UK Pet Passports No Longer Valid for EU Travel
New travel rules introduced by the European Union mean that some pet passports are no longer valid as of 22 April. Pet owners in England, Scotland, and Wales can no longer use pet passports—even those originally issued within the EU—when travelling to EU countries.
According to guidance on the UK government website, pets arriving with a passport may be denied entry. Instead, owners travelling with dogs, cats, or ferrets must now obtain an animal health certificate before departure. This certificate must be issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of travel and will be required for each trip from Britain to the EU.
Once issued, the certificate can be used for onward travel within the EU for up to six months and also allows re-entry into the UK within that period.
The updated rules apply to assistance dogs as well. Additional changes include a maximum of five pets per private vehicle and a requirement for written authorization if an animal is travelling with someone other than its owner.
EU pet passports will now only be issued to individuals who are permanently based within the EU, excluding seasonal visitors and second-home owners. However, existing passports may still be accepted for UK-based travellers returning home.
