Pet Passport Update: The Latest on the UK–EU Deal and What Travellers Need to Know

A new report says a draft UK–EU agreement covering pet passports is due to go before EU ambassadors ahead of the 20 November summit. What does that mean for pet owners—and how could the proposed passport compare with the certificate travellers need today?

What’s the latest?

The UK and EU are negotiating a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, known as an SPS agreement. It covers rules for the movement of animals, plants and food between the two sides.

The Independent reported on 4 November that a draft SPS agreement, said to run to around 200 pages, was due to be presented to EU ambassadors that day, with ratification expected at the UK–EU summit on 20 November 2026. The Government has separately confirmed that it aims to conclude negotiations before the summit and that the agreement is intended to let pet owners use a multi-use passport for EU travel.

That is progress, but 20 November is not a confirmed start date for the passports. The Government’s published guidance says it intends the wider SPS agreement to take effect in mid-2027, subject to negotiations. That is the broad timeframe for the agreement, not a guaranteed passport launch date.

The passport’s price, validity period, application process and issuing arrangements have not been announced. Owners should not assume the new system will work exactly like the pre-Brexit one.

AHC or proposed passport: what could change?

	Current Animal Health Certificate (AHC)	Proposed multi-use pet passport
How often you need one	A new AHC is needed for each separate trip from Great Britain to the EU.	The Government says owners should be able to use one passport for multiple EU trips.
When it must be issued	Within 10 days before entering the EU.	The issue process and timing have not been announced.
How long it can be used	After entry, it can cover onward EU travel and re-entry to Great Britain for up to six months, provided the rabies vaccination remains valid. A new AHC is needed for the next separate trip from Great Britain.	The passport’s validity period and renewal rules have not been confirmed.
Likely effect on travellers	Repeat travellers need to arrange a new certificate and veterinary appointment for every trip.	It is intended to remove the need for a fresh AHC each time, which could mean less paperwork and fewer vet appointments for regular travellers.
Cost	Vet fees vary. The Government does not set AHC prices.	The passport price and any ongoing costs have not been announced.

The main expected benefit is convenience for people who travel to the EU with their pets regularly. A multi-use passport should mean they no longer need a new AHC for every separate trip. It may also reduce repeat certificate costs, but the passport’s price and any renewal or vaccination charges are still unknown.

The full requirements have not been announced, so owners should not assume that microchipping, rabies vaccination or destination-specific rules will change.

What did the old system offer?

Before Brexit, pet passports allowed eligible pets to travel between the UK and EU without a new travel certificate for every trip. The Independent reports that they typically cost around £100 and could remain in use for the pet’s lifetime, provided its rabies vaccination was kept up to date. The new passport’s price and validity have not been announced.

An AHC can cost anywhere from £80 - £200. Actual fees vary between veterinary practices: the Government says it does not set or cap these charges.

The rules for travelling from Great Britain today

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you currently need an AHC to take a dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain to an EU country. You need a new AHC for each separate trip.

Your pet must be microchipped before, or at the same time as, its rabies vaccination. After a first rabies vaccination, you generally need to wait at least 21 full days before travelling. The AHC must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU. Once you have entered, it can be used for onward EU travel and for re-entry to Great Britain for up to six months, provided the rabies vaccination remains valid. Your vet will also give you a declaration to sign confirming that you will not sell or rehome the pet while abroad.

An EU pet passport cannot currently be used by a resident of Great Britain to enter the EU, even if it was issued in an EU country. Northern Ireland has different arrangements: residents there can still use an EU pet passport for EU travel.

EU rule changes introduced in April 2026

New EU rules took effect on 22 April 2026. EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main residence is in the EU. An EU passport already held by someone living in Great Britain may no longer be accepted for entry to the EU, so the UK Government advises Great Britain residents to travel with an AHC. EU pet passports can still be used for the return journey to Great Britain, subject to the entry rules.

The EU also introduced a limit of five pets per private vehicle for non-commercial travel, with exceptions for qualifying events or training. If someone else travels with your pet, additional paperwork may be required, and the pet’s journey generally needs to be within five days of yours.

Don’t forget tapeworm treatment for dogs

Some destinations require dogs to have tapeworm treatment before arrival. A vet must give the treatment between 24 hours and five days before arrival and record it in the pet’s travel document. This applies to travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and, in most circumstances, Northern Ireland.

Dogs returning to Great Britain from most countries also need tapeworm treatment within the same 24-hour to five-day window. There are exceptions, including travel from Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland. Check the rules for both your destination and your return journey before setting off.

What should pet owners do now?

For now, Great Britain residents should continue to arrange an AHC for each trip to the EU and follow the current microchip, rabies vaccination and tapeworm rules. Do not rely on an EU pet passport for entry from Great Britain unless official guidance changes.

The proposed multi-use passports could make repeat trips easier and reduce the need for a fresh AHC each time. However, the passport scheme’s launch date, cost, validity and application process have not yet been confirmed.

This article reflects information available on 6 November 2026. Check the latest GOV.UK guidance before travelling, as requirements and timings may change.