Great Britain residents now require an Animal Health Certificate for EU Travel

If you’re planning to travel to Europe with your pet this year, there is an important change you need to be aware of.

From 22nd April 2026, EU Pet Passports are no longer accepted as valid travel documents for pet dogs, cats and ferrets owned by residents of Great Britain. This change has been introduced by the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and applies even if your pet has a passport issued by an EU member state or Northern Ireland.

Instead, all GB residents travelling with their pets to the EU will now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip.

What does this mean for pet owners?

If you live in Great Britain and are planning to take your dog, cat or ferret to an EU country, you’ll need to arrange an Animal Health Certificate before you travel.

Many of our clients regularly travel with their pets using EU Pet Passports, so we understand this change may come as a surprise. We were not given advance notice that these regulations would be introduced and, like many veterinary practices, are awaiting further clarification on whether the UK may rejoin the EU Pet Passport scheme in the future.

For now, however, an Animal Health Certificate is required for all eligible pets travelling from Great Britain to the EU.

What is an Animal Health Certificate?

An Animal Health Certificate is an official document completed and signed by an Official Veterinarian (OV). Many of the vets at Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons are qualified Official Veterinarians and can prepare your certificate for travel.

An AHC allows:

• Up to five pets to travel on a single certificate.
• A maximum of five pets per private vehicle, in line with current regulations.
• One entry from Great Britain into the EU.

The certificate is valid for:

• 10 days from the date of issue for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland.
• 6 months for onward travel within the EU.
• 6 months for re-entry into Great Britain.

Please note that although the certificate remains valid for travel within the EU and your return journey, a new Animal Health Certificate is required every time you leave Great Britain for a new trip to the EU.

When should I arrange my appointment?

We recommend contacting one of our surgeries around one month before you intend to travel. This allows plenty of time to arrange your appointment and ensure all the necessary documentation is in place before your departure.

Our current fees are:

£258.50 for the first pet on an Animal Health Certificate.

£51.50 for each additional pet added to the same certificate.

What information will we need?

To complete your Animal Health Certificate, we’ll need:

• The first EU country you will visit after leaving Great Britain.
• Your pet’s microchip details, including confirmation that the microchip was implanted on or before the rabies vaccination date.
• Your pet’s rabies vaccination history.
• Rabies vaccination requirements

Keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date is essential for travel.

Your pet must:

• Be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated.
• Wait at least 21 days after their rabies vaccination before travelling.

At present, a rabies blood (serology) test is not required for travel under the current rules.

Don’t forget tapeworm treatment for dogs

If you’re returning to the UK with your dog, or travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, your dog must receive tapeworm treatment from a vet.

The treatment must be administered and recorded in the Animal Health Certificate:

• No less than 24 hours, and
• No more than 120 hours (1–5 days) before arriving.

Planning a trip? We’re here to help

International pet travel can feel complicated, especially when regulations change. Our team is here to guide you through the process, check your pet’s vaccination history, and ensure all paperwork is completed correctly before you travel.

If you have any upcoming travel plans or questions about the new requirements, please contact us as early as possible so we can help you prepare for a smooth journey.

Please note: Pet travel regulations are subject to change. This information is correct at the time of writing (updated April 2026). For the latest guidance, please visit GOV.UK or contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Pet Travel Scheme.