Brexit: What will happen to pet passports after transition ends?
- Published
When the UK was a European Union (EU) member you were able to take your dog or cat from the UK to the EU and back again without them having to go into quarantine, provided that certain conditions - such as having a pet passport and getting them microchipped - were met.
That will continue to be the case for the rest of 2020 while the UK is in a transition period with the EU.
From 1 January 2021, however, pet passports will no longer be valid. This was confirmed by the European Commission after the future EU-UK deal was announced.
Will I be able to take my pet to the EU next year?
You will still be able to take your pet from England, Scotland and Wales to the EU, but you will need to follow a different procedure.
The EU has agreed that Great Britain should be given "part two listed" status, allowing pets to travel within its borders providing the owners obtain an animal health certificate (AHC).
This decision is separate to the wider deal between the EU and the UK on trade and their future relationship, announced on 24 December.
The AHC confirms that your pet is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
You will need to get a new certificate each time you travel with your pet and you must obtain it 10 days before you travel. The document is valid for four months, for a single trip into the EU, onward travel within the EU and for re-entry to Great Britain.
The certificate will be issued by your vet and this process will begin on 22 December.
On arrival to the EU, you will need to enter through a designated travellers' point of entry, listed on the EU website here.
The rules apply to guide dogs as well.
What about Northern Ireland?
If you want to take your pet from England, Scotland or Wales to Northern Ireland, you will have to obtain an AHC, as if you were going on holiday to the EU.
The certificate will have to be presented to a designated travellers' point of entry in order to undergo the necessary compliance checks.
In addition, for entry from Great Britain into Northern Ireland (as well as into Ireland, Finland and Malta), pet dogs will have to be treated against a type of tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis), one to five days before arrival.
The government website says: "The UK government recognises that pet owners and assistance dog users will need time to adjust to these changes. It's working with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on an enforcement approach that takes these challenges into account."
UK citizens living in the EU
If you live in the EU and have a pet passport issued by an EU member state, you will be able to use it to bring your pet to the UK after 2020.
You will be able to return to the EU with the EU-issued pet passport as well.
If you are using a UK-issued pet passport, the government's website says you should speak to your vet who will help you to ensure you are compliant with EU rules.