Do I need a pet passport to travel abroad? Post-BREXIT pet travel, explained

If you want to travel with dogs after Brexit in the EU or Northern Ireland, you can no longer use dog passports issued in Great Britain. However, you can still use dog passports that were issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.

To travel to the EU or Northern Ireland, your dog will need:

• a microchip
• a valid rabies vaccination
• an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) – unless they have a valid dog passport
• tapeworm treatment (for certain countries).

You can’t use cat, ferret and dog passports that were issued in Great Britain to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland anymore, but you can still use those that were issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.

• If you want to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland with your cat, they must be:
• microchipped
• vaccinated against rabies
• issued with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), unless they have a valid cat passport

An AHC is a document that has replaced cat, ferret and dog passports. It includes details about:

• you, the pet parent
• your pet
• your pet’s rabies vaccination and, if needed, tapeworm treatment
• which country you’re travelling to

Unlike a pet passport, which can be used over and over again, an AHC has to be issued for every trip you take to the EU or Northern Ireland.

You can get an AHC from your vet. It can only be issued by an official veterinarian (OV), so it’s worth calling your practice and checking that they have one – otherwise, you’ll need to go somewhere else. Only people aged 16 years and over can apply for an AHC. As a pet parent, you have to apply for the AHC yourself, or nominate someone else in writing to do so.

How long does it take to get an AHC?

You need to wait at least 21 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination before they can have their appointment to get an AHC. Once it’s issued, your pet’s AHC will be valid for entering the EU or Northern Ireland for the next ten days, and will last four months, allowing you to travel between EU countries and return to the UK. Always make sure to start planning your trip with your vet as soon as you can to avoid any stress and inconvenience.

You can find more advice and guidance on travel with dogs after Brexit – as well as cats and ferrets – on the government website. And if you need any more pet tips, take a look at our advice pages.