By Ahmed Abdelsalam
The UK and European Union have reached a draft sanitary and phytosanitary agreement that would allow British pet owners to travel to the EU with a pet passport for the first time since Brexit. The 200-page text, expected to be signed this month, covers dogs, cats and ferrets.
End of Animal Health Certificates
Since 2021, UK pet owners have needed an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of each trip, costing around £200 per journey. The previous pet passport, valid for life after rabies vaccination and microchipping, cost about £100.
Agreement details
The draft agreement will be presented to EU ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday and is slated for ratification at the EU-UK summit on 20 November. If approved, pet passports issued in Great Britain would again be accepted for entry into the EU and Northern Ireland.
Tapeworm treatment still required
Dogs travelling to Ireland, Malta, Norway, Finland or returning to the UK must still receive tapeworm treatment between one and five days before travel.
Second-home loophole closed
In April, the EU tightened rules to prevent British residents with second homes in countries such as France, Spain and Italy from obtaining EU pet passports. The new law states passports are not intended for owners whose main residence is outside the Union.
