UPDATE: See this post for most recent information concerning Brexit and how it will affect pet travel
The recent Brexit vote by the Brits to leave the European Union will have little effects on pet travel in the near term. The current import requirements for cats, dogs and ferrets will remain intact. (Find them here)?What will change is the ease that EU-Member State pet owners will have traveling to and from the United Kingdom.
More concerning is that the UK will not be bound to EU legislation and?may?strengthen their requirements for pet import. This is likely to happen in some form?considering the pressure the government is receiving from animal welfare and rescue organizations struggling to handle abandoned and unwanted dogs?as well as?problems they are having with the illegal puppy trade.
EU Pet Passports will either be rendered useless or will need to be reissued in the UK, and their status for entering the EU are in question. Will they be universally accepted by the EU?or will the Annex form, which is only good for 4 months, will be required?
The UK will need to apply to the European Commission?for consideration to be included as a non-EU listed country (otherwise known as a Third country). This is likely to happen as the UK is considered a rabies-free country by many countries in the world and their status with the World Organization for Animal Health is in good standing.
Pet travelers need to be informed of any changes that will happen in the next year as the UK readies itself to divest. We will post all changes in legislation, so stay tuned!
Su – in order to return to the EU after Brexit occurs, your dogs will need an EU pet passport (issued in the EU or in the UK prior to EU Exit) OR the animal health certificate issued in the UK used to travel to the EU (which you can use up to 4 months after it was issued) OR a UK pet health certificate (for travel into the UK only). If you cross borders at an inspection post in the EU after October 1, 2019, know that your dogs’ UK Pet Passports will no longer be recognized. They will need an EU health certificate instead. In the abundance of caution, you may want to get your dogs EU health certificates before leaving the UK. The form is valid for 4 months of travel within the EU. You can review regulations to re-import your dogs to the UK here as there is a tapeworm requirement: https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/UnitedKingdom.cfm.
You can enter the UK using the following routes: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-approved-air-sea-rail-and-charter-routes-for-the-movement-of-pets/pet-travel-sea-routes-and-companies-you-can-use. Your dogs’ rabies vaccinations will be accepted when you return.
Susan
I am hoping to spend part of September, October, November, and part of December at my holiday home in Spain, however am concerned about the October date for Brexit and how it might effect our return. All my dogs have pet passports issued within the last three years. My youngest dog had the rabies blood test but was still issued with the old style passport.
a. Is it safe to travel in September and return after October 31st.
b. Will my old inoculations and passports be worthless after October 31st.
Thank you Su