Owners of pets travelling under PET Passports who travel to Europe from 1st January 2021 should be aware of changes to the scheme. All existing UK pet passports will no longer be valid. This is as a result of the government deciding that the UK will have ‘part2’ listed status for pets travelling to the EU from 1st January 2021.

The PET passport will no longer be valid, instead, an animal health certificate is required within 10 days of travel.  Pets must have had a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before the date of travel, but blood tests are no longer required.

'Instead of the current pet passport, any animal travelling to the EU from the UK will need to be issued with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) by one of our official vets, Robin Creighton or Louise Pickett.

The AHC is only valid for 10 days after the date of issue. For entry into the EU, they cannot be issued to you more than 10 days before you travel. Onward travel is permitted within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue as long as your pet’s rabies vaccine remains valid. You can re-enter the UK for 4 months after the date of issue.

Animals younger than 12 weeks of age are no longer permitted to be exported and that travel is not permitted until 21 days after the rabies vaccination. At this point, they have decided a rabies blood test is not required. '

Certification requires 45-minute appointments with one of our 'LVI' approved vets.  Please bear this in mind when ringing to book an appointment.

For further information visit the DEFRA website click here