Will the UK Pet Passport Return in 2027?
A factual look at whether UK pet passports are coming back and what pet owners should use for EU travel now.
Many UK pet owners still ask whether the UK pet passport will return in 2027. As of 26 June 2026, GOV.UK has not confirmed a return of the old Great Britain pet passport system for routine travel from Great Britain to the EU.
For now, the practical answer is simple: if you live in Great Britain and want to take a dog, cat or ferret to an EU country, plan around the current GOV.UK rules rather than waiting for a possible future scheme.
What changed after Brexit?
Before Brexit, UK pet owners commonly used pet passports for EU travel. Since 1 January 2021, Great Britain has not been part of the EU pet passport scheme in the same way.
GOV.UK guidance says pet owners travelling from Great Britain to an EU country generally need an animal health certificate unless they have another valid travel document accepted under the rules.
What about EU pet passports?
GOV.UK published updated guidance in 2026 explaining that Great Britain residents should get an animal health certificate when travelling from Great Britain to an EU country. It also warned that EU pet passports are for people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who only have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally.
That matters for owners who previously used an EU-issued pet passport to avoid getting a new AHC for each trip.
What should pet owners do now?
Until official rules change, the safest planning steps are:
- Check GOV.UK before booking travel.
- Ask your vet whether they can issue animal health certificates.
- Make sure your pet is microchipped before the rabies vaccination used for travel.
- Leave enough time for rabies vaccination waiting periods and AHC appointments.
- Check the return rules for bringing your pet back to Great Britain.
Could the rules change by 2027?
Pet travel rules can change, but travel plans should be based on rules that are currently in force. A future UK-EU agreement or domestic policy update would need to be reflected in official guidance before pet owners could rely on it.
The best source remains GOV.UK. If a UK pet passport return is announced, GOV.UK should publish updated instructions explaining who can use it, where it is valid and what vets need to issue.
Source
This guide is based on GOV.UK guidance: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad, New EU rules for pet travel for GB residents and Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain.