UK Seeks Return to EU Pet Passport Scheme to Ease Travel Burden on Pet Owners

The UK government is reportedly aiming to rejoin the EU’s pet passport scheme, a move that would significantly simplify travel requirements for British pet owners post-Brexit.

According to UK media, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to host the EU-UK summit in London next Monday, where this issue will be among the key topics discussed as part of broader efforts to strengthen UK-EU ties.

Rejoining the Scheme Won’t Be Simple

While the UK is pushing for easier pet travel, rejoining the EU pet passport system is not expected to be straightforward.

As reported by The Independent, the UK would likely need to reach an agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards and commit to a long-term fisheries deal—one of the EU’s core conditions for cooperation on such regulatory matters.

A diplomatic source was quoted saying:

“Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.”

This implies that the pet passport deal could be part of a larger package of negotiations, with final terms still under discussion.

Why the Pet Passport Scheme Matters

Prior to Brexit, UK pet owners benefited from the EU pet passport, an official document that allows pets to travel freely across EU countries. The passport includes:

Identification details (microchip or tattoo code)

Vaccination records

Owner’s contact information

Since the UK left the EU, British travellers with pets must obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each individual trip, issued no more than 10 days before travel. These certificates can cost up to €237 (£200) and come with additional requirements such as:

Microchipping

Rabies vaccination

Tapeworm treatment (for dogs)

A Return to Simplicity for Pet Owners

Rejoining the EU pet passport scheme would eliminate many of the current administrative and financial burdens. Unlike the AHC, the EU pet passport remains valid for the pet’s lifetime, provided vaccinations—particularly against rabies—are kept up to date.

For thousands of British pet owners who regularly travel to EU countries, this change could greatly reduce cost, paperwork, and stress, especially for frequent travellers and pet-friendly holidaymakers.