Pet passport rules clarified for Great Britain residents travelling to France and EU

EU passports should not be used by people who are not ‘habitual’ residents in France, a new regulation has clarified.

The agriculture ministry told The Connexion: “The regulations that came into force on April 22 have restated explicitly who can be given an EU pet passport. 

This follows on from irregularities aiming to get around the health rules applicable to pets coming from third [non-EU] countries.

“In effect, historically, the putting in place of the passport […] aimed notably at facilitating private transport of dogs, cats and ferrets between member states, with it being understood that this was only for animals owned in the member state where their owner lived habitually and had their main home.”

It said non-residents should not ask for them and French vets should enquire whether pet owners are habitual/main residents.

The ministry noted that registration with the I-CAD pet database should be done in all cases where a pet is staying more than three months. However, while this registration is required for a pet passport, it does not give an automatic right to one.

France did not comment specifically on the question of pet passports issued to non-residents prior to April 22. 

Britain - not Northern Ireland

However, the European Commission told us it makes no difference when a passport was issued. 

In its view, since January 1, 2021 (Brexit), pets travelling with owners living in Great Britain should have had Animal Health Certificates issued by a UK vet when coming to the EU, “therefore the rules apply both to previously issued pet passports held by residents of the UK and new pet passports”.

There are no “transitional arrangements” with regard to this issue.

The commission said enforcement would be a matter for EU member state authorities, which organise checks on compliance with pet travel regulations by, for example, veterinary and/or customs services.

We pointed out that in the past we were aware of no explicit EU law against use by second-home owners – if a pet’s rabies jabs were administered by EU vets. The commission’s press service replied that the rule existed already, but the “new rules further clarified the situation”.

Official UK websites have been updated, stating: “If you live in England, Scotland or Wales you should not use a pet passport (even if it was issued in the EU). If you use a pet passport, your pet may be refused entry into the EU.”

Reports differ as to how transport operators are dealing with this, with some, such as P&O, stating they will ask about main/principal residency, while others, including Eurotunnel and Brittany Ferries, were initially telling passengers that existing EU pet passports were still being accepted. Eurotunnel later put wording on its website saying EU pet passports are no longer valid for non-EU residents travelling from Great Britain.

Animal Health Certificates cost

Animal Health Certificates issued by UK vets cost anything from £100 to £400 for one trip, whereas French EU pet passports are about €15 and are valid for multiple trips as long as rabies vaccinations are up to date.

However, they are now being issued with six-month validity, which should avoid some second-home owners having to also obtain a certificate from a French vet to return to the UK (UK AHCs were formerly valid for four months).

It is hoped the UK may be able to issue pet passports accepted by the EU again in due course, but this is not expected until after a joint agreement on plant and animal health rules has been finalised (the UK hopes for this in mid-2027).

The rules on who may use EU pet passports do not relate to nationality, only where the pet owner lives. EU pet passports can still be issued by Northern Ireland, due to its special post-Brexit rules. French EU pet passports can still be used by French residents returning home from a trip to the UK.

Other new rules include:

• A limit of five pets per vehicle (eg. on ferries), with exceptions for certain situations such as travelling to dog shows’;

• If someone else travels with your pet, the pet must travel within five days of its owner and the other person must carry your written permission;

• New pet passports must show a code indicating the pet’s country of origin;

• There is also a new format for Animal Health Certificates for travel into the EU.