New EU Pet Travel Rules 

Since April 22nd 2026, an EU pet passport, issued to or held by a pet owner who is resident in Great Britain, has not been a valid document for travelling with pets from Great Britain to the EU. This applies to EU pet passports issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22 April 2026.  

This means that residents of Great Britain travelling to the EU with a pet dog, cat or ferret will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for all travel to the EU. 

While the AHC is a single-use document, it does allow onward travel within the EU and return to Great Britain for a limited period, provided vaccinations remain valid. 

Additional rules include a maximum of five pets per vehicle for non-commercial travel and extra documentation if someone else is transporting your pet. 

These changes mean that planning ahead is more important than ever. Our efficient, capable and confident team arrange travel documents every day at Highgate Veterinary Clinic. We'll help you and your pet get where you want to go whether it's close by or across the world. 

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