An upcoming EU-UK summit may lead to the reinstatement of pet passports, facilitating easier travel for holidaymakers with dogs, cats, and ferrets. This initiative is part of broader negotiations between the EU and UK to enhance cooperation, as promised by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer and now pursued by current PM Andy Burnham.
The proposed measures include a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, UK access to the EU electricity market, and a youth mobility scheme. The SPS agreement aims to remove checks on food and animal products and restore EU pet passports for UK travelers. In return, the UK will adhere to EU food and animal standards for imports from non-EU countries.
Currently, British travelers require an Animal Health Certificate for EU pet travel, a requirement that arose after Brexit. However, if the SPS agreement is enacted, pet owners will eventually be able to acquire a multi-use pet passport for EU travel, eliminating the need for individual health certificates. The new arrangements are expected to take effect around mid-2027, while interim measures will still require certificates until then.
