PET PASSPORTS
The EU Animal Health Law was adopted in 2016 but only began applying in 2021, with a transition period for pet-movement rules running until 22 April 2026. During that time vets in EU countries like France could issue EU pet passports to animals presented to them, and the requirement that the owner be habitually resident in the EU wasn’t strictly enforced in practice. Many second-home owners used this and it was generally accepted. The 2026 change tightens and clarifies that EU pet passports are intended only for pets linked to EU-resident owners, so what’s now described as a “loophole” wasn’t illegal before – it was allowed under the transition period.
Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 remains the governing law for pet travel until 21 April 2026, marking the end of the legal transition period for UK-issued EU pet passports. From 22 April 2026, UK residents can no longer use EU pet passports for travel to the EU, necessitating an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
Until the new rules take effect on 22 April 2026, that system continues to apply under the transitional legal arrangement, meaning there was no retroactive illegality attached to having or using those passports during that time.