EXPLAINED: RULES OF TRAVELING FROM UK TO EU WITH A PET AFTER DECEMBER 31

With less than two months left, until the United Kingdom officially becomes a third-country to the EU, and its citizens no longer enjoy the same rights when travelling to EU as they have so far, many things remain undecided and unclear for Britons.

In particular, those whose lives remain tightly linked to the EU have still many questions marks regarding their rights and obligations after December 31.

Among the things that will totally change, is travelling to the European Union from the UK with a pet, or more.

Pet owners have been asking on the possible changes they may experience on trips to EU post-Brexit, but a definite explanation to this issue does not exist yet, as it is one of the things that depend on the final exit agreement, if there will be one.

How Does the EU Regulate Travelling With a Pet?

The EU has its own rules for every type of travel to the EU, including travelling with pets. Its authorities classify people travelling to EU with pets in three lists, according to which they set the rules and conditions of entry for nationals of each non-EU countries.

In order to qualify for the first two lists, a country must meet some requirements and apply to be listed. The United Kingdom has already submitted its application to be listed to the European Commission.

Thus, the requirements for travelling to the EU with a pet depend on the category that the UK is placed on.

“To make sure your pet is able to travel from Great Britain to the EU from January 1, 2021, you should contact your vet at least four months before travelling to get the latest advice,” the UK government advises on guidance published regarding these changes.

Part 1 Listed

In this list are included only the following non-EU countries: Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City State.

They operate under the same pet travel rules as the EU member states.

If the UK falls under this list, nothing will change for pet owners travelling to the block, except that starting from January 1, EU pet passports will no longer be valid for travel to the EU. Pet owners will need to obtain new UK pet passports for their dog, cat or ferret.

Part 2 Listed

Part of this list are countries as Australia, Belarus, Canada, Russia, UAE, etc. The nationals of these countries will need to meet additional conditions, such as the use of temporary health certificates, in order to be able to take their pet with them on a trip to the EU.

The same will apply to the UK if it falls under this list.

Unlisted

Here are grouped the rest of the world countries which do not qualify to become part of the two lists above. If the UK is ‘unlisted’, which is highly unlikely, every pet must meet some requirements in order to be eligible to accompany its owner on a trip to the EU.

These rules and requirements are as follows:

• Only dogs, cats and ferrets are permitted for trips to EU.
• They (dogs, cats and ferrets) must be microchipped.
• The pet must be vaccinated against rabies – your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated.
• You must test your pet for Rabies Antibodies, at least 30 days after the vaccination. You must wait three months after the successful antibodies test before you travel
• You must hold a copy of the test results and enter the day the blood sample was taken in an animal health certificate.

If the antibodies test result is not successful, you’ll need to repeat the vaccination and the test.

Note that in case you will be travelling Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Malta or Norway, your pet must have treatment against tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) one to five days before you enter any of these countries.

Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for Pet Travel to EU

In order to be able to travel to the EU with a pet, you must obtain an AHC, which is an Animal Health Certificate. It can only be obtained at an Official Veterinarian who is qualified and authorized to do so.

Take your pet to your vet at most ten days before your trip, to bet an AHC. You will need proof of the following:

• pet’s microchipping date
• pet’s vaccination history
• successful results of a rabies antibody blood test

The AHC will be valid for ten days after the date of issue for entry into the EU, onward travel within the EU for four months after the date of issue, and re-entry to Great Britain for four months after the date of issuance.

A new AHC will be needed for every trip to the EU.

Procedures for Entering the EU With a Pet

The EU has designated travellers’ point of entry (TPE) for those reaching the block with a pet. All pet owners should approach these points of entry and present their pet’s original AHC along with proof of pet’s microchip, rabies vaccination, successful blood test results, as well as tapeworm treatment if required.