Pet travel: Pet Passports

Many of us consider our pets to be an important part of the family, so it’s only natural to want to take them with us when we travel. However, since leaving the EU, things have become a little more complicated. This is not helped by the fact that the rules are regularly updated as well.

To help, we’ve put together answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about pet travel. Read on to find out more about the current information on pet travel and passports.

What does my cat or dog need to travel abroad?

The exact requirements will vary depending on the country you wish to visit. But broadly divided it falls into two main categories:

EU travel

If you are a resident in Great Britain (England, Scotland, or Wales) and wish to travel to an EU country, your pet will require:

  • A microchip which is your pet’s identification and links them to both the rabies vaccination record and their travel documents.
  • A valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before you intend to travel, administered by a vet. Your pet must be over 12 weeks of age to receive this vaccine. Once administered, this will last for three years, so we advise doing it as soon as you start thinking about your travel plans, rather than leaving it until the last minute. If your pet receives a rabies booster vaccination before the 3 years expire on their first injection, then you may travel without waiting the 21-day period again.
  • An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued 0-10 days before your date of travel by an Official Veterinarian (OV). An AHC now allows your pet to travel within the EU for up to 6 months (it was previously only 4 months). If you wish to return to Great Britain after 6 months, you will need additional documentation. It is worth noting that you will require a new AHC each time you travel from the GB to the EU.
    The AHC document is several pages long and states owner details, point of entry into the EU, the identity of the pet and evidence of their rabies vaccination. It also details many other things such as who is travelling with the pet.
  • Note – travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland (unless you have a NIPT – see further down), and Norway – please note, dogs travelling to these countries will require a tapeworm treatment before entry. This must be administered by a vet who will record it in your AHC, 1-5 days before travel.

Worldwide travel

Worldwide travel can be a little more complex and will depend on the country’s individual requirements. Some countries will require additional checks, such as blood samples, alternative documentation including an Export Health Certificate (EHC), and examinations from more than one veterinary surgeon. This means the lead time can be much longer than for EU travel. If you wish to take your pet to a non-EU country, we recommend doing your research early and letting us know your requirements as soon as possible.

What does my pet need to re-enter Great Britain?

We’ve covered exiting GB, but what about re-entry?

As well as your valid AHC document and rabies vaccine, your pet may need a tapeworm treatment to come home again.

If you own a dog, you must visit a vet in the EU 1 – 5 days before you travel back to GB. This is so that a tapeworm tablet can be administered and recorded in your AHC. This legal requirement helps to protect us against the Echinococcus tapeworm, a parasite that can affect people as well as animals. You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re coming directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta, or Norway.

Cats are exempt from tapeworm treatment.

What else should I consider when travelling abroad?

While the only legal parasite requirement for pet travel is the tapeworm treatment previously discussed, we strongly recommend protecting your pet abroad to prevent vector-borne diseases.

Tick treatment is essential in many locations. Ticks can carry infectious diseases such as Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Lyme disease. These are widespread in mainland Europe and could make your pet very unwell, even after they’ve returned home to GB. In some countries, mosquitoes and sandflies are problematic, as not only are the bites irritating, but they also spread diseases like Leishmaniasis and heartworm.

Please speak to the team if you would like more detailed advice on parasite treatment options for your pets.

What have been the most recent changes for pet travel?

EU pet passports

One of the most recent changes to affect UK pet owners is a ruling from the EU that prevents GB residents from using EU passports. For many frequent travellers, such as those with a holiday home abroad, it previously made sense for animals to have a pet passport issued by a vet in the EU. This avoided the need for an AHC each trip, provided your rabies vaccinations were done on time and were accurately documented by your EU vet.

However, if your primary residence is in Great Britain, you are no longer allowed to use an EU passport. Your pet will require an AHC each time you travel.

As this is a fairly recent change, further guidance may be forthcoming. We advise contacting us as soon as possible if this update affects your future travel plans. Your pet may require a rabies vaccination restart, or we need evidence from your EU vet about your dog’s vaccination status. If you are currently abroad, you can enter the UK on your current EU pet passport as normal, but you will need an AHC next time you travel.

Other AHC and EU travel updates

As well as the change to EU pet passports, in April 2026, the following changes were made to AHCs:

  • Animal Health Certificates are still single use but now last up to 6 months instead of 4 months, provided your rabies vaccination remains valid.
  • If the owner is not travelling with the pet, extra documentation will be required. The owner must be travelling within 5 days of the pet’s travel with evidence of this (ferry or plane ticket or example). The person travelling with the pet must have written permission from the owner, which accompanies the AHC.
  • There is a five-pet limit per private vehicle, rather than 5 per person for non-commercial travel. Exemptions may apply for pets travelling to competitions or events, provided certain conditions are met.

You can read about the updates on the government website.

Northern Ireland travel

From 4th June 2025, residents of Great Britain travelling to Northern Ireland must use the new Northern Ireland Pet Travel Scheme (NIPTS). This involves a free, lifelong Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document (PTD), a microchip, and a declaration that you will not travel onwards to the Republic of Ireland or the EU. Rabies or tapeworm treatment is not required.

What does the future hold for pet passports?

The future of pet passports is uncertain, but we are hoping positive shift is on the way.

Changes may be implemented in 2027 which will introduce a UK pet passport. If the new deal goes through, this will stay valid for the pet’s lifetime (provided rabies vaccinations are kept up to date), much like EU passports, thereby avoiding the single use AHC. This should allow owners to more easily enjoy their pet’s company on their travels and holidays.

So, watch this space!

Summary

We want you and your pets to enjoy your travels together!

The key message when considering travelling abroad is to start organising things early. Giving yourself plenty of time allows you to follow stipulated timelines without stress. It also ensures our team can prepare official documentation in time and meet your needs.

Please note that pet travel regulations are subject to change. The information in this blog was correct at the time of writing, but we recommend contacting our team for the latest advice before travelling with your pet.

If you have any questions following this blog or would like to book a pet travel related appointment, then please contact our team on 0151 428 8600 and we’ll be happy to help.