Pet owners hoping to travel to the EU with their animals are being hit with steep costs after Brussels announced changes to the rules for travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets. Under the changes, EU pet passports will no longer be accepted and will only be issued to people whose main residence is in an EU country.
Important update – new rules from 22 April 2026
As of 22nd April, UK pet owners can no longer travel from the UK to the EU using the EU pet passport scheme. Now, pet owners must obtain a “single-use” Animal Health Certificate for every trip.
Under these new rules:
EU pet passports issued to, or held by, owners who are resident in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel from GB to the EU.
EU pet passports can no longer be used by someone travelling to a second home in the EU or on a regular holiday.
All GB residents travelling with a dog, cat, or ferret must now obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) before travel.
An AHC can only be issued if the pet has a recent rabies vaccination.
A new AHC needs to be obtained for each and every trip to the EU.
What's changed
Since Brexit, an Animal Health Certificate has been required to enter the EU with a pet but many owners who regularly travel to the continent have used the “loophole” of the EU pet passport. This was obtained by paying a vet in the EU and ensuring the animal was microchipped and recently vaccinated against rabies. It remained valid for the entirety of the animal’s life. However, existing EU pet passports are now no longer valid for travel.
In guidance put on its website, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "GB residents should no longer use EU pet passports to travel into the EU. "EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally."
What you should do now
Now, pet owners must obtain a “single-use” Animal Health Certificate, which involves visiting a vet within ten days of every trip and a fee of about £100 to £300 depending on the vet, plus the cost of any vaccinations. However, a certificate can only be issued if the pet has a recent rabies vaccination. There must be a gap of at least 21 days, and potentially longer depending on which rabies vaccination was given, between immunisation and the issuance of an Animal Health Certificate.
Assistance dogs are included in the new rules.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) said anyone planning to travel to the EU with their pet should check guidance at https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad, and the entry rules for their destination.
EU pet passports can still be used by anyone whose primary address is in the EU.
I've also read this morning that the 4 month time limit on AHCs is to be extended to 6 months, but, again, I haven't seen official evidence so it will need checking. I suspect that it won't be relevant to most, due to the 90 day rule.
Yes, we became aware of this on Friday when APHA sent a notice to vets, and the new regulations come into place on Wednesday this week. Our ferry is on Thursday, so we had to organise an AHC first thing yesterday - fortunately our vet was aware and was able to accommodate us. It's the EU closing a loophole (you can now only use an EU passport if your main residence is in the EU) but the 5 days notice was not helpful! Neither was the fact that the Gov.uk website was not updated till yesterday.
For anyone needing an AHC and finding their local vet's charges very expensive, there's a useful FB site called AHC - Animal Health Certificate UK, run by a very knowledgeable lady called Kathy Thomas. That has access to a map of vets who specialise in AHCs and whose charges are usually around the £100 mark. We have used a vet from that map and everything has been done on line, except the quick check of the dog when the certificate is collected. There are vets all over the country, but many people use those based near the channel ports.
Have been using an alternative to our grossly robbing vet, doesn't even have the decency to wear a mask, for a good few years now. He's also cheaper if you are a repeat customer.
The first couple of times we used him he actually came to the house to finalise everything, now we go to his house about 20 minutes away.
He provides an excellent service.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 21/4/2026
For anyone needing an AHC and finding their local vet's charges very expensive, there's a useful FB site called AHC - Animal Health Certificate UK, run by a very knowledgeable lady called Kathy Thomas. That has access to a map of vets who specialise in AHCs and whose charges are usually around the £100 mark. We have used a vet from that map and everything has been done on line, except the quick check of the dog when the certificate is collected. There are vets all over the country, but many people use those based near the channel ports.
I also highly recommend the above FB site, Kathy Thomas is fantastic. It made the whole process a breeze and a lot cheaper for the AHC. I have returns from my road journey to Germany, with a day trip into Switzerland.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
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