01525 237444

Pet Travel

A tabby cat in a pet carrier

If you’re planning to travel abroad with your pet, the rules have changed and it’s important to plan ahead.

EU pet passports — important update

As of 22 April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for pets travelling from the UK to the EU if your main residence is in the United Kingdom.

EU pet passports may now only be issued to, and used by, owners whose primary residence is within an EU country. This applies to all EU pet passports, including those issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, and including passports issued before 22 April 2026.

What this means for UK residents

If you’re travelling abroad with your pet from the UK, you can no longer use an EU pet passport. Instead, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip.

Important things to know about AHCs:

  • An AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) — a separate qualification held by authorised vets to complete AHCs.
  • A new AHC is required for each trip outside of the UK.
  • The certificate must be obtained within a specific timeframe before travel, so advance planning is essential.

Can we issue AHCs?

Unfortunately, our practice does not currently issue Animal Health Certificates.

There are a number of veterinary practices and specialist providers in our area that offer this service. We recommend researching options early to find a provider that suits your needs and timeframes.

Rabies vaccinations

We can provide rabies vaccinations for your pet, which are required for travel under the EU/Pet Travel Scheme. A pet must be microchipped before being vaccinated against rabies, and the vaccination must be done a minimum number of days before travel — please check current government guidance for the exact requirements.

If you’d like to discuss rabies vaccination ahead of travel, please contact us to book an appointment.

Where to find more information

For full and up-to-date information on the rules for travelling with your pet, visit:

gov.uk — New EU rules for pet travel for GB residents

We always recommend doing as much research as possible before travelling so you fully understand what your destination country requires.