New EU Pet Rules Add Costs and Paperwork for UK Travellers
Brits planning trips to Europe with pets now face updated rules that change how animals can enter EU countries. Since 22 April, EU pet passports issued in the UK are no longer valid for travel from Great Britain. Pet owners must now obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) before each trip, even if they previously relied on older documentation.
The AHC replaces the former passport system and must be issued for every journey. While the certificate allows onward travel within the EU for up to six months and covers re-entry to the UK, it cannot be reused for future trips. Pet owners also need to ensure that rabies vaccinations remain valid before departure.
Costs have also shifted under the new system. An Animal Health Certificate can cost between £99 and £350, compared with the lower cost of EU pet passports in the past. Rules on the number of animals have changed as well. Travelling by vehicle is now limited to five pets per vehicle, regardless of how many people are travelling together.
What Has Changed for Pet Travel
- EU pet passports from Great Britain no longer valid
- Animal Health Certificate required for each trip
- Certificate valid for six months within the EU
- Maximum of five pets per vehicle
- Costs now higher than previous system
These changes are likely to influence how people organise trips with pets, especially when planning to visit more than one country. People travelling to countries such as France, Spain or Italy may need to allow extra time before they leave to sort out the required documents. Short trips may become less convenient, while longer stays may feel more worthwhile given the effort and cost involved.
The new rules make travelling with pets more restricted than before. Journeys are still possible, but they now involve extra steps and higher costs. Anyone planning to take a pet abroad will need to get documents ready ahead of time, check the entry rules for each country and take the additional expenses into account before deciding to travel.