PET TRAVEL TO AND FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION POST-BREXIT
For the latest information please visit the government website by clicking here.
As of 1 January 2021, EU pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU and Northern Ireland. Instead, your pets will need an Animal Health Certificate each time they enter the EU or Northern Ireland.
What is an Animal Health Certificate?
An Animal Health Certificate is valid for:
A single trip to the EU or Northern Ireland
10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
Onward travel within the EU or Northern Ireland for 4 months or until the rabies vaccination is no longer valid, whichever is sooner
Re-entry into Great Britain within 4 months of issue or until the rabies vaccination is no longer valid, whichever is sooner
Non-commercial movement to the EU or Northern Ireland only. You will be required to sign a written declaration to confirm this
For pets travelling with their owner or an authorised person. You will need to make a declaration in writing to allow your pet to travel with someone else. If someone else travels your pet, your pet must be reunited with you within five days.
Travel from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland
When travelling from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland your will need to:
Ensure that your pet is microchipped.
Ensure that your pet is vaccinated against rabies. Please also note that:
Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated against rabies
If your pet’s rabies vaccination is out of date and needs to be restarted, or this is your pet’s first rabies vaccination, then they cannot travel for 21 days (with the day of vaccination as day 0)
If your pet has already been vaccinated against rabies and it is still valid, a further vaccination will not be required but you must have proof of this vaccination which includes identification of your pet. For example, a clinical history showing the microchip was placed, or the microchip number read and documented, before the rabies vaccination was given. Otherwise a primary rabies vaccination and a 21 day wait before travel may be required
As long as your pet’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date they will not need a repeat rabies vaccination for every trip
There is no requirement for a rabies antibody titre test if your pet is remaining in the EU for the duration of their stay
Visit an official veterinarian to obtain an Animal Health Certificate no more than 10 days before travel
Ensure that dogs have had a tapeworm treatment administered and documented by a vet 24-120 hours before entry if travelling to Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or Malta.
Enter the EU or Northern Ireland through a designated travellers’ point of entry (click here for further details). Your documentation may be checked at the border so ensure you take your pet’s Animal Health Certificate and any supporting documents with you.
Travel to Great Britain from the EU
One of the following documents will be required when entering Great Britain from the EU
The Animal Health Certificate issued in Great Britain prior to your departure provided you are returning within 4 months of the date of issue and the rabies vaccination remains valid
A GB pet health certificate (please note this is not valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU)
An EU pet passport (issued in the EU, or in Great Britain before 1 January 2021)
A pet passport from a Part 1 listed third country
In addition, a veterinarian administered and documented tapeworm treatment will be required for dogs 24-120 hours before entering Great Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring with me to my Animal Health Certificate appointment?
Proof of rabies vaccination, including date, brand and identification of your pet. For example a vaccination card, a pet passport, or history from a previous vet
Your planned travel dates
What paperwork will we require when relocating from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland?
You will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate for your pet to enter the EU or Northern Ireland. Once your pet is resident in the EU, they may be eligible for an EU issued pet passport.
What do we need for our pet to travel between our two homes in Great Britain and the EU?
You will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate for your pet to enter the EU from Great Britain. Your pet may then be eligible for an EU issued pet passport. Provided your pet’s rabies vaccination doesn’t expire you will be able to use the EU issued pet passports for journeys to and from Great Britain. A tapeworm treatment must be given and documented by a vet 24-120 hours before entering Great Britain.
I am planning on taking my pet on multiple trips to the EU within a short space of time, will I need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate each time?
Yes, your pet will need a new Animal Health Certificate for each trip to the EU or Northern Ireland.
I am repatriating to Great Britain with my pets who have valid UK pet passports issued before 31 December 2020. Can they enter Great Britain using these passports?
Your pets will be able to use UK pet passports issued before 31 December 2020 to re-enter Great Britain but once your pets are in the UK, those passports will no longer be valid for future travel to the EU or Northern Ireland.
I am travelling to the EU with multiple pets. Do they each require an Animal Health Certificate and is there a limit on the number of pets that can travel?
Each of your pets will require their own Animal Health Certificate. Only five pets can travel at any one time with their owner/authorised person. This is subject to exemptions for example where travelling for shows or competitions. Further information is available on the government website.
