Pet owners in Flintshire warned EU passports may not be accepted from Wednesday under new EU travel rules
People living in Great Britain who plan to travel to EU countries with their dogs, cats or ferrets face changed paperwork requirements from Wednesday, with EU pet passports that may already be in their possession potentially no longer valid for entry.
The new rules, announced by the EU and coming into force on 22 April 2026, cover non-commercial travel — so they apply to holidays and personal trips, not commercial pet movements.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency said EU pet passports should now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU.
Passports held by GB residents — including those issued before 22 April 2026 — may no longer be accepted at EU borders.
The agency said GB residents should get an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for any dog, cat or ferret travelling from England, Wales or Scotland to an EU country, even if they already hold an EU pet passport.
AHCs are single-use, meaning a new one is needed for each trip from Great Britain to the EU.
Under the new rules, however, they last longer once travel begins: an AHC can now be used for up to six months for onward travel within the EU and for re-entering Great Britain, as long as the animal’s rabies vaccinations remain valid.
GB residents can still use EU pet passports for the return journey into Great Britain.
The maximum number of pets that can travel in a private vehicle has also changed.
The previous limit of five pets per person has been replaced by a limit of five pets per private vehicle.
The five-per-person limit continues to apply to people travelling on foot.
Exceptions cover pets travelling to competitions, exhibitions or training, provided specific conditions are met.
There is also a new rule covering situations where a pet travels without its owner.
If the owner is not accompanying the animal, the pet must travel within five days of the owner, and the person travelling with it must carry written permission from the owner alongside the animal’s travel documents.
Individual EU member states may have their own additional entry requirements.
The APHA advises pet owners to check the specific rules of their destination country before travelling, as well as the updated guidance on GOV.UK.
An APHA spokesperson said: “From 22 April, new EU rules change how GB residents travel to the EU with their pets, but holidays with your pets are still possible. Anyone planning to travel should check guidance on GOV.UK, and the entry rules for their destination. To avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey, pet owners residing in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate if they’re travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.”
The government’s guidance on taking pets abroad and bringing them back to Great Britain has been updated and is available at gov.uk.
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