In what has already been a tumultuous yr for the travel business (cancelled flights, closed-off airspace, rocketing fuel costs and shortages and the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System), British pet owners now face one other impediment, ought to they want to take their animals overseas.
As of Wednesday 22 April, new EU pet travel rules kicked in, which means that GB residents travelling from England, Scotland or Wales to an EU nation with pet canine, cats and ferrets (sure, actually), will now require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) – which shall be single-use solely.
The official steerage additionally applies to help animals and descriptions how GB residents ought to not use EU pet passports to travel into the EU. “EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally,” the Gov.uk web site reads. This implies that pet passports issued to GB residents earlier than 22 April this yr will seemingly not be legitimate. The UK authorities is, subsequently, urging pet owners to apply for an AHC forward of time, to guarantee a easy journey.
It will want to be issued by a vet inside 10 days of the journey, and it may be used for up to 6 months for onward travel as soon as you’ve got left the UK. But, in the event you return to the UK between journeys, you will have to reapply for a brand new certificates on your subsequent journey. The UK authorities additionally states that GB residents will nonetheless have the option to use EU pet passports for his or her return journey to the UK.
Other key modifications to the EU’s travel rules for pets embody further paperwork for these travelling with another person’s pet, and a brand new five-pet restrict per non-public car, fairly than 5 per particular person.
A spokesperson for the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) mentioned: “From 22 April, new EU rules change how GB residents travel to the EU with their pets, but holidays with your pets are still possible. Anyone planning to travel should check guidance on Gov.uk, and the entry rules for their destination.
“To avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey, pet owners residing in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate if they’re travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.”
For more information about AHCs and how to apply for one, you can go to the federal government web site right here.