Pet travel after Brexit

A Defra press release published on 16 December 2020, the Government announced that the EU had awarded the UK part 2 listed status for pet travel from 1 January 2021. This means new rules now apply for pets travelling to Europe and Northern Ireland.

The Government  has also stated that it would continue to press the European Commission to secure Part 1 listed status, which would allow for similar arrangements for travel as the previous pet passport schemes.

Under part 2 listed states, pet owners  are requred to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for their pet from their vet every time the travel to the EU. The AHC must be produced in the 10 days before travel and is valid for one tirp of up to four months to the EU.  The price charged by vets for an AHC vary but has been estimated at between £100-£150.

Further details of the new requirements and the different options available during the negotiation process are set out in this briefing paper.