8 June 2026
EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents — what changed in April 2026
If you've travelled to Europe with your pet before, you may have used an EU pet passport issued by a vet in France, Spain, Ireland or another EU country. Many GB pet owners relied on these to avoid getting a new certificate for every trip. That route has now closed.
What changed on 22 April 2026
From 22 April 2026, EU pet passports issued to people whose main home is in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel into the EU. The change comes from the EU Animal Health Law (Regulation EU 2016/429), whose ten-year transition period ended in April 2026. EU pet passports may now only be issued to — and used by — people whose main residence is in the EU.
What GB pet owners need instead
Every trip from Great Britain to the EU (or Northern Ireland) with a dog, cat or ferret now requires an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an APHA-authorised Official Veterinarian within 10 days of your arrival in the EU.
Once issued, the AHC is valid for:
- 10 days for entry into the EU,
- 6 months for onward travel between EU countries, and
- 6 months for re-entry to Great Britain.
Your pet still needs a microchip and an in-date rabies vaccination given after the microchip was fitted, with the first dose at least 21 days before travel.
Will pet passports ever come back?
Possibly. The UK and EU agreed in 2025 to work towards a new agri-food (SPS) agreement that could eventually allow UK-issued pet passports. However, the deal is not expected to be in force before 2027 at the earliest, and pets would still need to meet the same health requirements. Until then, an AHC is the only route for GB residents.
What to do for your next trip
- Check your pet's rabies vaccination is in date (and was given after their microchip).
- Book an AHC appointment within 10 days of your departure date.
- Bring your pet's vaccination record and your travel dates to the appointment.
Book your AHC appointment — evening and weekend slots available.