Can I still use a pet passport to travel to Europe?

No, if it was issued in the UK. Since 1 January 2021 (Brexit), UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel to the EU. You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). However, if your pet passport was issued in an EU country, it is still valid for travel within and between EU countries.

How much does an Animal Health Certificate cost?

An Animal Health Certificate typically costs between £100 and £250 depending on your vet practice. Unlike the old pet passport, you need a new AHC for every trip from the UK to the EU. This makes regular travel significantly more expensive than before Brexit.

How long is an Animal Health Certificate valid for?

An AHC is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into the EU. Once in the EU, it allows onward travel between EU member states for up to 4 months from the date of the rabies vaccination. For the return journey to the UK, the AHC is valid as long as the rabies vaccination remains current.

What is the difference between a pet passport and an AHC?

The main differences are: (1) A pet passport was a reusable document lasting the pet's lifetime; an AHC is single-use per trip. (2) A pet passport cost £50-80 one-off; an AHC costs £100-250 per trip. (3) A pet passport could be issued by any vet; an AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). (4) A pet passport needed to be issued once; an AHC must be obtained within 10 days of every trip.

Updated March 2026

Pet Passport vs Animal
Health Certificate

The old pet passport system vs the new AHC. What changed, what it costs, and what you need to know in 2026.

	Pet Passport (Pre-Brexit)	AHC (Post-Brexit)
Cost	£50-80 (one-off)	£100-250 (per trip)
Validity	Lifetime of the pet	10 days (entry) / 4 months (travel)
Reusable?	Yes	No (new each trip)
Who issues it?	Any vet	Official Veterinarian (OV) only
Timing	Any time before travel	Within 10 days of travel
Applies to	Dogs, cats, ferrets	Dogs, cats, ferrets
Cost for 3 trips/year	£50-80 total	£300-750 total

What Happened to Pet Passports?

The EU Pet Passport scheme allowed dogs, cats, and ferrets to travel freely between EU member states (and some listed third countries like the UK) with a simple, reusable document. It was introduced in 2004 and was widely regarded as one of the great conveniences of EU membership for pet owners.

When the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020, with the transition period ending on 31 December 2020, the UK was reclassified as a "Part 2 listed third country." This meant UK-issued pet passports were no longer recognised by the EU from 1 January 2021.

If you already have a UK-issued pet passport, it can still be used as a vaccination record — but it is not accepted as a travel document for EU entry. You must now get an AHC for every trip.

How the AHC Process Works

Step 1: Ensure your pet is microchipped (ISO standard) and has a valid rabies vaccination that was given at least 21 days before travel.

Step 2: Within 10 days of your departure date, visit an Official Veterinarian (OV). Not all vets are OVs — you can find one through the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) or ask your regular vet for a referral.

Step 3: The OV will examine your pet, verify the microchip, check the rabies vaccination is valid, and issue the AHC. This appointment typically takes 20-30 minutes.

Step 4: Travel with the original AHC document. You may be asked to present it at the border or port. Keep it safe throughout your trip — you will need it for the return journey too.

Booking tip: OV appointments can book up quickly during peak holiday seasons (especially summer and Christmas). Book your appointment as early as possible — ideally 2-3 weeks before travel, for an appointment date within the 10-day window.

The Cost Impact of Brexit on Pet Travel

The financial impact is significant for frequent travellers. Here is a comparison for a pet owner making 2 trips to Europe per year:

Before Brexit (per year)

£50-80

One-off passport cost

After Brexit (per year)

£200-500

2 x AHC @ £100-250 each

Over a pet's lifetime (say 12-15 years), a regular traveller could spend £2,400 to £7,500 on AHCs alone — compared to the £50-80 that the pet passport used to cost.

EU-Issued Pet Passports Still Work

If your pet's passport was issued in an EU member state (e.g. France, Spain, Ireland), it is still valid for travel between EU countries. The Brexit change only affects UK-issued passports.

Some UK pet owners who adopted their pet from an EU country may still have an EU-issued passport. If so, you can still use it for EU travel, provided the vaccinations recorded in it are up to date.

However, for travel from the UK to the EU, you still need an AHC — even if your pet has an EU-issued passport. The AHC is about proving the pet is travelling from a "third country" (the UK) into the EU.