People traveling from the UK to Europe are facing a significant passport change this week. Starting on Wednesday, April 22, existing documents will become invalid. This alteration, post-Brexit, imposes new requirements for those traveling with pets, necessitating updated documentation to avoid potential issues.
Previously, individuals taking their pets across borders by various means of transportation could rely on the EU Pet Passport system. However, with the enforcement of EU Regulation 2016/429, also known as the Animal Health Law, this week after a decade-long transition period, travelers must now adhere to a new set of regulations.
To comply with the updated rules, anyone journeying to Europe with their pet must obtain an Animal Health Certificate. This certificate mandates a recent veterinary examination within 10 days of travel, the issuance of a new certificate for each trip, and a payment of £90 per pet.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) released Briefing Note 14/26 on April 17, 2026, signaling a significant shift in pet travel protocols. This change effectively closes the loophole that allowed GB residents to use EU-issued pet passports to avoid the expenses associated with Animal Health Certificates (AHCs).
According to a spokesperson, EU pet passports held by GB residents will no longer be valid for trips from the UK to the EU. This restriction encompasses EU pet passports obtained in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, irrespective of their issuance date. EU pet passports are now exclusively available to individuals whose primary residence is within the European Union.
Residents of Great Britain cannot utilize an EU pet passport for travel to the EU, regardless of where or when the passport was obtained. Hence, UK residents must secure an Animal Health Certificate for each journey to the EU. Additionally, the briefing clarifies that EU pet passports issued in Northern Ireland are also deemed invalid for travel if the owner resides in Great Britain.
APHA is in the process of updating the AHC forms to align with the new EU regulations. During this transitional phase, older AHC templates will still be accepted for entry into the EU. Presently, there are no alterations to the requirements for pets entering Great Britain, where valid EU pet passports or AHCs can still be used for re-entry.
For dogs, the obligation for a vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before returning to Great Britain remains in effect. Pet owners should promptly contact their veterinarian to arrange for an AHC, as pet passports will no longer suffice for UK residents crossing borders after the specified date.
The revised regulations governing the movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets are outlined in a January 2026 EU directive set to take effect on April 22.