Before Brexit, taking a cat, dog or ferret to the EU was relatively simple under the Pet Travel Scheme, requiring a microchip, rabies vaccination, pet passport, and for dogs tapeworm treatment. Since 2021, the process has become more cumbersome and expensive, with the pet passport replaced by the animal health certificate (AHC). The animal health certificate (AHC) must be issued within 10 days before entry to the EU and is valid for four months for onward travel within the EU and re-entry to Great Britain.
Social media sites including Reddit and Facebook are replete with pet owners reporting that they have bypassed the need for an AHC by obtaining a pet passport from a vet within the EU. Dr David Nicholl, a consultant neurologist in Hagley, Worcestershire, has an EU pet passport for his jack russell, Lily, noting it was much cheaper than an AHC. Dr David Nicholl arranged an EU pet passport for Lily in Belgium and has had no difficulties in using it, adding that the document does not show the address of the owner.
Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, the senior vice-president of the British Veterinary Association, says EU guidance states that the European pet passport is only issued to pet owners who are resident in the EU. The European Commission confirms that EU pet passports are only valid for pet animals residing habitually with their owner in an EU member state. The European Commission says an AHC issued by an official veterinarian in Great Britain is required for each travel from Great Britain to the EU.
A slightly simpler process involving a pet travel document is in place for travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Pet passports can still be issued to owners resident in Northern Ireland.