Are you moving abroad or travelling in the near future and wondering about taking your pets? Since Brexit, pets require an Animal Health Certificate instead of a passport. This blog will discuss the rules of taking pets abroad, either temporarily or permanently.
Rules by Country
As you may expect, many nations have different regulations regarding taking pets on trips. Some places, including all EU member states, require that your pet be microchipped, rabies-vaccinated, and in possession of an Animal Health Certificate.
An export health certificate, export application forms, and supporting documentation, such as your airline or ferry tickets and booking confirmation, are required for all other non-EU countries. You can still use your previous pet passport if it was issued before January 1, 2021, and is still valid, to demonstrate that your animal has received a rabies vaccination.
Animal Health Certificate
The pet passports issued in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) were no longer valid as of January 1, 2021. Instead, pet owners who wanted to take their animals overseas had to visit a veterinarian recognised by the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) and ask them to examine the animal and issue an Animal Health Certificate.
Depending on the veterinarian’s office, this can cost anywhere between £100 and £200. This applies to the documentation and consultation, and you will need to pay more if your pet requires a microchip, a shot, or medication. The Certificate is valid for ten days following the health examination and up to 4 months if travelling further, including the return trip. It must be printed in both the official languages of the nation or nations where you plan to take your pets.
You are unable to modify the nation of entry through which you are entering Europe once the Animal Health Certificate has been received. Your animals must enter the EU through a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE) into that nation, just like with pet passports.
Export Health Certificate
An Export Health Certificate must be signed by a local authority inspector or an authorised veterinarian when bringing a pet to a non-EU nation like Dubai, Australia, America, etc. If you’re contemplating a long-term move overseas and want to bring your pet(s) along, the paperwork might need to be notarised.
For help with Spanish law, contact Spanish Legal Matters on +44 20 8017 2216.
