Travelling to Europe changed as of 1 January 2021, and the previously used U.K. issued passports are no longer valid. EU issued passports will remain valid until the Rabies vaccination entry expires. Your EU passport cannot be updated with rabies vaccinations by a vet in the U.K., once expired they cannot be used to leave the U.K. to go to the E.U.

The passport system has been replaced with Animal Health certificates. Up to 5 animals can travel on these, they are for non commercial transfer of animals only, and owners need to have proof that they are making the same journey at the same time or within 5 days of travel. If you are travelling with more than five pets or your pet is being rehomed and you are not travelling with them, different paperwork is needed.

The paperwork can be started ahead of time, but the final signatures need to be completed within 10 days of travel. The initial appointment can be done as soon as you know your dates of travel.

You will need:

• Your pet must be microchipped, with proof of the date of implantation if possible.
• Your pet’s vaccination history. Rabies vaccination must be done more than 3 weeks before travel and must be in date, this can vary from 1-3years validity. I do not need to have done the injection. If your vet checked and recorded the microchip number on the date of rabies injection, I can use their records as proof of vaccination. They would need to email these to me.
• The entry point in the E.U. where you officially clear customs to enter the E.U. For example, if you are travelling to Germany via France, landing by ferry in France, the passport must be completed in French and English. If you are travelling to Sweden by air, and transit through the Netherlands, but don’t pass through customs until Sweden, the paperwork must be done in Swedish and English.
• If your puppy or kitten is under 16 weeks old, the individual country will need to be consulted, the requirements vary. Not all countries allow entry of animals under 16 weeks of age.
• The passport is valid for entry to the E.U. for 10 days from issue (and for clients travelling by sea, an additional amount of time is allowed for travel) and for 4 months of onward travel and return to the UK. It is valid for a single trip only, unlike the previous passport system.
• Dogs require tapeworm treatment to be endorsed on the certificate before re-entering the UK, at least 24h and no more than 5d before travel. This is time stamped, so allow at least 24h for this when making an appointment with your E.U. vet. Dogs travelling directly to the U.K. from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Finland and Malta are exempt from this treatment.
• However, dogs travelling to Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland and Malta must receive time stamped tape worming treatment in the UK. This must be administered by the certifying OV at least 24h and less than 5 days before travel from the UK.
• Pets must enter via a designated Traveller’s Point of Entry. Not all airlines and airports fall into this category, you will need to check with your airline to ensure your route is suitable before booking.
• All paperwork, including a declaration of non commercial travel, must be stamped, signed and a certified copy made. You need to travel with the original and the second copy is kept on record for the APHA as future evidence in cases where certificate tampering is suspected. Proof of travel should also be filed, so a copy if your travel ticket showing your name and date of travel will be requested.