Transport providers and officials are giving mixed messages about the impacts of new rules – in force from today – concerning use of EU pet passports by people whose main home is in the UK.
Here we pass on what we have learnt from the UK government as well as Eurotunnel and ferry companies. Eurostar does not allow pets and airlines that allow pets typically require them to travel in the hold, making this a less popular option.
The new rules, from an EU regulation, were originally flagged up in a briefing note by the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which told British vets: “An EU pet passport, issued to or held by a pet owner who is resident in Great Britain, will no longer be a valid document for travelling with pets from GB to the EU.
“This applies to EU pet passports issued in an EU member state or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22 April 2026.”
The note referred to Great Britain, because Northern Ireland can still issue EU pet passports to people who are residents there.
As we explain here, there has in the past been a grey area with regard to pet passports issued by vets in EU countries such as France to people who have second homes in these countries but who live elsewhere (such as in the UK).
While EU pet passports were created to ease travel of pets between EU countries, many UK-based owners of French second homes have made use of French pet passports, a simpler, cheaper option than obtaining an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a UK official veterinarian for each trip.
Post-Brexit, the UK (apart from Northern Ireland) cannot issue pet passports recognised by the EU, though this may change as the UK seeks closer alignment with the EU.
The new rules relate to where the pet owner has their main home and lives habitually and their nationality is not relevant.
However, with the EU’s new digital borders system, EES, now in place for most UK-France short trips by people who are non-EU/non-EEA/non-Swiss nationals, it is possible those concerned by EES may face closer scrutiny, as registration in EES implies a person is not a full time EU resident.
An otherwise valid and up-to-date EU pet passport held by a UK resident can still be used for entry to the UK, as the tightened rules relate only to trips from Great Britain to the EU.
For UK-based pet owners taking their pet to France with an AHC, this can also be used to bring it home again, however, in the past these were only valid for four months, meaning an owner should have obtained a similar document from a French vet for the return trip.
This has now changed as the UK government told us today AHCs will now be issued with six-months validity.
Two areas of uncertainty remain. Firstly, several readers ask if the EU will in principle waive the rules for passports issued prior to today’s rule change.
We have read the regulations and consider that this is not clearly stated to be the case and it is also ruled out by the APHA note. We are awaiting clarification from the European Commission.
Secondly, it is not certain that the rule on place of residence will always be double checked by transport providers or border officials where a traveller holds an up-to-date EU pet passport.
What does the UK government say?
The British Embassy in Paris passed on the following statement:
“GB residents should no longer use EU pet passports to travel into the EU.
“EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally.
“EU pet passports issued to GB residents before 22 April 2026 may no longer be valid documents for entry to the EU.
“This means GB residents – even if they already have an EU pet passport – may need a different document to take their pet to the EU.
“To guarantee smooth travel, owners resident in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country.”
The UK government also flags up a new limit of five pets per vehicle, rather than five pets per person as before (exceptions exist, such as pets travelling to competitions).
It also clarifies that if someone else travels with your pet instead of you, the pet must travel within five days of the owner and the other person must carry written permission from you.
Official UK websites have been updated, including a page about Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad, which now states: “ 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.”
P&O Ferries
In response to our queries to the Port of Dover, P&O Ferries said it is telling its customers the following:
“From today, there’s an important update to pet travel rules for customers travelling from Great Britain to the EU with a pet dog, cat or ferret.
“Following a recent change in legislation, EU-issued pet passports are no longer valid for Great Britain residents, regardless of when or where they were issued.
“We understand this change may be frustrating, particularly if you’ve previously relied on a pet passport.
“If you are travelling with your pet, you must now obtain an AHC from an official vet for each trip to the EU. The AHC must be issued within 10 days of travel, and your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination before the certificate can be provided. There are no changes to GB entry requirements.
“Please ensure you have the correct documentation before arriving at the port, as pets without a valid AHC may be refused travel. For more information, please see the government website, or contact your vet in advance of travel.”
P&O also told the Port of Dover that, while they do not know if the French police aux frontières [which carries out border checks on UK soil at Dover for outbound travellers] will be checking on this, P&O checks all documentation is valid before boarding.
“The grey area is going to be if the customer claims their main residence is in the EU, as we have no way of checking,” the firm told The Port of Dover.
Brittany Ferries
A reader set to travel on April 30 with two dogs passed on this text received from the company: “Following the recent APHA update regarding changes to pet passports, please rest assured that for the time being, EU pet passports held by British residents remain valid, boarding will not be denied to UK residents who present an EU pet passport.
“Therefore, there is no impact to your imminent sailing. However, since the duration of this exemption is uncertain, it will be necessary to obtain an animal health certificate for future sailings.”
Another reader passed on the same message, received by email.
Eurotunnel
We have asked Eurotunnel for its official position, but have received reports from several readers of comments received from the firm.
One showed an email from LeShuttle customer services, which stated: “I’m happy to reassure you on this matter.
“Any existing EU pet passport will continue to be accepted by LeShuttle. As long as all required information has been correctly completed, and your pet complies with the rules for pet travel, your pet will be able to travel with us as planned without any issues.
“The recent rule changes mainly relate to the role of EU-based veterinarians in issuing new EU pet passports going forward, rather than affecting passports that have already been issued.”
Another reader, set to travel with his two dogs on April 26, said: “I enquired about the changes and was told… that current pet passports will be OK, but when they are full and need renewal, a new one will not be issued unless to a French resident who can show documentary evidence of residency.”
Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries merely pointed us towards information on pet travel at this link, however there are no clear new rules stated regarding EU pet passport holders who live in GB.
