The European Union has announced new pet travel regulations that will take effect on April 22, 2026, significantly altering the process for Great Britain residents traveling to the EU with their pets. According to multiple reports, GB residents will no longer be able to use EU pet passports issued in Great Britain, as these passports can only be issued to EU residents. Instead, GB residents must obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip from GB to the EU. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) spokesperson stated, "From 22 April, new EU rules change how GB residents travel to the EU with their pets, but holidays with your pets are still possible."
The 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, according to major media reports. However, some sources suggest the AHC may be valid for up to six months, creating a contradiction. The AHC is required for each trip from Britain to the EU, meaning pet owners must obtain a new certificate for every journey.
There is loads of hassle and it is very expensive with the existing system.
A new five-pet-per-private-vehicle limit has been introduced for non-commercial travel into the EU, as reported by major media. The existing limit of five pets per person travelling on foot remains the same, according to major media sources. Exceptions to the five-pet limit apply for pets travelling to competitions, events, or training, as reported by major media. The five-pet limit does not apply when travelling by bus, train, or plane, according to major media. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Eva Masthagen, infection control officer at the Swedish Board of Agriculture, described the change: "To reduce the risk of three or four people coming with five animals each in the same car, they have now tightened this up. Now it's a maximum of five animals per car and per transport occasion."
In Sweden, pet passports will have a new design from April 22, 2026, expected to be ready by January 1, 2028, according to major media. Pets not microchipped before April 22, 2026, must be chipped with an approved chip for a passport to be issued, as reported by major media. If a pet already has a chip that is not approved, the owner must bring an extract from the dog or cat register to the vet, according to major media. Pets with an existing passport do not need a new one, as reported by major media. To get a passport issued after April 21, the owner must be permanently resident in Sweden, according to major media. The owner's name and address must be written in the pet passport and signed, as reported by major media. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Eva Masthagen described: "There have been some misunderstandings there. If you already have a dog that is microchipped and has a passport, you are not affected much; the dog can continue to travel with its current passport for life."
Any British residents trying to use this as a cheap or easy alternative should be aware of the risks of getting caught out when pets are being moved between the EU and Great Britain.
Some British pet owners have bypassed the AHC requirement by obtaining an EU pet passport from a vet within the EU, according to major media. Dr David Nicholl, a consultant neurologist, obtained an EU pet passport for his dog in Belgium and has had no difficulties using it, as reported by major media. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Dr David Nicholl described the existing system as "loads of hassle and it is very expensive." However, the European Commission confirms that EU pet passports are only valid for pets habitually resident with their owner in an EU member state, according to major media. A European Commission spokesperson stated, "This applies to passports issued in a member state or Northern Ireland or in Great Britain before the end of the transition period and to passports issued in a member state or Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period." According to The Guardian - Main UK, Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, Senior Vice-President of the British Veterinary Association, described the risks: "Any British residents trying to use this as a cheap or easy alternative should be aware of the risks of getting caught out when pets are being moved between the EU and Great Britain."
If someone else travels with your pet, extra paperwork is required, according to major media. If you are not travelling with your pet, the pet must travel within five days of you, as reported by major media. The person accompanying the animal must have written permission from the owner, according to major media. However, what specific additional requirements or paperwork are needed remains unclear. The exact costs associated with obtaining an Animal Health Certificate compared to a pet passport are also unknown. How the new rules will be enforced at EU borders and what checks will be in place is not yet specified. It is also uncertain whether the new rules will affect pet travel between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. How the five-pet-per-vehicle limit will be verified and what penalties exist for non-compliance are additional unknowns. According to TV4 Nyheterna, Eva Masthagen described the situation for those exceeding the limit: "It's just that if you are only going to travel with your passport, it's five dogs that apply. Otherwise, you can still travel, but then a health certificate is required. It will be a small cost, but otherwise it's no big deal."
This applies to passports issued in a member state or Northern Ireland or in Great Britain before the end of the transition period and to passports issued in a member state or Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period.
We are constantly working to do everything we can to prevent animal diseases that could affect Swedish animals, people and our way of life. What is happening now is a slight tightening of the rules.
There have been some misunderstandings there. If you already have a dog that is microchipped and has a passport, you are not affected much; the dog can continue to travel with its current passport for life.
To reduce the risk of three or four people coming with five animals each in the same car, they have now tightened this up. Now it's a maximum of five animals per car and per transport occasion.
It's just that if you are only going to travel with your passport, it's five dogs that apply. Otherwise, you can still travel, but then a health certificate is required. It will be a small cost, but otherwise it's no big deal.