IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR PET TRAVEL TO THE EU
From the 1st January 2021 Great Britain will become a Third Country with respect to the EU Pet Travel Scheme. We have been granted 'Part 2 Listed' status for the purposes of non-commercial pet travel.
What does this mean?
- Existing EU Pet Passports will no longer be valid for travel to Europe from 11pm on the 31st December 2020
- Animal Health Certificates (AHC's) will have to be issued to allow travel with pets from 1st January 2021
How are the AHC's different to passports?
- AHC are only valid for 10 days from the date of issue i.e you have 10 days to enter the EU from the date your AHC has been issued
- They are only valid for a single trip for entry to the EU. Each time you enter the EU from the UK with your pet you will need a new AHC
- They are valid for onward travel within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue provided the Rabies vaccination does not lapse
- They are valid for re-entry to the UK for 4 months from the date of issue provided the Rabies vaccination does not lapse
- The AHC's are bilingual documents and the appropriate AHC must be issued for the EU member state you entering the EU through.
What other changes are there?
- You will be required to sign a declaration confirming the non-commercial nature of the animal movement. This declaration is part of the AHC.
- We are required to make certified copies of identification and vaccination details i.e a previously issued pet passport or vaccination card.
Here is the link to the appropriate page on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021
