UK Pet Passports Are Coming Back: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated: 5th November 2026

Great news for pet owners! The government has announced plans to reintroduce the UK pet passport, making it easier for dogs and cats to travel from the UK to the EU once again. The UK and EU are expected to finalise their agreement at the UK-EU summit on 20th November 2026.

Following Brexit, as of January 2021, pet owners have had to use Animal Health Certificates (AHCs), lengthy, single-use documents that must be issued every time a pet travels abroad to the EU.

However, following the UK-EU summit in May 2025, the government announced plans to reintroduce multi-use pet passports, allowing pets to travel to the EU repeatedly without needed a new certificate for each trip.

The latest news is that the new pet passport scheme could be introduced in early 2028, although the government has not yet confirmed an official launch date.

In October 2026, the government reconfirmed its commitment to concluding negotiations before the EU-UK summit on 20th November. More recent newspaper reports suggest the wider agreement is now close to completion.

At PassPets, we specialise in pet travel documentation and our team of Official Veterinarians have helped thousands of pet owners travel to the EU with our £99 Animal Health Certificate service. We'll be ready to issue UK pet passports as soon as they are available.

Below, we’ve answered the most common questions about the return of UK pet passports, how they are expected to work and what pet owners need to know in the meantime.

UK Pet Passport FAQ

When will UK pet passports be reintroduced?

UK pet passports are currently expected to return in 2028, although no official launch date has been confirmed.

The next important milestone is the UK–EU summit taking place on 20 November 2026, when the two sides are expected to finalise their new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.

This agreement includes plans to reintroduce multi-use pet passports for dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between Great Britain and the EU.

Recent reports suggest the new arrangements could come into effect in early 2028, following the necessary legislation and implementation work.

We'll keep this blog updated as soon as further details are announced.

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How will the UK pet passport work?

We expect UK pet passports to work much like they did before January 2021. Dogs, cats and ferrets will need to be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination, which will be recorded in the pet passport.

The pet passport will then remain valid for travel to and from the EU for as long as the rabies vaccination is valid - usually three years for most UK administered rabies vaccinations, however occasionally one year depending on the manufacturer of the rabies vaccination your vet uses. It can be used for multiple trips, unlike AHCs, which are single-use.

For dogs, the tapeworm treatment required before re-entering the UK will need to be recorded in the pet passport between 24 and 120 hours before arrival back in the UK (except for dogs coming directly from Ireland, Norway, Finland, or Malta, which require tapeworm treatment before departure out from the UK).

Who will be able to issue pet passports?

We expect UK pet passports to be issued by appropriately authorised veterinary surgeons, most likely Official Veterinarians (OVs), who hold additional qualifications to issue pet travel documentation.

However, the government has not yet confirmed the exact authorisation requirements.

At PassPets, our team of experienced Official Veterinarians already specialises in issuing pet travel documents, and we plan to offer the new UK pet passports as soon as we are authorised to do so.

Will pet passports replace Animal Health Certificates completely?

For most dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from Great Britain to the EU with their owners, we expect pet passports to replace the need for a new Animal Health Certificate for each trip.

This should make travelling considerably easier for pet owners who regularly visit Europe.

However, other documentation, including Export Health Certificates, may still be required for commercial pet movements, certain types of travel, and destinations outside the EU.

For example, travel to countries such as Australia, Canada and the USA will continue to be subject to their own entry requirements.

Will I need to get a new microchip or rabies vaccination for a pet passport?

If your pet is already microchipped and has a valid rabies vaccination, we expect an authorised vet to be able to record the existing vaccination in the new passport, provided there is sufficient documentary evidence.

This should mean pets with an existing, valid rabies vaccination won't necessarily need to be vaccinated again just to obtain a passport.

However, we're still waiting for the government to confirm the precise rules for transferring existing vaccination records into the new UK pet passport.

How long with pet passports be valid for?

We expect UK pet passports to remain valid for multiple journeys, rather than expiring after a single trip.

Under the previous system, the passport itself did not have a fixed expiry date. Instead, the pet needed to maintain a valid rabies vaccination, with booster details recorded in the passport as required. We expect a similar system to return.

Many UK rabies vaccinations, including Nobivac and Canigen, can provide three years of protection, while others may be valid for one year depending on the product and vaccination history.

Will my old pet passport still work if I have one from before Brexit?

If you still have an old GB-issued pet passport from before January 2021, you cannot currently use it to enter the EU from Great Britain.

It's not yet clear whether these old passports will be recognised under the new arrangements, but we think it's likely that owners will need to obtain a newly issued UK pet passport.

We'll update this advice when the government publishes the final rules.

Can I still use an EU pet passport if I live in Great Britain?

No. Under rules introduced on 22 April 2026, residents of Great Britain cannot use an EU pet passport to enter the EU, even if it was previously issued by an EU veterinarian.

This is an important change for pet owners who previously obtained EU pet passports during holidays abroad.

EU pet passports are intended for people whose main home is within the EU, rather than UK residents who visit occasionally or own holiday homes there.

Until the new UK pet passport scheme launches, GB residents should continue using Animal Health Certificates for travel to the EU.

How do I get a pet passport?

Once the scheme launches, we expect pet owners to be able to book an appointment with an authorised veterinary surgeon to obtain a UK pet passport.

The vet will likely need to check the pet's microchip and vaccination records before issuing the passport.

Our team at PassPets plans to offer UK pet passports from our branches in London (New Malden), Havant and Bristol.

In the meantime, we're continuing to issue low-cost Animal Health Certificates for pet owners travelling to the EU.

Do I still need an Animal Health Certificate to travel to the EU in 2026 and 2027?

Yes. Until the new UK pet passport arrangements officially come into effect, residents of Great Britain will still need an Animal Health Certificate for each separate trip to the EU with their dog, cat or ferret.

An AHC must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU and can be used for onward travel within the EU and return to Great Britain for up to six months, provided your pet's rabies vaccination remains valid.

At PassPets, we currently charge just £99 for the first pet and £55 for each additional pet on the same certificate.

How can I stay informed about the latest pet travel rules?

We'll continue monitoring announcements from the UK government and European Union, particularly following the summit on 20 November 2026.

Join our email list below to receive important updates about when UK pet passports will become available, how the scheme will work and when you can book an appointment.

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Does PassPets offer Animal Health Certificates?

Yes! We issue Animal Health Certificates for pets travelling from the UK to the EU. We charge £99 for the first pet and £55 per any additional pets, and we have branches in London, Havant and Bristol. Visit our homepage for more information or contact us and speak to one of our pet travel experts.