Work backwards from the date you want your pet to arrive in Great Britain. The document, veterinary appointments and transport need to fit the same itinerary, especially if you are moving house or making a flight connection.
Establish the type of journey
Tell your vet where the trip starts and whether ownership is changing. Journeys involving rehoming, an animal arriving more than five days before or after its owner, or more than five pets can require extra checks and rules. Consult the official entry guidance for the conditions and exceptions.
Paying for transport does not, by itself, answer which animal-movement rules apply.
Prepare the document
Use the official document selector for your departure country. An eligible pet passport, a returning AHC and a Great Britain pet health certificate are different documents with different conditions.
Before agreeing a date
Ask your vet to check the existing identification and vaccination records. Explain the entire itinerary if your pet entered Europe from another country.
Before collection
Take the originals and check that any time-sensitive treatment still fits the intended arrival. If the route or date changes, revisit the veterinary plan.
Choose the transport around the move
List the people, pets, carriers and luggage that will travel. A house move may involve more bags than a holiday, so explain this early. Give the final UK address and mention access restrictions or a handover time.
For a route starting in Paris, see our Paris to London service. For Amsterdam or Schiphol, see the Amsterdam to UK service. Other routes can be discussed using both full addresses.
Relocation questions
Does every pet need a new AHC?
No. Use the document guidance for the actual journey and the valid records already held.
Can the pet arrive separately from me?
Check the owner-travel timing rules and any authorisation or additional requirements. Confirm whether the transporter can accommodate your arrangement before booking.
What if the moving date changes?
Check the booking, veterinary appointments and document validity together. A changed arrival can affect more than the transport.
Discuss the road journey
Send your European collection address, UK destination, preferred date and passenger and pet details. Include any fixed handover or flight connection.