New travel rules coming into force on Wednesday the 22nd of April are expected to impact thousands of travellers crossing the Channel, changing how owners are able to take their pets.
At the centre of the change is a crackdown on the use of EU pet passports by UK residents, with new regulations tightening enforcement and removing a popular workaround.
What the new rules mean
From this week, EU pet passports will no longer be valid for UK residents travelling to EU countries, closing a loophole that had allowed some owners to continue using documents obtained in Europe.
"An EU pet passport, issued to or held by a pet owner who is resident in GB, will no longer be a valid document for travelling with pets from GB to the EU. This applies to EU pet passports issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22 April 2026. EU pet passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union" clarified a spokesperson for the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Why the changes are happening
The update stems from new EU-wide rules governing pet travel from non-EU countries, including the UK. Officials have clarified that EU pet passports are intended only for residents, prompting stricter enforcement at borders.
UK-based pet owners will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a vet for each trip. These certificates are single-use and must be issued shortly before travel, adding extra cost and planning requirements.
