Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) comprising The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man is part of the Part 2 designated third country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme since 1 January 2021 which was the date on which Great Britain left the European Union (EU).
This means that the current pet passports are not valid anymore. There are also some changes to travel in Northern Ireland with your pet. Take our advice and be ready.
Going within an EU country, or Northern Ireland
In the event of Great Britain becoming a Part 2 listed third country, any pet passport issued within Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) won’t be valid. Instead, you will require the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for travel in and within in the EU as well as Northern Ireland. A AHC is also required to journeys from UK towards Northern Ireland. The AHC is valid only for a single journey. It is possible to add up to five animals to earn an AHC.
Pets also require:
A microchip
A valid rabies vaccination
Treatment for tapeworms
The same requirements apply to dogs that assist.
Check the regulations of the country you’re traveling to for any additional restrictions or requirements prior to your departure.
Does my existing UK Pet passport still be valid?
The pet passport that you have currently issued from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) is not valid for travel within or within Europe, the EU and Northern Ireland after 31st December 2020.
If you are planning traveling with your animal following the 1st of January in 2021 You will need to discuss with your vet getting an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). It is required to apply for this not more than 10 days prior to your travel date.
What happens if I return to or going to the UK?
You are able to travel and return back to Great Britain with your pet dog, cat or ferret, if:
It has been microchipped
Does the pet have a passport (travel to in the UK just) or health certification (AHC) is issued by the UK (valid for four months following the date of the issue)
Have been vaccinated against rabies It will also require an examination for blood if it comes from a country not listed on the official website.
The passport is an EU passport (issued within the EU or the UK prior to 1st January 2021)
The document is an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in the UK (valid for four months following the date of the issue)
The UK animal health certification (for travel within the UK only)
The dogs must also be treated for tapeworms by veterinarian. The treatment must be approved in the country it is administered and must be administered not less than 24 hours, and no longer than five days prior to entering the UK.
It is not necessary treatment for your pet’s tapeworms in the event that you’re coming to Finland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. There are specific rules for short-term trips, including the treatment prior to depart.
Your pet could be placed in quarantine for a period of up to 4 months if you don’t comply with these rules.
There are additional rules to follow for animals that are to be rehomed or sold or rehomed in Great Britain. You can find out more on the website of the government.
What do I have to do?
If you plan to traveling with your pet, you should be aware of the requirements for the future and make a plan for the future. Take note of these points:
The criteria are for Part 2 listed third country:
Your cat, dog or ferret needs to be microchipped.
Your pet should be older than 12 weeks old.
Your pet should be vaccinated against the rabies virus (your pet should have a minimum age of 12 weeks age in order to get the vaccination).
An AHC can be obtained by your veterinarian three weeks after your initial Rabies vaccination.
An AHC is valid only to travel into Europe, the EU as well as Northern Ireland for 10 days following the date it was issued.
An AHC is only issued by an official vet (OV). Every clinic has access to an official vet. Please contact us to make arrangements as long as you can in advance so that we can ensure that an OV is in place.
You’ll require a new AHC for every trip you travel on, unlike a pet passport , the AHC isn’t valid for multiple purposes.
Once you’ve arrived in within the EU and/or Northern Ireland, the AHC is valid for a period of 4 months (after expiry date) the issue) and allows you to travel between EU member countries (not in the UK) within the same travel. The AHC is then valid to enter back to the UK.
Ferrets are able to catch and transmit new COVID-19 variants. In the event that you transport a ferret into England from outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man it is recommended to be sure to keep it from other ferrets as well as other animals within your household for 21 days.
The above steps suggest that you must begin preparing at least three weeks prior to the date your departure. If you can, we suggest a longer time to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
The animal health certificate for your pet is valid until the date it is issued:
10 days to enter Northern Ireland or the EU (or Northern Ireland
4 months to travel onwards within the EU
4 months to re-enter Great Britain
If you have any questions, please contact the local vet clinic, and they’ll be able advise you on the steps you must take and schedule appointments to ensure your travel plans won’t be disrupted.
How else will I have to be aware of?
The AHC must be present for go to Northern Ireland. There was previously no requirement to carry a pet passport while traveling in Northern Ireland – this changes on January 1st, 2021.
There’s no requirement to have a blood test post the Rabies vaccination. However, the fact you require an AHC for every trip implies that you must keep your rabies vaccines up to date. If you lose your rabies vaccine then you’ll need restart the process and wait 21 days before receiving the AHC.
If you’re travelling and have more than five pets, different rules apply. It is recommended to talk to your vet.
Certain EU countries may require that your pet to undergo an treatment for tapeworms. This could include Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway. Consult your veterinarian and always make sure to check before you travel.