Is it possible to travel with your pet to the EU? The answer is “Yes”. However, you can’t just bring your furry friend and hop on a plane. Necessary paperwork needs to be done for the pet traveling with you. Keep on reading and find out about what an EU pet passport is and how to apply for one.
What is the EU pet passport
The EU pet passport is an essential document required for pet travel throughout the EU. Any authorized veterinarian can issue an EU pet passport. It contains information about your pet including its description, microchip and proof of rabies vaccination, as well as the contact information of both the pet’s veterinarian and owner. Once the EU pet passport is issued, it is valid for life. The document is used to prove that your pet is fit for travel and it doesn’t need to be quarantined when it crosses borders in the EU countries.
Requirements for European Union pet passport
Not all pets are eligible to get a pet passport. To obtain an EU pet passport, your pet needs to meet certain requirements as follows:
1. Microchipped
First thing first, your pet has to be implanted in an ISO-compliant 15-digit identification microchip. Every microchip has a unique number to help identify your pet. You can have it done by a certified practitioner.
2. Vaccinated
Rabies vaccination is necessary for the EU pet passport and it should be updated at least 21 days before your departure. The type of vaccination required may vary from country to country in the EU. Make sure you consult with your veterinarian before you get your pet vaccinated.
3. Without tapeworm
In some European countries, they have specific rules for tapeworms with dogs. If you are visiting the UK, Ireland, Finland, Norway or Malta, your dogs must receive tapeworm treatments within 24 to 120 hours before travel, or they may be quarantined when they arrive in these countries for up to 4 months. The tapeworm treatments have to be done by veterinarians and must be recorded on the EU pet passports.
How to get EU pet passport in UK
Getting GB-issued EU pet passports in the UK used to be easy, but it has become tricky after Brexit since the UK is no longer a member of the EU. Here we provide the procedures for obtaining EU pet passports in the UK under 3 different situations:
Pet travel from the UK to the EU
As mentioned, due to Brexit, GB-issued EU pet passports are not available. Instead, as a UK citizen, you need to apply for an AHC, which is short for Animal Health Certificate, if you want to travel with your pet from the UK to the EU. Although the AHC serves as an entry document as well, it is different from the GB-issued EU pet passport as follows:
- The AHC is valid for a single trip.
- It allows a maximum of 5 pets to enter the EU and Northern Ireland.
- The AHC only applies to non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets.
- It should be certified by an authorized veterinarian.
- It must be obtained 10 days before you enter the EU.
- You need to present a new AHC each time you enter the EU or Northern Ireland from the UK.
- It is valid for 4 months counting from the date of issuance. You should return to the UK within 4 months.
- In case your pet’s rabies vaccine expires, your AHC expires too.
- An AHC-certified pet has to be at least 12 weeks old, microchipped and rabies vaccinated at least 21 days in advance.
To get an AHC, you can go to an Official Veteranian (OV) and fill out an application form with information of you and your pet, including contact information, your pet’s vaccination records, etc.
Pet travel within the EU
If you and your pet are already in the EU countries, an EU pet passport is relatively easy to get. With an EU pet passport, your pet is free to travel within the EU. Follow these steps:
1. Gather the below necessary information.
- An Annex IV form filled out and certified by your home veterinarian.
- A rabies certificate or a rabies titre test results within 21 days.
- Information about your pet’s microchip, including the chip number, date of implantation, issuing company information, etc.
2. Make an appointment.
Find a local official EU veterinarian clinic online and make an appointment in person with the documents you prepare. Make sure it provides English service in advance.
3. Attend the appointment and get the pet passport.
Take your pet to the appointment on the scheduled date. The veterinarian will perform a health exam on your pet, review your documents and fill out your EU pet passport. Remember to consult the vet whether your pet needs tapeworm treatment since it is required in some EU countries.
4. Get a pet photo.
The pet photo on the EU pet passport is optional, but it is better you stick one to the space on the description page, ensuring a smooth entry to your destination country. The photo size should be 2 x 2 inches (50 x 50 mm).
Pet travel from the EU to the UK
Whether you are returning to the UK from the EU or you are traveling from the EU to the UK, your pet should meet the following requirements:
- In case you are returning to the UK, you need to have the AHC issued in the UK. If you are traveling to the UK from an EU country, you should get a UK AHC where you depart.
- Tapeworm treatments are necessary for dogs. They should be done between 24 to 120 hours before the dogs enter the UK and they should be certified by an Official Veterinarian (OV). Please note that GB OVs have no rights to fill out an EU pet passport.
- However, if you are departing from Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, neither an AHC nor a tapeworm treatment is needed for your pet.
Can I get a French EU pet passport
Yes, but it is quite difficult. Now that the UK is not in the EU, the rules for French EU pet passport issuance have been much stricter for UK pets. The French veterinarians who issue French pet passports will require UK pet owners to provide:
- A French address
- Proof that your pets are on the I-CAD Identification register.
Please note that a pet can only register with I-CAD if you can prove your pet will stay in France for over 3 months, which is the maximum duration of stay for travelers from the UK without a visa.
Which EU countries issue pet passports to British pets
Not every EU country is as strict as France when it comes to pet passports. There are still many countries that will issue EU pet passports to British pets without proof of address. See the list below:
| EU Country |
| Austria |
| Belgium |
| Denmark |
| Eire |
| Germany |
| Monaco |
| Portugal |
| Spain |
How much does an EU pet passport cost
The cost for an EU pet passport depends on the country it is issued and the veterinarian you consult. Based on feedback from pet owners online, the price for an EU pet passport ranges from $10 to $70. If you require a tapeworm treatment or a rabies booster, additional costs will be charged.
How long does an EU dog passport last?
It depends on what type of dog passport you are holding. If you are traveling within the EU, your EU pet passport should be valid for your dog’s lifetime. If you are a UK citizen and travel to an EU country with your dog, which means you are holding an AHC as a dog passport, it is only valid for 4 months from the date of issuance. You need to return to the UK within this period.
FAQ
What airlines allow dogs in the UK?
Many commercial airlines in the UK allow dogs on the plane, such as British Airways, Brussels Airlines, etc. You can find all the airlines and airports you can use on the website of the UK government.
Can you change ownership of an EU pet passport?
Yes. You can record a change of ownership in an EU pet passport, but make sure your vet has changed the microchip on your pet along with the pet passport.
Can my dog enter the UK with an EU passport?
No. Whether you are returning to the UK or traveling to the UK with your dog, you need an AHC to cross the border.
Conclusion
Although traveling with your dogs between the UK and the EU is not as easy as before Brexit, it is still feasible. In this guide, we have delved into how to get a dog passport in the UK and under what situation you should apply for an AHC instead of an EU pet passport. The process is very simple if you are well-prepared.
Erin Lo