If you're travelling from Great Britain to the EU with a dog, cat or ferret, you've probably seen both 'Pet Passport' and 'Animal Health Certificate (AHC)'.
Although they both allow pets to travel, they are different documents and the one you need depends on your circumstances. Understand the April 2026 residency rules for travelling from Great Britain to the EU with a dog, cat or ferret.
Pet Passport vs Animal Health Certificate
If you are travelling from Great Britain to the EU with a dog, cat or ferret, the document you need now depends not only on which pet travel document you already have, but also on where your main home is.
From 22 April 2026, EU pet passports should be used by people whose main home is in the EU. People whose main home is in Great Britain should obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for travel from Great Britain to the EU, even if their pet already has an EU-issued pet passport.
What does 'main home' or 'EU resident' mean?
For this purpose, your main home is the country where you normally and principally live. It is not determined simply by your nationality, which passport you hold, where you were born, or whether you own property in an EU country.
• If you normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, Great Britain is generally your main home.
• Owning a holiday home in the EU does not by itself make you an EU resident for pet passport purposes.
• Spending holidays or part of the year in the EU does not automatically make the EU your main home.
• Holding an EU passport or dual nationality does not by itself mean you are resident in the EU.
• If you genuinely divide your life between Great Britain and the EU and are unsure which is your main home, obtain individual advice before relying on an EU pet passport.
Practical rule: if your normal, principal home is in Great Britain, use an AHC for a journey from Great Britain to the EU.
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Quick answer
You will usually need an Animal Health Certificate if:
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you are travelling from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) to an EU country;
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your pet is a dog, cat or ferret; and
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your main home is in Great Britain.
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You may be able to use an EU Pet Passport if:
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your main home is genuinely in an EU country;
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the passport was issued by an authorised country
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the passport has been completed correctly; and
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the rabies vaccination remains valid.
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At a glance​
What is an Animal Health Certificate?
An Animal Health Certificate is an official document issued by an Official Veterinarian before travel. It confirms that your pet is correctly identified, has a valid rabies vaccination and meets the relevant EU pet travel requirements.
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It be used to enter the EU within 10 days of issue.
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After entry, it can be used for onward travel within the EU and for return to Great Britain for up to six months, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.
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It is still a single-use certificate for departure from Great Britain: a new AHC is required for each new trip from Great Britain to the EU.
What is an EU Pet Passport?
An EU Pet Passport is a reusable pet travel document issued by an authorised veterinarian in an EU Member State. From 22 April 2026, it should be issued to and used by people whose main home is in the EU.
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An EU Pet Passport should not be treated as valid for a Great Britain resident merely because the owner has EU nationality, owns an EU property, visits seasonally or obtained the passport before the rule change.
Can a Great Britain resident still use an existing EU Pet Passport?
Great Britain residents should no longer rely on an EU Pet Passport to enter the EU from Great Britain. EU pet passports issued to GB residents before 22 April 2026 may no longer be accepted for entry to the EU.
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To minimise the risk of being delayed or refused travel, a person whose main home is in Great Britain should obtain an AHC, even if their pet already has an EU-issued passport.
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Can I still use an old Great Britain-issued Pet Passport?
​No. A pet passport issued in Great Britain cannot be used to enter the EU. Different rules apply when returning to Great Britain, but it is not a valid outbound document for entry into the EU.
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Which document do I need?
​I normally live in England, Scotland or Wales. You should obtain an Animal Health Certificate.
I am an EU citizen but normally live in Great Britain. You should obtain an Animal Health Certificate. Nationality is not the deciding factor.
I own a holiday home in France or another EU country. You should still obtain an AHC if Great Britain remains your main home.
I spend several months a year in the EU but my principal home is in Great Britain. You should obtain an AHC.
My main home is genuinely in an EU country and my pet has a valid EU Pet Passport. You may be able to use the passport, provided it is valid and correctly completed.
I divide my time between Great Britain and the EU and I am unsure where my main home is. Obtain individual advice before relying on a pet passport. An AHC is the safer option for travel starting in Great Britain unless your EU residency is clear.
Common misconceptions
I have an EU passport, so I count as an EU resident. Not necessarily. Citizenship and residence are different. The relevant question is where you normally and principally live.
I own a house in the EU, so I can use an EU Pet Passport. Not if it is only a holiday or second home and your main home remains in Great Britain.
My pet already has an EU Pet Passport, so it must still be valid. Not necessarily. EU passports issued to GB residents before 22 April 2026 may no longer be accepted for entry to the EU.
An AHC lasts six months, so I can use it for several separate holidays. No. It can remain valid after EU entry for onward travel and return to Great Britain, but a new AHC is needed for each new departure from Great Britain to the EU.
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Frequently asked questions
Does dual nationality make me an EU resident?
No. Dual nationality alone does not decide residence. The key issue is where your main home is.
Does having an EU address make me an EU resident?
Not automatically. A holiday home, second home or correspondence address is not the same as your normal, principal home.
Can I use an EU Pet Passport to return to Great Britain?
A valid EU Pet Passport may still be accepted for return to Great Britain, but this does not mean a GB resident can use it to enter the EU from Great Britain.
Can I convert an AHC into a Pet Passport?
No. They are separate documents.
What should I do if my residency is genuinely unclear?
Seek individual advice before travel. You may need to provide evidence of where your main home is, and an AHC is the safer document for a journey starting in Great Britain unless EU residency is clear.
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In this situation, we recommend contacting the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for advice before travelling.
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APHA Pet Travel Help and Support: GOV.UK – Pet Travel Help and Support
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The APHA can advise on how the current rules apply to your individual circumstances.