Pet Travel from the UK to Europe: What You Need to Know in 2025

Since Brexit, transporting pets from Great Britain to EU countries has become more complex. Here’s everything you need for a smooth and compliant journey in 2025:

1.  Current Requirements: Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

Since 1 January 2021, GB-issued EU pet passports are no longer accepted for travel to the EU (or Northern Ireland). Instead, you’ll need:

• Microchip: Implanted before or with rabies vaccination
• Rabies vaccination: Minimum 12 weeks old; must wait at least 21 days post-vaccination before travel
• Animal Health Certificate: Issued by an Official Vet (we have 4 here at Kelperland!) within 10 days of departure; each journey requires a separate AHC, valid for a single EU entry and any onward travel within the EU for up to 4 months
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only): Required 1–5 days before entering EU countries that are free from Echinococcus multilocularis (e.g., Ireland, Malta, Finland, Northern Ireland, Norway)

Travellers must enter through a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry in the EU

2. Coming Soon: UK – EU Pet Passport Revival

In May 2025, UK and the EU agreed in principle to reinstate a lifelong EU-style pet passport for British pets. This will simplify travel by eliminating the need for repetitive AHCs—but details and timelines are still pending. We live in hope! This will make travelling with our pets a whole lot easier again

3. Great Britain → Northern Ireland: New Scheme

From 4 June 2025, a simplified, free Pet Travel Document will be available online for GB → Northern Ireland travel, funded by the Windsor Framework.

Requirements:

• Microchip
• Online application
• One document per pet (lifetime valid)
  But note: if travelling beyond Northern Ireland into the Republic or EU, you’ll still need an EU passport/AHC.

This is extremely new – if you are travelling with your pet with NI this summer please contact us with plenty of notice and we can sort this out for you

4. Return to Great Britain

Pets returning from the EU can use the same AHC issued for outbound travel. No extra steps besides tapeworm treatment are required for returning dogs.

5. Timeline: Start Planning Early

Suggested schedule:

1.  4+ months before: Microchip (if needed) and rabies vaccination
2.  3 weeks before: Earliest travel possible after rabies jab
3.  10 days before: Book Official Vet for AHC
4.  1–5 days before travel: Tapeworm treatment for dogs

6. Costs & Hassles

Each AHC currently costs £203.12 here at Kelperland. Tapeworm treatment adds to the expense, and there are normally vet costs on the continental side to sign the paperwork to confirm your pet has had tapeworm treatment before returning to the UK. The upcoming pet passport system will hopefully vastly reduce these ongoing costs in the future.

7.Practice Advice

• Check destination regulations early on—particularly for tapeworm rules.
• Ensure your microchip details and contact info are current.
• Book an Official Vet early
• Keep copies of all documents in your car, carrier, or on your phone.
• If unsure, ask us in advance—we’re happy to guide you through the paperwork.

What’s Next?

• The pet passport’s return is expected later in 2025. We’ll update you as soon as timelines and how-to info are confirmed.
• The NI Pet Travel Document scheme starts 4 June — a welcome simplification for GB to NI travel.

Summary Table

Journey Type Document Needed Validity
GB → EU AHC (per trip), microchip, rabies,
tapeworm for dogs (some countries)

10day issue, valid for 4
months in EU

GB → Northern
Ireland (from June 4)

Free online Pet Travel Document +
microchip Lifetime
EU → GB Same AHC used for outbound trip 4m
Future across GB–EU EU-style pet passport (pending, 2025) Lifelong (vaccine-
dependent)

Final Notes

Travelling with your pet remains possible but requires more care and paperwork. We recommend booking microchipping, vaccinations, and AHC appointments early to avoid last-minute stress.

Let us know if you’d like help with any of these steps. We’re here to ensure your pet’s holiday is safe, compliant, and stress-free!