Travelers moving between the United Kingdom and the European Union may soon find it easier to take their pets across the Channel. An agreement currently under negotiation is expected to be unveiled at the upcoming EU-UK summit in Brussels on November 20th. This deal is part of a broader "reset" of the relationship between the two sides, a policy initiative initiated by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer and continued by current Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The potential restoration of pet passports would allow for easier movement for holidaymakers traveling with dogs, cats, and ferrets. Previously, British travelers were able to use these documents for multiple trips within the bloc; however, this system ended following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, which resulted in the UK being classified as a third country. Since that change, travelers from Great Britain have been required to obtain an individual Animal Health Certificate for every trip they take to the EU, whereas Northern Ireland has maintained its participation in the EU pet travel scheme.
The situation became more restrictive on April 22nd, 2026, when updated EU regulations further excluded residents of England, Scotland, and Wales from the pet passport scheme. According to a statement from the UK government, the expected approval of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement would change this landscape. Under the new arrangement, pet owners would be able to utilize a multi-use pet passport rather than securing a new health certificate for each journey. The government estimates that this agreement should become effective around mid-2027. Until that time, owners traveling from Great Britain to an EU country must continue to obtain an animal health certificate for their dog, cat, or ferret. Further details on how to bring a pet into the EU from a non-EU country are available for those currently planning travel.
