Pet travel to Europe from 01.01.2021
From 1 January 2021 onward, the UK will have Part 2 listed status under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, meaning that people traveling from Great Britain with their pets and assistance dogs will need to follow new requirements in order to travel to the EU and Northern Ireland.
EU pet passports issued by GB Official Veterinarians will NO LONGER be valid to travel to Europe (EU) or Northern Ireland (NI).
Before your dog, cat or ferret can travel to the EU or NI for the first time after 1 January 2021 you will need to take the following steps.
These steps are similar to the current process for taking your pet to the EU, but you will need an animal health certificate (AHC) instead of a pet passport.
1. You must have your dog, cat or ferret microchipped.
2. Vaccinate your dog, cat or ferret against rabies – your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated.
3. Wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel.
4. Visit your vet to get an AHC for your pet, no more than 10 days before travel to the EU. Please ask for a questionnaire as soon as you are making plans to travel abroad.
As long as you keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date, you will not need to get repeat vaccinations for repeat trips to the EU or NI.
Getting an animal health certificate (AHC)
PLEASE FILL IN OUR ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS YOU ARE MAKING PLANS TO TRAVEL. PLEASE CALL IN AT ANY OF OUR SURGERIES TO COLLECT A QUESTIONNAIRE OR GIVE US A CALL AND WE CAN SEND A COPY VIA EMAIL.
You must take your pet to your vet no more than 10 days before travel.
The AHC is signed by an official vet. Most of our vets are qualified to issue the certificates, but please check when you book your appointment.
You must take proof of:
* your pet’s microchipping date
* your pet’s vaccination history
Your pet’s AHC will be valid for:
* 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU or NI
* onward travel within the EU or NI for 4 months after the date of issue
* re-entry to GB for 4 months after the date of issue
* one single entry to an EU country. YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY FOR A NEW ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE EVERY TIME YOU TRAVEL
For further information please click on the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021