New rules for dogs and cats visiting the EU and Northern Ireland
Existing UK pet passports are no longer valid for visiting the EU
Your pet needs a new Animal Health Certificate (AHC) which is valid for a single trip only. Each visit to the EU or Northern Ireland requires a fresh Animal Health Certificate. The UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) regulations continue to change regularly, thus we recommend consulting the APHA website ahead of planning to travel for the latest advice and requirements.
The Animal Health Certificate
An AHC is valid for entry into the EU and Northern Ireland for 10 days from the date of issue.
Therefore contact us at the surgery at least two weeks prior to planned travel to arrange an appointment for us to see your pet during the 10 day window, confirm it is microchipped and inoculated against rabies and certify it is healthy and safe to travel.
Each AHC is valid for a single trip to the EU.
If for example, you return to the UK then go back to the EU or Northern Ireland the following week your pet will need a new AHC. There are no certificates for multiple visits.
The AHC is valid for re-entry to Great Britain for 4 months from the date of issue.
There are no changes to the current health preparations for pets returning to Great Britain.
Pet Passports issued by all EU countries are recognised for travel to and from the EU.
If you have an existing EU pet passport from a country still in the EU (e.g. France), you will not need an AHC to travel. The Rabies inoculation still needs to be up to date.
Pet Passports previously issued by the UK will continue to be recognised for pets entering Great Britain.
However, you cannot use a UK issued pet passport to travel to the EU. If your pet has an old UK issued EU passport it cannot be used to return to the EU. You will need a new AHC.
Your pet does not need a pet passport or an AHC if it is entering Great Britain from:
Northern Ireland
The Republic of Ireland
The Channel Islands
The Isle of Man
Your pet does need an AHC if it is travelling to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.