EU and UK Plan to Restore Pet Passports for Easier Travel

EU and UK negotiators are working on a new agreement to restore pet passports. The deal should be announced on November 20 at a summit in Brussels. It aims to rebuild closer ties between both sides. Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer started the relationship reset. Current Prime Minister Andy Burnham is now taking it forward.

The broader package includes several key measures. It covers a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food trade. It gives the UK access to the EU electricity market. It also establishes a youth mobility scheme. Under the food agreement, checks on food and animal products will end. In return, the UK will follow EU rules on food and animal safety.

The agreement will bring back multi-use pet passports for dogs, cats, and ferrets. British pet owners lost this perk after Brexit when the UK became a third country. Since then, travellers from Great Britain to the EU have needed a new Animal Health Certificate for every trip. Northern Ireland remained in the EU pet travel scheme. Stricter EU travel rules also took effect on April 22, 2026.

Under the new plan, pet owners can use one multi-use passport for multiple trips. The changes are expected to become effective around mid-2027. Until then, pet owners must keep using individual animal health certificates for every journey across the Channel. (Source: The Local)