Heathrow Veterinary Services Ltd

19/04/2026

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**
New rules to travel to EU from the UK with your pet.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EDkXRKc2Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr

APHA Briefing Note 14/26

Change to Pet Travel Rules and Animal Health
Certificates

Date issued: 17 April 2026

➡️Purpose

1. To inform Official Veterinarians (OV) who hold Official Controls Qualification (Veterinary) (OCQ(V)) – CA (Companion Animals) or SX (Small Animal Exports) of changes to procedures for Pet Travel rules and Animal Health Certificate templates for pet owners travelling to the European Union (EU) with pet dogs, cats and ferrets.

2. The changes to the Pet Travel rules take effect from Wednesday 22 April 2026.

➡️Background

3. From 22 April 2026, new EU rules will apply to the non‑commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from third countries such as Great Britain (GB). Pet owners are advised to check the entry requirements with the relevant authority in the destination country before travel.

4. An EU pet passport, issued to or held by a pet owner who is resident in GB, will no longer be a valid document for travelling with pets from GB to the EU. This applies to EU pet passports issued in an EU Member State or Northern Ireland, including those issued before 22 April 2026. EU pet passports may only be issued to owners whose main residence is within the European Union.

5. GB residents travelling to the EU with a pet dog, cat or ferret will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for travel from 22 April 2026.

6. There are no changes to GB entry requirements.

7. More detailed guidance on the changes coming into effect from 22 April 2026 will be published on GOV.UK.

8. As part of the changes to the EU rules, the AHC templates will also be updated. The new AHCs will be published on Improve as soon as possible after 22 April 2026. Up until the new AHCs are available the EU have agreed a transition period where the old AHCs will be accepted for travel into the EU. OVs should start using the new templates as soon as they are available

9. A further APHA Briefing Note will be issued to inform OVs when the new AHC templates will be published.

Further Information

Any queries relating to this briefing note should be sent to: [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 0300 201
Issued: April 2026

16/07/2024

It is always a pleasure to assist clients with exporting their pets. Lychee was happy to fly around our office and even had a taste of our fingers 😅!

23/01/2024

We had the prettiest puppy we have ever seen, going for a lovely life in Trinidad! Have a nice flight, Winston!

06/08/2023

04/08/2023

It is always nice working alongside lovely shipping agents!

28/06/2023

We are very grateful to have received such a lovely gift from a client!
Thanks so much.

02/06/2023

We are so proud that BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) reached out our colleague Bruno to present a lecture about Animal and Export Health Certificates for other vets to be more confident when issuing them.
1 week to go!

Registered Company No. 02837793. A Company Limited by Guarantee in England. Registered as a Charity in England and Wales No. 1024811.

07/12/2022

IMPORTANT!
We are having an issue with email system and it is being fixed.

If you tried to contact us in the last few days, please try to contact is by phone during the opening hours or alternatively you can email to [email protected]

Thanks for the understanding.

17/07/2022

PLEASE! Be aware of the heatwave for the next few days!

As Red and Amber extreme heat warnings are announced across the UK, vets issue urgent advice on keeping pets safe from heat-related illnesses.