your EU entry date and is valid for onward travel within the EU for up to four months (or six months under the updated 2026 rules), provided the rabies vaccination remains current. A new AHC is required for each trip from Great Britain to the EU.
Is a Home Visit Legally Valid for an AHC?
Yes. UK law requires that an Official Veterinarian physically scans your pet's microchip and witnesses the owner's signature on the declaration before issuing an AHC. There is no legal requirement for this to happen at a veterinary clinic. As long as the OV meets the pet and owner in person, the appointment can take place at your home, at a collection point, or at any suitable location.
An OV is a veterinary surgeon who has completed additional government-approved training and is authorised to issue official health documents. Vet Home Certs works with a network of OVs across the UK who offer both home visits and collection point appointments, typically during evenings and weekends.
How Home Visit AHC Appointments Work
Before the Visit
Most of the preparation happens online. You submit your travel details and pet information, and the provider gathers your pet's rabies vaccination history directly from your regular vet. The AHC paperwork is prepared in advance so the in-person visit is quick and efficient. Understanding rabies vaccination requirements before you start is essential.
During the Visit
The OV arrives at your home, scans your pet's microchip, confirms the vaccination records, and witnesses the owner signing the AHC declaration. Most home visits take around 15 to 30 minutes. Your completed, signed certificate is handed to you on the spot, ready for travel.
After the Visit
With the AHC in hand, you have up to 10 days to enter the EU. The certificate is then valid for onward travel within the EU. For dogs travelling to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, or Northern Ireland, a tapeworm treatment must also be administered 24 to 120 hours before arrival.
Benefits of a Home Visit Over a Clinic Appointment
A home visit AHC service removes much of the stress associated with pet travel paperwork. Your pet stays in a familiar environment, which means a calmer experience for anxious dogs and cats. You avoid the waiting room, the car journey, and the time off work.
Home visits also suit multi-pet households. Up to five pets can be listed on a single AHC, and having the vet come to you makes managing several animals far simpler than transporting them all to a clinic. Evening and weekend availability, offered by providers like Vet Home Certs, adds further flexibility for busy families.
Cost Comparison: Home Visit vs Clinic AHCs
Many pet owners assume that a home visit vet costs significantly more than a clinic-based appointment. In practice, specialist AHC providers often match or beat traditional vet prices because they focus exclusively on travel documentation and can process certificates efficiently.
| Service Type | Typical Price Range | Includes Home Visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional vet clinic | £150 - £350 | No (clinic only) |
| Specialist AHC provider (collection point) | £79 - £110 | No (you travel to them) |
| Specialist AHC provider (home visit) | £99 - £180 | Yes |
| Urgent / last-minute AHC | £199+ | Varies |
At Vet Home Certs, standard AHC pricing starts at £99 with home delivery, dropping to £79 when using a collection point discount. Repeat customers pay just £89. Additional pets cost £30 each, with a maximum of five pets per certificate.
How to Book a Home Visit AHC
Booking a home visit AHC through Vet Home Certs is straightforward. Start by completing the Stage 1 request form. You will then receive an email with a Stage 2 form that gathers the specific details needed for the certificate. Your regular vet sends the rabies vaccination history directly to Vet Home Certs, and once everything is verified and payment is received, your appointment is confirmed.
We recommend requesting your appointment at least three to four weeks before your travel date. This gives ample time for paperwork checks. If your plans are more last-minute, an urgent service is available for appointments booked within seven days.
Key Takeaways
- A vet can legally come to your house to issue an Animal Health Certificate for pet travel to the EU.
- The OV must scan your pet's microchip and witness the owner's signature in person, but this does not have to happen at a clinic.
- Home visit AHC prices start from £99 at Vet Home Certs, with collection point discounts reducing costs to as low as £79.
- From 22 April 2026, GB residents can no longer use EU pet passports and must obtain an AHC for every trip to Europe.
- An AHC must be issued within 10 days of EU entry and requires a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel.
- Booking at least three weeks in advance helps ensure a smooth, stress-free process.
- Up to five pets can be included on a single certificate, making home visits especially convenient for multi-pet households.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vet come to my house to issue a pet health certificate?
Yes. An Official Veterinarian can visit your home to scan your pet's microchip, witness the declaration signature, and issue the AHC. Vet Home Certs offers home visits across many areas of the UK, typically during evenings and weekends.
How much does a home visit AHC cost?
Home visit AHCs at Vet Home Certs cost £99 as a standard price. Collection point discounts can bring the price down to as low as £79, and repeat customers pay £89. Each additional pet is £30.
Is an Animal Health Certificate the same as a pet passport?
No. An Animal Health Certificate is a single-use travel document that replaced the GB-issued pet passport after Brexit. From 22 April 2026, even EU-issued pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents travelling to the EU.
How far in advance should I book my AHC appointment?
Vet Home Certs recommends requesting your appointment at least three weeks before travel. All details and payment must be received more than seven days before the appointment to qualify for the standard £99 price.
What does my pet need before the AHC can be issued?
Your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before the certificate is issued (unless it is a booster with no gap in cover).
How long is an Animal Health Certificate valid?
You must enter the EU within 10 days of the AHC being issued. It is then valid for onward travel within the EU for up to four to six months, depending on the current rules, or until the rabies vaccination expires.
What areas does Vet Home Certs cover?
Vet Home Certs has a growing network of OVs across the UK, covering areas from London and the South East to the Midlands, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Brighton, and beyond. Check the areas covered page for an interactive map.
Can I get an AHC without seeing a vet in person?
No. UK law requires an in-person examination where the vet scans the microchip and witnesses the owner signing the declaration. Fully online-only AHCs are not possible.
Ready to Book Your Home Visit AHC?
Skip the clinic stress and get your pet's Animal Health Certificate sorted at home. Request your AHC appointment now through Vet Home Certs and enjoy affordable, convenient pet travel documentation delivered to your door. Prices start from just £79.