Pet Passports and Brexit

As the ever-pressing issue of Brexit continues to shape both public, governmental and professional discourse and opinion across the country we examine how pet passports might be affected in the various outcomes as a result of Brexit.

The following information has been taken from the official government guidance on pet passports and Brexit and can be found here.

The UK will become a third country when it leaves the EU. Third countries can apply to the European Commission to be listed. In the EU Pet Travel Scheme, there are 3 categorisations of third country:

• unlisted
• Part 1 listed
• Part 2 listed

Pet travel requirements will change depending on what category the UK becomes on exit day. The UK is likely to be treated as an unlisted country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme if it leaves without a deal. To make sure your pet is able to travel from the UK to the EU after Brexit, you should contact your vet at least 4 months before travelling to get the latest advice.

Pet travel if the UK is an unlisted country

A current EU pet passport issued in the UK will not be valid for travel to the EU. You’ll need to take the following steps:

You must have your dog, cat or ferret microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before it can travel. Your pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after its last rabies vaccination (whether that’s a booster or initial vaccination). Your vet may recommend a booster rabies vaccination before this test.

• Your vet must send the blood sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory.
• The results of the blood test must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
• You must wait 3 months from the date the successful blood sample was taken before you can travel.
• The vet must give you a copy of the test results and enter the day the blood sample was taken in an animal health certificate.

You might find that the blood test result is not successful despite your pet being up to date with its rabies vaccinations. If this happens you’ll need a repeat vaccination and another blood test taken at least 30 days after the repeat vaccination.

Dogs travelling from the UK to EU listed tapeworm-free countries (Finland, Republic of Ireland and Malta) must be treated for tapeworm 24 to 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before arriving in one of those countries. You will not be able to travel with your pet if you have not completed these steps.

Get a health certificate

You must also take your pet to an official vet no more than 10 days before travel to get an animal health certificate. You must take proof of:

• your pet’s vaccination history
• your pet’s microchipping date
• a successful rabies antibody blood test result

If you’re travelling with your dog directly to Finland, Republic of Ireland or Malta it must have additional treatment against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis). Your vet must enter full details on the animal health certificate following treatment.

Your pet’s animal health certificate will be valid for:

• 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
• onward travel within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue
• re-entry to the UK for 4 months after the date of issue

On arrival in the EU, pet owners travelling with pets will need to enter through a designated Travellers’ point of entry (TPE).

At the TPE, you may need to present proof of:

• your pet’s microchip
• rabies vaccination
• successful blood test results
• tapeworm treatment (if required)
• your pet’s health certificate

Repeat trips to the EU

Pets do not need a repeat blood test before travelling again if they have:

• had a successful blood test
• an up-to-date subsequent rabies vaccination history
• Your pet will need a new health certificate for each trip to the EU.

To get a new health certificate you must take your pet to an official vet no more than 10 days before you travel. Again, you must show proof of your pet’s:

• microchipping date
• rabies vaccination history
• successful rabies antibody blood test result

Additional rules apply if you’re travelling to Malta, Republic of Ireland or Finland.

Return to the UK

Your pet must have one of the following documents when returning to the UK:

• an EU pet passport (issued in the EU or in the UK prior to Brexit)
• the animal health certificate issued in the UK used to travel to the EU (which you can use up to 4 months after it was issued)
• a UK pet health certificate (for travel into the UK only)

Check the routes before you travel. You must travel using approved routes. Your documents and microchip will be checked when entering England, Scotland or Wales (Great Britain). Different rules apply in Northern Ireland. There will be no change to the current health preparations for pets entering Great Britain from the EU after Brexit.

You do not have to travel on an approved route if you travel to Great Britain from:

• other UK countries
• the Channel Islands
• the Isle of Man
• the Republic of Ireland

Talk to your vet about what preparations you need to make before you travel from these places.

Travel from countries not free from tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis)

You need to take your dog to a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before entering the UK for an approved tapeworm treatment. This requirement will not change after the UK leaves the EU.

You do not need to treat your dog for tapeworm if you’re coming directly to the UK from Finland, Republic of Ireland or Malta.

UK nationals living in the EU

If you’re living in the EU and plan to travel with your pet using a UK-issued pet passport, you should speak to your vet. They’ll help you understand the effect of Brexit and ensure you’re compliant with EU Pet Travel Regulations.

If you have a pet passport issued by an EU member state, you can use it to bring your pet to the UK.

You can also use it to return to the EU, as long as your pet has had a successful rabies antibody blood test. You must make sure the blood sample is taken at least 30 days after the date of rabies vaccination.

If the blood sample is taken in the UK you must wait 3 months from the date the successful blood sample was taken before you travel back to the EU. You do not have to wait the 3 months before travelling if your pet has a successful blood test before leaving the EU.

If the UK becomes a listed third country

Third countries have to apply to the European Commission to be listed under either Part 1 or Part 2 of EU Pet Travel Regulations.

Part 1 listed countries operate under the same EU Pet Travel Scheme rules as EU member states but with a different type of pet passport. Most countries are Part 2 listed, which means there are different requirements for travelling with your pet.

You’ll need to obtain documents from an official vet that will replace the EU pet passport. The type of document you need depends on whether the UK becomes a Part 1 or Part 2 listed country.

Part 1 listed country status

If the UK becomes a Part 1 listed country, you must have your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. You’ll need to make sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date and make sure your dog has tapeworm treatment if needed.

You must also apply for a new document, the UK pet passport. You can use this for travel to the EU for your pet’s lifetime (or until full) as long as your pet’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.

Part 2 listed country status

If the UK becomes a Part 2 listed country, you must have your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. You’ll need to make sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date and make sure your dog has tapeworm treatment if needed.

You must also visit an official vet no more than 10 days before you travel to get an animal health certificate confirming that your pet is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to the EU if the UK becomes a Part 2 listed country. On arrival in the EU, pet owners travelling with pets need to enter through a designated TPE. At the TPE, you may need to present proof of microchip and rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment if required.

Pet travel during an implementation period

If a deal is agreed and an implementation period is confirmed, you can travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport.

If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you’ll have to visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Find an official vet

Speak to your vet to find your nearest official vet. Many veterinary practices will have one in their team.

Pet travel from Northern Ireland

For information on the Pet Travel Scheme in Northern Ireland, read pet travel guidance from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Pet travel helpline

Contact the pet travel helpline if you need more help: Email: pettravel@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 0370 241 1710 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm (closed on bank holidays)