Traveling abroad to EU countries as well as Northern Ireland (NI) with your pet ferret, cat or dog, you must change them on the 1st of January in 2021.
Pet passports issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) which includes Isle of Man, Channel Islands and Isle of Man is now ineligible and cannot be used to travel in an EU member state and/or Northern Ireland.
You may still be able to utilize your pet passport when you’re travelling in another EU country and the passport you received was issued in:
An EU country that is a member of the EU.
Andorra
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Greenland
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Monaco
Northern Ireland
Norway
San Marino
Switzerland
Vatican City State
What are the things I’ll require to take with me when I travel with my pet between and within Great Britain?
If you are planning on pet travel from or to Great Britain (GB) to the EU with your dog or aid They will require:
a microchip
A valid rabies vaccination your pet should be at minimum 12 weeks old before they can receive a vaccination
treatment for tapeworms (if required)
An animal health certificate (AHC) AHC is required within 10 days from the date you plan to travel.
Make sure you check your route before departing and you must use approved routes.
Assistance dogs
If you’re traveling with an assist dog that you are going back to the EU You do not need to travel on approved routes. You just need to inform the authorities that you are traveling with an aid dog and ensure that the proper tests are performed.
There is no requirement to take an approved route if travel to GB via different UK states, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.
What is the best time for my pet to get the rabies vaccine?
Your pet should be at minimum 12 weeks old to get the vaccination. You must then wait 21 days following the first vaccination of your pet before you are able to travel.
Traveling in Finland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta
In addition to this in addition to the above, if you travel with your dog towards Finland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta you’ll need to treat your dog for tapeworm.
Your pet needs to undergo treatment for a period of one to five days prior to arriving each of these nations. Your veterinarian must also provide all the details of the AHC after treatment.
How should I proceed once I am in the EU?
If you are arriving within the EU You will need to go to the Travellers’ Point of Entry and present a valid evidence that your animal’s AHC microchip, vaccinations and treatment for tapeworms (if required) before you are permitted to continue your journey.
What is the maximum time I am allowed to travel?
The AHC is valid for a period of four months traveling in the EU. It is also required to return into Great Britain within that period or your AHC will expire.
Return visits to EU or NI
Your pet will require an new AHC for every visit into either the EU as well as NI.
If your pet’s history is current rabies vaccine background following your first AHC and they are healthy, they won’t require a re-vaccination prior to traveling in either the EU and NI.
If you’re traveling direct towards Finland, Republic of Ireland, NI, Norway or Malta You will require tapeworm treatment each time you travel.
What age is my pet required to be to travel?
Within GB your pet can’t travel to or out of England, Scotland or Wales in the event that they are older than 15 weeks old. This includes the 12 weeks that it is required to reach the age to receive their vaccinations, and a 21-day wait afterward to allow the vaccination to be effective.
How many animals can I bring along on my travels?
You are able to travel with up to five pets or from GB. The only exceptions are when you’re participating in or are training
in a contest
in an event
during the course of a sporting event
You must bring a written proof of your participation in the event on the Travellers’ Point of Entry.
Your pet must at least six months old and actively participating in the competition or training and meet all other requirements required to enter the country.
Additional requirements to research
Before leaving, determine if there are illnesses or parasites that you need which you need to know about, or laws in the country that differ from the laws that we observe within the UK. For instance, there are illnesses in south-western Mediterranean and other places that are recommended to safeguard your pet from.
Ask your veterinarian regarding any health issues and get advice on how to protect yourself against mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies, all of which could cause illness. There could be additional risks, like blisters on the feet caused by hot surfaces or poisonous snakes that you as well as your pet aren’t well-versed in.
The laws regarding dog ownership differ across countries. In Italy for instance (as as on some ferry boats) the pet owners are required to keep their pets muzzled in publicplaces, which is why you’ll have to purchase one and ensure that your pet is properly taught to wear it, and you keep it close to you always.
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