Travelling with your pets in Europe - European Commission
Travelling with your pets in the EU? Find out which documents you need to take, including EU pet passports and animal health certificates.
commission.europa.euHere are the latest developments on EU pet passports as of April 2026.
- Key rule shift: EU rules tightened for pets entering from non-EU countries and for EU residents traveling with pets. From late April 2026, many non-commercial EU pet movements require updated documentation, stricter health checks, and potential use of an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead of older EU pet passports for certain scenarios.[4][8]
- EU-wide digital transition: There is a push toward digital pet records linked to microchips, with plans for an EU-wide travellers’ database to streamline verification of identity, vaccination status, and lawful movement across member states.[1]
- UK resident travel changes: For GB residents traveling to the EU, EU-issued pet passports may no longer be valid. Travelers are advised to obtain an AHC and ensure microchip and rabies data align with EU expectations; additional requirements may apply for journeys to Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Finland (e.g., tapeworm treatment for dogs in specific routes).[8][4]
- Practical impact for travelers: If you live in the US or other non-EU countries and plan trips to the EU with a dog, cat, or ferret, you’ll likely need an official health certificate issued close to travel, possible rabies antibody testing, and pre-registration in EU databases depending on the origin and destination within the EU.[9][1]
What this means for pet owners in Miami or planning travel to Europe:
- Expect more paperwork and timing considerations before trips, with a tendency toward online pre-registration and centralized health documentation checks at entry points.[1][9]
- If traveling from the UK or GB to the EU, EU pet passports issued in GB may not be accepted post-April 2026; you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate and to verify current entry rules for your specific destination.[4][8]
- Always verify the latest official guidance from your destination country and the EU, as rules can differ by origin, species, and travel purpose (non-commercial vs. commercial) and may be amended over time.[7][9]
Illustrative example:
- A US-based traveler with a dog planning a summer trip to Spain should anticipate needing an official health certificate issued shortly before travel, ensure the dog’s microchip matches EU records, and be prepared for potential pre-registration in an EU traveller database if applicable to the route, rather than relying on an EU pet passport.[9][1]
Would you like me to pull the most current steps from official sources for your specific itinerary (Miami to a particular EU country) and summarize the exact documents you’ll need? I can provide a concise checklist tailored to your destination.[7][9]