Pet Travel to the EU – New Regulations since 1 / 1 /2021

Travelling to the EU or NI with your pet
A current EU pet passport issued in GB will not be valid for travel to the EU or NI from 1 January 2021.

Before your dog, cat or ferret can travel to the EU or NI for the first time after 1 January 2021, you’ll need to take the following steps. These steps are similar to the current process for taking your pet to the EU, but you’ll need an animal health certificate (AHC) instead of a pet passport.

1. You must have your dog, cat or ferret microchipped.
2. Vaccinate your dog, cat or ferret against rabies – your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated.
3. Wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel.
4. Visit your vet to get an AHC for your pet, no more than 10 days before travel to the EU.

As long as you keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date (generally every 3 years), you will not need to get repeat vaccinations for repeat trips to the EU or NI.

Getting an animal health certificate (AHC)
You must also take your pet to your vet no more than 10 days before travel to get an AHC. The AHC needs to be signed by an official vet (Jonathan is an OV).

You must take proof of:

• your pet’s microchipping date.
• your pet’s vaccination history.

Your pet’s AHC will be valid for:

• 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU or NI.
• onward travel within the EU or NI for 4 months after the date of issue.
• re-entry to GB for 4 months after the date of issue.

Travelling to Finland, Republic of Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta
If you’re travelling with your dog directly to Finland, Republic of Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta, it must have treatment against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis).

Your dog will need to receive treatment 1 to 5 days before arriving in any of these countries. Your vet must enter full details on the AHC following treatment.

Re-entering UK from an EU country not ROI, NI, Finland, Norway or Malta:
Tapeworm Treatment for Echinococcus multilocularis (Tapeworm) treatment should be recorded in the certificate before return to the United Kingdom. This treatment must be administered not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before the pet is landed in the United Kingdom. This must be administered by a veterinarian.

N.B.
Repeat trips to the EU or NI
Your pet will need a new AHC for each trip to the EU or NI.

**Please call on 01923 750 680 or 01923 608 768 if you have any queries regarding the new scheme.

For Pet Travel not to an EU country:
If you are travelling or moving to Non-EU countries you will need an Export Health Certificate instead. Use this government website to find specific information for the country you are going to. www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country