The EU has now made available updated Animal Health Certificates (AHCs) for the non-commercial travel of pet dogs, cats and ferrets to the EU. Earlier this year the EU confirmed that PET passports could only be issued to, and used by, owners of pets who have a primary residence in an EU member state. All pet dogs, cats and ferrets belonging to UK residents, travelling to the EU for non-commercial purposes, need an AHC which is valid for one journey to the EU, between EU territories and the subsequent return to the UK.

As it stands the changes to the AHCs are:

• Only one owner with up to 5 pets is authorised to travel in one car.
• Whilst an owner may give written authorisation for someone else to travel with their pet/s the owner must be re-united with their pet/s within 5 days. Evidence of the owners travel plans within 5 days before or after the movement of their pet/s must be provided.
• AHCs will now be valid for non-commercial pet movement between EU member states, and back to the UK, for up to 6 months from the date of entry into the EU or until the expiry date of the rabies vaccination, whichever is shorter.
• AHCs now include a compulsory fit to fly check.

These changes are unlikely to significantly affect the majority of frequent fliers. For anyone needing further information on AHCs or general pet travel please see our Pet Travel Page or visit the gov.uk website.