Travelers from the UK heading to Europe are facing a significant passport update this week, with existing documents becoming invalid starting April 22. Following the post-Brexit adjustments, individuals accompanied by pets will now require fresh paperwork or risk deportation.
Previously, individuals traveling with their pets across Europe by various means such as air, rail, sea, or road could utilize an EU Pet Passport. However, the enforcement of EU Regulation 2016/429, also known as the Animal Health Law, takes effect this week after a decade-long transition period.
Henceforth, those journeying to Europe with their pets must possess an Animal Health Certificate. This certificate mandates a veterinary examination within ten days before departure, the acquisition of a new certificate for each trip, and a payment of £90 per pet.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) published Briefing Note 14/26 on April 17, 2026, marking a pivotal alteration in pet travel regulations. This change effectively closes the “loophole” where Great Britain (GB) residents leveraged EU-issued pet passports to bypass the expense of Animal Health Certificates (AHCs).
A spokesperson emphasized that an EU pet passport held by a GB resident will no longer suffice for traveling with pets from GB to the EU. This directive encompasses EU pet passports issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, irrespective of issuance before April 22, 2026. EU pet passports are exclusively available to owners whose primary residence lies within the European Union.
Residents of Great Britain cannot utilize an EU pet passport for travel from the UK to the EU, regardless of where or when it was obtained. Consequently, UK residents must secure an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every journey to the EU.
Furthermore, the briefing specifies that EU pet passports issued in Northern Ireland are also invalid for travel if the owner resides in Great Britain.
APHA is in the process of updating AHC forms to align with the latest EU regulations. During this transition period, older AHC templates will still be accepted for travel to the EU. Presently, there are no alterations to the guidelines for pets entering GB, and a valid EU pet passport or AHC remains valid for return trips to the UK.
The requirement for dogs to undergo a vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before re-entering GB remains unchanged.
UK residents are advised to promptly consult with their veterinarian to arrange for an AHC, as pet passports will no longer be valid at the UK border post the specified date.
The updated guidelines concerning the movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets are encapsulated in a January 2026 EU regulation slated to be enforced on April 22.