Various changes to EU pet travel legislation are on the horizon. I have started this thread so that we can keep track of these changes in one place, and discuss the effects that they will have on British travellers.
On 21 April 2026 EU Regulation 2016/429 will come into force regarding the non-commercial movement of pet animals. This will replace the current EU Regulation 576/2013, which includes a derogation (Article 27) permitting pets to enter the EU from third countries using a Pet Passport instead of an Animal Health Certificate.
However, since Br*x*t it has become increasingly apparent that the EU is not exactly thrilled about Brits obtaining and using Pet Passports in this way. Americans, Canadians, etc have been making use of the Article 27 derogation for years, but it was only when Brits started doing the same that any EU eyebrows (or possibly hackles) were raised. Their two contact centres, Europe Direct and Your Europe, have both been trying to deter Brits from using EU Pet Passports by pushing their own preferred interpretation of EU 576/2013, rather than the way it has been interpreted and implemented ever since it was introduced. Last November a new phrase appeared on the Your Europe 'Travelling with pets' webpage: 'The European pet passport (for dogs, cats and ferrets) is only issued to pet owners who are resident in the EU'. Legally, this is currently not the case but it may give an indication of the EU's intention for the new regulation.
Source: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/pets-and-other-animals/index_en.htm
EU Regulation 2016/429 was enacted back in 2016 but it is a very lengthy regulation covering many aspects of animal health. It is generally just referred to as the Animal Health Law. The introduction of the section relating to the non-commercial movement of pet animals (Part VI) was deferred because it followed too closely on the heels of EU 576/2013. A 10-year transitional period was agreed and this is now coming to its end. Within Part VI, Article 254 refers to delegated acts concerning animal identification documents. Currently we are waiting to see if a derogation similar to Article 27 will be granted within these acts, and any other requirements that may be introduced.
At the meeting of the Animal Health and Welfare section of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) on 22-23 January, the European Commission presented its plans for changes to the legal framework on the non-commercial movement of pet animals. The presentation given at this meeting outlines plans for a single Delegated Act, essentially based on EU 576/2013 but with 'tweaks'.
The presentation can be viewed here:
https://food.ec.europa.eu/document/..._en?filename=reg-com_ahw_20250122_pres-21.pdf
With just over a year to go before the new legislation takes effect, it is important for Brits to know as soon as possible what the changes to the legal framework will be. For example, if the use of Pet Passports is to be restricted to EU residents only, Brits planning to obtain one this year will need to consider whether it will be worthwhile.
One aspect of pet travel under the Animal Health Law that has already been clarified by a delegated regulation (EU 2020/692) is that the 'window' for tapeworm treatment of dogs will reduce from 24-120 hours to 24-48 hours. This will affect travel to the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway. Originally this reduced timeframe referred to the scheduled arrival time, as per the current 24-120 hour window. However, this was deemed to be impracticable and was subsequently amended (EU 2023/119) so that the 24-48 hour timeframe refers to departure time. This will obviously make it easier to comply with but it is still quite restrictive.
Another forthcoming EU regulation (currently at the draft report stage) concerns the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability. While the bulk of this regulation refers to the welfare, breeding and sale of dogs and cats, a part of the proposal refers to a 'Union pet travellers database'.
Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AGRI-PR-766982_EN.pdf
Source: https://www.lexpoint.pt/Fileget.aspx?FileId=55607
I have bookmarked a number of websites where further details of the above changes may subsequently become available but, in the meantime, if anyone comes across any official information on the subject please post it in this thread. Thank you.
On 21 April 2026 EU Regulation 2016/429 will come into force regarding the non-commercial movement of pet animals. This will replace the current EU Regulation 576/2013, which includes a derogation (Article 27) permitting pets to enter the EU from third countries using a Pet Passport instead of an Animal Health Certificate.
However, since Br*x*t it has become increasingly apparent that the EU is not exactly thrilled about Brits obtaining and using Pet Passports in this way. Americans, Canadians, etc have been making use of the Article 27 derogation for years, but it was only when Brits started doing the same that any EU eyebrows (or possibly hackles) were raised. Their two contact centres, Europe Direct and Your Europe, have both been trying to deter Brits from using EU Pet Passports by pushing their own preferred interpretation of EU 576/2013, rather than the way it has been interpreted and implemented ever since it was introduced. Last November a new phrase appeared on the Your Europe 'Travelling with pets' webpage: 'The European pet passport (for dogs, cats and ferrets) is only issued to pet owners who are resident in the EU'. Legally, this is currently not the case but it may give an indication of the EU's intention for the new regulation.
Source: https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/pets-and-other-animals/index_en.htm
EU Regulation 2016/429 was enacted back in 2016 but it is a very lengthy regulation covering many aspects of animal health. It is generally just referred to as the Animal Health Law. The introduction of the section relating to the non-commercial movement of pet animals (Part VI) was deferred because it followed too closely on the heels of EU 576/2013. A 10-year transitional period was agreed and this is now coming to its end. Within Part VI, Article 254 refers to delegated acts concerning animal identification documents. Currently we are waiting to see if a derogation similar to Article 27 will be granted within these acts, and any other requirements that may be introduced.
At the meeting of the Animal Health and Welfare section of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) on 22-23 January, the European Commission presented its plans for changes to the legal framework on the non-commercial movement of pet animals. The presentation given at this meeting outlines plans for a single Delegated Act, essentially based on EU 576/2013 but with 'tweaks'.
The presentation can be viewed here:
https://food.ec.europa.eu/document/..._en?filename=reg-com_ahw_20250122_pres-21.pdf
With just over a year to go before the new legislation takes effect, it is important for Brits to know as soon as possible what the changes to the legal framework will be. For example, if the use of Pet Passports is to be restricted to EU residents only, Brits planning to obtain one this year will need to consider whether it will be worthwhile.
One aspect of pet travel under the Animal Health Law that has already been clarified by a delegated regulation (EU 2020/692) is that the 'window' for tapeworm treatment of dogs will reduce from 24-120 hours to 24-48 hours. This will affect travel to the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway. Originally this reduced timeframe referred to the scheduled arrival time, as per the current 24-120 hour window. However, this was deemed to be impracticable and was subsequently amended (EU 2023/119) so that the 24-48 hour timeframe refers to departure time. This will obviously make it easier to comply with but it is still quite restrictive.
Another forthcoming EU regulation (currently at the draft report stage) concerns the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability. While the bulk of this regulation refers to the welfare, breeding and sale of dogs and cats, a part of the proposal refers to a 'Union pet travellers database'.
Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/AGRI-PR-766982_EN.pdf
Source: https://www.lexpoint.pt/Fileget.aspx?FileId=55607
I have bookmarked a number of websites where further details of the above changes may subsequently become available but, in the meantime, if anyone comes across any official information on the subject please post it in this thread. Thank you.
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