Pet passports in the UK - what you actually need in 2026
If you're searching for a "pet passport," the honest answer is: for most UK owners it no longer exists the way it used to - and the rules changed again in April 2026. Here's the plain-English version of what you need to travel with your dog or cat, what it costs, and whether the old passport is coming back.
Rules and figures change. Always check the official sources before you book or travel: GOV.UK - taking your pet abroad , getting an AHC , and the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) .
What you actually need now
What's an Animal Health Certificate (AHC)?
The AHC is the document that replaced the GB pet passport for EU travel. It's an official certificate your vet completes confirming your pet meets the EU's entry rules: an up-to-date microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and (for dogs travelling to certain countries, or returning to GB) a tapeworm treatment.
Where do you get one? Only an Official Veterinarian (OV) - a vet approved by APHA - can issue an AHC. That might be your own practice, but not every vet is an OV, so check before you book. If yours isn't, they can usually point you to one.
What does it look like? It's a multi-page paper document (not a little booklet like the old passport), filled in and signed at your appointment. You can add up to five pets to one certificate.
Step-by-step from the source: GOV.UK - getting an animal health certificate .
How much does it cost?
An AHC is charged per trip, not once for life - that's the big shift from the old passport. Costs vary by vet, so treat these as ballpark ranges and confirm with your practice.
Figures are indicative and change - confirm current costs with your vet and on GOV.UK. Last reviewed 31 May 2026.
Sorting the paperwork? Plan for the worst day too.
An AHC gets your pet across the border. It does nothing if they slip a lead in an unfamiliar town. A scannable Supernormal tag means any finder, anywhere, can reach you in one scan - alongside your official documents, never instead of them.
How long does it take - and how long is it valid?
Start planning several weeks before you travel. If your pet needs a first rabies vaccination, you must wait at least 21 days after it's given before you can travel. The AHC itself must be issued within 10 days of your travel date.
Once issued, the AHC covers your entry to the EU, onward travel between EU countries, and your single return to GB within its validity window. The exact window is the kind of detail that changes, so confirm the current figure on GOV.UK before you rely on it.
Travelling to specific countries
The essentials change by destination - pick yours for a quick summary, then confirm the detail on GOV.UK.
Travelling to France
Animal Health Certificate (AHC)- Standard EU rules - microchip + in-date rabies vaccination
- AHC issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel
- Tapeworm treatment is needed for your return to GB, not for entry to France
Is the UK pet passport coming back?
What's confirmed: the May 2025 UK–EU agreement said a deal is set to reintroduce EU pet passports for GB residents, which would replace the per-trip AHC with a longer-lasting document.
What's not: there is no confirmed date or detailyet. Despite what some sites claim, the passport has not already returned - and this is separate from ETIAS (the EU travel authorisation for people, not pets). Until it's official, you need an AHC.
Whatever you travel on - don't lose your pet abroad
A microchip only helps once a vet scans it, and an engraved UK number means little to a finder in France or Spain. A scannable Supernormal tag shows anyone, instantly: your international contact, a backup, your vet, and a 'we're travelling' note. Sort your AHC with your vet first - then add the on-the-ground safety net.
Quick answers
One scan, anywhere in the world.
Sort the AHC with your vet - then make sure a finder abroad can reach you in a tap.