UK pet passport 2027: what GOV.UK says so far
According to GOV.UK (Defra), checked on 31 October 2026, the UK–EU SPS agreement is intended to take effect in mid-2027, and pet owners will then be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for EU travel instead of a new animal health certificate for each trip; GOV.UK gives no exact date or cost yet, and until then you still need an animal health certificate.
This is not veterinary advice. A missing step can mean that your pet is refused entry or put into quarantine. We quote GOV.UK and the European Commission word for word, with the date we checked them. Check with your vet and the official page before you travel.
At a glance
| Today | An animal health certificate for each trip from Great Britain to the EU |
|---|---|
| Expected | A multiuse pet passport valid for EU travel |
| When | GOV.UK: “mid-2027”, subject to negotiations; no exact date on the pages we read |
| Cost and how to apply | Not published on the GOV.UK pages we read |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 (GOV.UK page updated on 30 July 2026) |
What GOV.UK says
It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027.
Travelling to the EU with pet dogs, cats and ferrets is expected to become easier and cheaper. Pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for EU travel, rather than obtaining a new animal health certificate for each trip. In the meantime, owners will still need an animal health certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.
As negotiations are ongoing, not all details are confirmed at this stage.
The following timeline sets out the expected stages for introducing the SPS agreement and when further information will be published:
- summer 2026 – further details on upcoming changes announced, including on any exceptions and transition periods
- autumn 2026 – detailed guidance and support, including checklists and practical tools, made available
- mid-2027 – agreement takes effect (subject to negotiations)
Source: GOV.UK: Veterinary sector: preparing your business (SPS agreement) (GOV.UK (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)), page updated on 30 July 2026, checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
What you need today
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU - even if it was issued in the EU. If you use a pet passport instead of an animal health certificate, your pet may be refused entry.
You must get an animal health certificate before you enter the EU. The certificate is valid for travel any time within 10 days after it’s issued by your vet, so you’ll need to travel during this time. Day 1 is the date the animal health certificate is issued.
You will need to get a new animal health certificate for each separate trip you take with your pet to the EU.
Source: GOV.UK: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad (GOV.UK (Animal and Plant Health Agency)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
An EU pet passport issued to a pet owner resident in Great Britain is no longer a valid document for travelling with pets from Great Britain to the EU.
Source: European Commission: Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country (European Commission (DG Health and Food Safety)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Step by step: taking a dog or cat from the UK to the EU, and the date calculator.
How we follow this page
We re-read the GOV.UK page at every update of this site and compare the quoted text with the previous reading: when GOV.UK publishes a date, a cost or new steps, this page changes and shows the new date of the check. Last check: 31 October 2026.
Questions
Is the UK pet passport coming back in 2027?
That is what GOV.UK expects: “Travelling to the EU with pet dogs, cats and ferrets is expected to become easier and cheaper. Pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for EU travel, rather than obtaining a new animal health certificate for each trip. In the meantime, owners will still need an animal health certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.” “It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027.” GOV.UK gives no exact date on the pages we read.
What are the requirements for the 2027 UK pet passport?
GOV.UK has not published them on the pages we read. It says: “As negotiations are ongoing, not all details are confirmed at this stage.” Until then, the animal health certificate rules apply.
How much will the 2027 UK pet passport cost?
GOV.UK has not published a cost on the pages we read. It says: “Travelling to the EU with pet dogs, cats and ferrets is expected to become easier and cheaper. Pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for EU travel, rather than obtaining a new animal health certificate for each trip. In the meantime, owners will still need an animal health certificate for their dog, cat or ferret if they are travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.”
When does the UK–EU deal on pet travel start?
GOV.UK gives this timeline: “The following timeline sets out the expected stages for introducing the SPS agreement and when further information will be published: summer 2026 – further details on upcoming changes announced, including on any exceptions and transition periods; autumn 2026 – detailed guidance and support, including checklists and practical tools, made available; mid-2027 – agreement takes effect (subject to negotiations).”
Where does this answer come from?
From GOV.UK and the European Commission, read on 31 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page. It is information, not veterinary or legal advice: check with your vet and the official page.
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GOV.UK text: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. European Commission text: reuse authorised with acknowledgement of the source. Before You Fly is not a government site.