Brexit fundamentally changed how pet owners in Great Britain travel to Europe with their animals. Prior to 31 December 2020, British residents with an EU Pet Passport could move freely across EU member states with their dogs, cats, or ferrets — the same as any other EU citizen. That system no longer applies to Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). Northern Ireland has a different legal status and retains access to certain EU pet travel arrangements.

The result is a more complex, more expensive, and more time-sensitive process for British pet owners who want to take their animals abroad. This guide breaks down exactly what is required, step by step.

What Replaced the EU Pet Passport?

For travel from Great Britain to the EU, the EU Pet Passport has been replaced by an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). The AHC must be:

• Issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) — a vet specifically authorised by the UK government to issue official certificates
• Issued no more than 10 days before travel
• Valid for onward travel within the EU for 4 months after issue, or until the rabies vaccination expires (whichever is sooner)
• Valid for re-entry to Great Britain for 4 months from the date of issue

This means that for a two-week holiday in France or Spain, you need an AHC issued within 10 days of your departure date — you cannot arrange it months in advance. For longer stays or multiple trips per year, this creates both a logistical and financial challenge.

Finding an Official Veterinarian

Not all vets in the UK are authorised to issue an AHC. You need to specifically find an Official Veterinarian (OV). You can search for OVs through the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) or ask your regular vet whether they hold OV status. Many practices have at least one OV on staff, but appointment availability may be limited — especially in the 10-day window before travel.

PDSA's pet travel guidance includes a step-by-step overview for UK pet owners and links to APHA's OV search tool.

Step-by-Step: What You Need Before Travelling

1. Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped to ISO standard 11784/11785. This must have been done before or at the same time as their rabies vaccination — not after.
2. Rabies vaccination: Administered by a vet after (or at the time of) microchipping. If this is a first vaccination, your pet must wait 21 days before travelling.
3. Book an OV appointment: Within 10 days of your planned departure. Bring your pet's vaccination records.
4. AHC issued: The OV examines your pet, verifies documentation, and issues the certificate.
5. Travel within 10 days of the AHC issue date.

Tapeworm Treatment (Dogs Only)

If you are travelling with a dog and your return route enters Great Britain (including via ferry or Channel Tunnel), your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment from a vet 1–5 days before re-entry. The treatment must be recorded in your AHC or another official document. This applies to all dogs entering Great Britain from abroad.

Approved Routes into the EU

When entering the EU from Great Britain, you must use a designated point of entry that handles live animal checks. Not all ports and terminals accept pets — confirm your specific route and operator before booking. The Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) and major ferry operators (DFDS, Brittany Ferries, P&O) have pet travel services, but availability varies by vessel and season.

The EU checks your AHC at the border — border control staff verify that the certificate is within the 10-day window and that your pet's microchip matches. If you arrive without valid documentation, your pet may be refused entry or placed in quarantine at your expense.

The Cost of Post-Brexit Pet Travel from the UK

The AHC system is noticeably more expensive than the old EU Pet Passport system:

• AHC issue fee: Typically £150–£300 per certificate, depending on the practice
• OV appointment fee: Sometimes included in the above, sometimes additional
• Per-trip cost: As the AHC is required for every trip, frequent travellers face significant recurring costs

The Guardian and BBC News have both covered the financial and logistical burden the AHC system places on British pet owners — a topic that continues to generate significant public debate.

Northern Ireland: A Different Situation

Due to the Northern Ireland Protocol (now the Windsor Framework), Northern Ireland retained a different status in the post-Brexit pet travel arrangements. Pet owners travelling from Northern Ireland to EU member states via the Republic of Ireland may have access to different documentation requirements — specifically, they may still use an EU Pet Passport issued in Northern Ireland. Always verify current rules with your vet or DAERA (Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture) before travelling.

Re-entry to Great Britain

When returning from the EU to Great Britain, the AHC remains valid for re-entry for 4 months from the date of issue (provided the rabies vaccination is still valid). If you are making multiple short trips (e.g., several weekend visits to France), confirm with your OV whether the same AHC covers multiple re-entries within that period.