POST BREXIT CRACKDOWN MAKES TRAVEL MORE EXPENSIVE FOR BRITS WITH EU PET PASSPORTS - EuroNews 22/4 by Angela Symons
A loophole open since Brexit has now been closed, meaning pet owners will have to get new documents for every trip.
Bad news for British pet owners who’ve been sneaking their dogs, cats and ferrets on EU holidays using old paperwork: a loophole on EU pet passports closes today (22 April).
Since Brexit, a quirk in the rules meant Brits with holiday homes in EU countries could still use the travel documents to bring their animals along. As of today, that’s over – the EU has tightened the rules so that only British citizens with EU residency or long-stay visas can keep using them.
“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,” the UK government warns.
In other words, if you're a resident of England, Scotland or Wales – even one who’s had an EU pet passport for years – your furry travel companion may need a different document to holiday in the EU.
EU pet passports will still be valid for re-entry into Great Britain.
What should pet-owners use in place of EU pet passports?
Dogs, cats and ferrets (the only animals eligible for EU pet passports) travelling from England, Wales or Scotland to an EU country will now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead.
This involves having your pet examined by an Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of departure. The pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the certificate is issued.
OVs are private practice vets authorised by the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to perform government-funded tasks, like issuing export health certificates and certifying pet travel documents.
AHCs cost from around £100 (€115) and are single-use – so you'll need a new one for every trip.
There’s one piece of good news: the validity period for onward travel within the EU, Switzerland and Norway has been extended from four to six months, as long as rabies vaccinations remain valid.
The EU states that pet owners must also attach a written declaration to the AHC stating that their pet is travelling for non-commercial reasons.
Further tightening of rules on pets travelling from the UK
There are few other things to know before packing the pet carrier: if your pet isn't travelling with you, they must travel within five days of you, and whoever brings them must carry written permission from you.
There’s also a new five pet limit per private vehicle – down from five pets per person, which still applies to foot passengers. Exceptions apply in certain circumstances, such as travelling for a competition.
Individual EU countries may have their own specific requirements – so it’s worth checking before you book.
