The new ‘Brexit reset’ deal between the UK and the EU is expected to make it easier for pets and their owners to travel, putting an end to the current administrative hassle.
Before the Brexit changed everything, travelling between the United Kingdom and the European Union with a pet was about as easy as travelling without one. Pet owners needed a simple pet passport, allowing them to stamp their furry friends in and out.
What are the current rules?
However, Brexit made things quite a bit more difficult for those travelling with a cat, dog or other animal.
Firstly, pets need to be microchipped before being able to travel and once the animal is over 12 weeks old, a rabies vaccination is obligatory. Three weeks after the rabies vaccination, pet owners need to obtain a so-called EU animal health certificate (AHC) from a veterinarian. This certificate confirms the microchipping and the vaccination.
The AHC must be issued within 10 days of entry to the EU or Northern Ireland and comes at a price of around £200 per certificate. Every journey requires a new certificate and the he maximum validity for re-entry to the UK is four months. When re-entering, this must be done at a recognised point of entry, where officials will stamp the paperwork.
Moreover, a tapeworm treatment is needed for dogs, which must be given between one and five days before entering the European Union or Northern Ireland. The treatment must be administered by a vet and registered in the animal health certificate or a pet passport.
Travellers must also fill out a declaration stating they won’t be selling their pet or transferring their ownership while abroad. Other rules apply when a sale is scheduled or when your pet arrives or departs five days prior or later than you do. Travelling with more than five pets at a time is only allowed under certain circumstances.
To ensure you have a smooth return to Great Britain, please make sure your pet has all the following:
— DFDS Live Travel Updates (@DFDSLiveUpdates) May 25, 2025
For more info please go to https://t.co/8jyklpdCis pic.twitter.com/nYmyY4jZl3
What will change?
As the Brexit reset has been signed, pet travel rules are expected to change. However, as the pet passports fall under the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement of the deal, little is known yet about the specifics and when they will apply. UK pet passports should regain a similar status to EU documents, which would mean travelling with a pet should once again become (almost) as easy as before the Brexit.
