Travelers from the UK heading to Europe have been alerted to a significant passport update taking effect this week, rendering existing documents invalid starting on Wednesday, April 22. Following the post-Brexit alterations, individuals accompanied by pets will now require updated paperwork or risk being refused entry.
Previously, individuals transporting their pets abroad via various modes of transport could utilize an EU Pet Passport. However, the implementation of EU Regulation 2016/429, also known as the Animal Health Law, this week after a decade-long transition period, now mandates the use of an Animal Health Certificate for pet owners traveling to Europe.
To comply with the new requirements, travelers with pets must secure an Animal Health Certificate, necessitating a veterinary examination within 10 days of the journey, obtaining a new certificate for each trip, and making a payment of £90 per pet.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) released Briefing Note 14/26 on April 17, 2026, marking a pivotal shift in pet travel regulations, effectively closing the loophole that allowed Great Britain residents to avoid the costs associated with Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) by using EU-issued pet passports.
According to a spokesperson, EU pet passports held by Great Britain residents will no longer be considered valid for pet travel from Great Britain to the EU. This restriction applies to EU pet passports obtained in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, regardless of issuance date before or after April 22, 2026. EU pet passports can only be issued to individuals whose primary residence is within the European Union.
Residents of Great Britain are now mandated to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every journey to the EU, irrespective of the origin or issuance date of their EU pet passport. Additionally, EU pet passports issued in Northern Ireland are deemed invalid for travel if the owner is a resident of Great Britain.
APHA is in the process of updating the AHC forms to comply with the new EU regulations. During this transitional phase, older AHC templates will still be accepted for travel to the EU. There are currently no modifications to the entry requirements for pets arriving in Great Britain, where valid EU pet passports or AHCs can still be utilized.
For dogs, the prerequisite for a vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before re-entering Great Britain remains unchanged. Pet owners are advised to promptly arrange for an AHC through their veterinarian, as pet passports will no longer be valid for UK residents crossing the border starting from the specified date.
New regulations concerning the movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets are outlined in a January 2026 EU mandate set to be enforced on April 22.