Taking Your Dog or Cat from the UK to the EU in 2026: AHC Rules After the April Changes

Who this guide is for

Pet dogs, cats and ferrets of owners living in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), travelling to an EU country. Northern Ireland residents follow different rules.

What changed on 22 April 2026

GB residents should no longer use EU pet passports to enter the EU.
EU pet passports are only issued to people whose main home is in the EU.
An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is still needed for each trip.
An AHC now works for 6 months for onward EU travel and for returning to GB, while the rabies vaccine stays valid.
Someone else can travel with your pet within 5 days of you, with your signed permission.
Maximum 5 pets per private vehicle. Up to 5 pets as a foot passenger.

Key rules

Microchip before, or on the same day as, the rabies vaccine.
The pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the rabies vaccine.
Wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccine. Day 1 is the day after the vaccine.
No wait after a booster if there was no gap in cover.
An Official Veterinarian (OV) issues the AHC.
Up to 5 pets on one AHC.
Enter the EU within 10 days of the AHC issue date. Day 1 is the issue date.
The AHC is valid 6 months for onward EU travel and 6 months for re-entry to GB.
If the rabies vaccine expires during the trip, the AHC cannot be used for onward travel or re-entry.
You sign a declaration that you will not sell or rehome the pet.
Dogs need tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway.
Dogs need tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before returning to GB from most countries.
Each EU country may add its own rules. Check the destination.

Timeline (work back from your EU arrival date)

When	What to do
At least 21 days before the AHC appointment (longer if your vaccine requires it)	Microchip and rabies vaccine, if not already valid.
3 to 4 weeks before travel	Book an Official Veterinarian appointment for the AHC.
10 days or less before EU arrival	OV issues the AHC. Enter the EU by day 10.
5 days (120 hours) to 1 day (24 hours) before arriving in Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway	Dogs only. Tapeworm treatment.
Up to 6 months after EU entry	Travel within the EU on the same AHC, while the rabies vaccine is valid.
5 days (120 hours) to 1 day (24 hours) before returning to GB	Dogs only. Tapeworm treatment from a vet abroad (not needed from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway).
Short trips (back within 5 days)	You can give the tapeworm treatment in GB before you leave. Return between 24 and 120 hours after it.
Within 28 days after returning	GOV.UK recommends treating your dog again.

Common mistakes

Using an old EU pet passport to enter the EU as a GB resident.

Getting the AHC more than 10 days before arrival.

Forgetting the return tapeworm treatment for GB.

Letting the rabies vaccine expire mid-trip.

Using a vet who is not an Official Veterinarian.

Getting there: train, ferry, airlines

Checked 29 Oct 2026 on each operator's own page. Confirm when booking.

Eurotunnel LeShuttle (Folkestone–Calais): dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, rabies vaccine and an AHC or EU pet passport. Check in at Pet Reception at least 90 minutes before departure. Maximum 5 pets per vehicle from Folkestone to Calais. Dogs returning Calais to Folkestone need tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days before travel.
British Airways: no pets in the cabin on any route. Pets leaving the UK fly in the hold, arranged through PetAir UK.
KLM: pets may travel from the UK. The UK embargo only stops pets flying to the UK as passenger baggage. Cabin: 1 cat or dog, bag up to 46 x 28 x 24 cm, maximum 8 kg with the bag. Hold: pet and kennel up to 75 kg. Fee EUR 70 to 500 one way. Book at least 48 hours ahead.
Iberia: no pets in the cabin on flights to London Heathrow, Manchester or Edinburgh. London Gatwick allows no cabin pets at all. No pets in the hold to or from any UK airport. Pets can go as cargo through a cargo agent and IAG Cargo.
Lufthansa: may refuse pet bookings on some routes, for example to the UK or Ireland.
Ferry operators: not yet covered. Check your ferry company's pet policy. Unverified / not covered

Unverified / not covered Not covered on this page yet: Air France fees and snub-nosed list, ITA hold rules, Virgin Atlantic cargo, ferries. Ask the carrier directly before you book.

Breeds

Some EU countries restrict certain dog breeds. See the country pages (for example France and Germany in the US to EU hub).
France bans Category 1 dogs (pit-bull, boerbull and Tosa types without a pedigree), even in transit (service-public.gouv.fr).
Germany bans Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier and their crosses. Visitors staying 4 weeks or less are exempt (zoll.de).
Other EU countries: check the destination country before booking.

Pending: UK multi-use pet passport

The UK and EU are negotiating an animal and plant health (SPS) agreement.
Under it, GB owners would get a multi-use pet passport for EU travel.
The UK government aims to conclude talks before the 20 Nov 2026 UK–EU Summit.
It intends the agreement to take effect in mid-2027, subject to negotiations.
No start date for the pet passport is confirmed.
Update this section after 20 Nov 2026.

Questions people ask

I live in England and have an EU pet passport. Can I use it to enter the EU?

No. GB residents cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU, even one issued in the EU. Get an Animal Health Certificate.

Can I use my EU pet passport to come back to GB?

Yes. GOV.UK says GB residents can still use an EU pet passport for the return journey to GB.

How long is an Animal Health Certificate valid?

10 days to enter the EU. Then 6 months for onward EU travel and 6 months to return to GB, while the rabies vaccine is valid.

Do I need a new AHC for every trip?

Yes. You need a new AHC for each separate trip from GB to the EU.

Who can issue an AHC?

An Official Veterinarian (OV). Ask your vet if they can, or to help you find one.

Does my dog need tapeworm treatment?

For Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, yes. Also for returning to GB from most countries. Give it 24 to 120 hours before arrival.

Can a friend take my dog to the EU for me?

Yes, within 5 days of your own trip, with a signed declaration naming them.

How many pets can I take?

Up to 5 pets per private vehicle, or 5 as a foot passenger. More only for competitions or events.

Can I take my dog through the Channel Tunnel?

Yes, with LeShuttle. Your pet needs a microchip, rabies vaccine and an AHC. Check in at Pet Reception at least 90 minutes before departure.

When will the UK pet passport come back?

Not confirmed. The UK aims to conclude talks before 20 Nov 2026 and intends the agreement to apply from mid-2027.

Guide checked: 29 October 2026

Related guides

US to UK with a pet

Official sources (checked 29 Oct 2026)

Last checked 29 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK (APHA/Defra) and the European Commission. UK pet passport status: in negotiation, no start date. We will update this page after the 20 Nov 2026 UK–EU Summit.