Major EU travel rule change - all you need to know about new pet passport controls

Major EU travel rule change - all you need to know about new pet passport controlsBritish tourists have been warned that beloved dogs, cats and ferrets could be turned away at the border as new post-Brexit rules make EU passports invalid - here's what you need to knowCommentsNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter21:25, 21 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesA huge change to rules around bringing your pets to the EU comes into force tomorrow (Image: Getty Images)New EU rules could see beloved pets turned away at the border from tomorrow - and there'll be big changes to what you need to do before taking four-legged friends on holiday.‌Anyone travelling into the European Union with pet dogs, cats and ferrets from England, Scotland or Wales can no longer use EU pet passports under post-Brexit arrangements which come in to force on Wednesday.‌Until now, people taking their pets abroad - whether by plane, train, ferry or car - could use an EU Pet Passport, even after Brexit.‌But EU Regulation 2016/429, known as the Animal Health Law, comes into force this week after a 10-year transition, and means these pet passports will no longer be valid.Instead, there's a different document you'll need to get sorted before you go on holiday. Here's what you need to know:View 3 ImagesNew EU pet passport rules come into force on Wednesday(Image: Getty Images/Dorling Kindersley)‌READ MORE: Foreign Office issues Greece travel update as holiday hotspot suspends EU ruleREAD MORE: Major EU travel rule change from Wednesday could see UK travellers denied entryYou now need an animal health certificate for every tripThe changes mean that anyone travelling from Great Britain to an EU country with a pet will now need to get an animal health certificate (AHC) before they set off.Travellers will need to get a vet to issue an AHC within 10 days of their trip. A new certificate will be needed for each trip from Britain to the EU.The AHC can be used for up to six months for onward travel w...