New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024

Post Published July 16, 2024

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New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - New EU Animal Health Certificate Requirements





New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024

The European Union has introduced new animal health certificate requirements for pet travel beginning in Summer 2024.

The Animal Health Certificate, issued by an official veterinarian, will replace the previously used GB pet passports for pets traveling from the UK to the EU.

This certificate documents the pet's vaccination status and other necessary information.

Additionally, pets transiting through EU airports will need to provide documentation for both the transit country and final destination.

While the EU will now allow pet movement between member states and from non-EU countries with proper rabies vaccination, the entry of young, unvaccinated animals remains prohibited.

The Animal Health Certificate is a standardized 1-1/4 A4 page document, replacing the previously used GB-issued pet passports after Brexit.

Pets traveling from the UK to the EU will now require this certificate, which documents the pet's vaccination against rabies and other health requirements.

For pets transiting through EU airports, documentation for both the transit country and final destination is necessary, including the animal health certificate for entry into the EU.

The EU will no longer require a rabies titer test when the pet is coming from a rabies-free country or a country with a low incidence of rabies, for travel between EU countries or from non-EU countries.

The requirement for a certificate of treatment for ticks will no longer be necessary under the new EU regulations.

The Animal Health Certificate must be issued by an official state veterinarian in the country of departure, not more than 10 days before the pet's arrival in the EU.

What else is in this post?

  1. New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - New EU Animal Health Certificate Requirements
  2. New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Microchipping and Rabies Vaccination Updates
  3. New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Changes to Pet Travel Between EU Member States
  4. New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Impact on UK-EU Pet Travel Post-Brexit
  5. New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - US CDC High-Risk Country Designations for Dogs
  6. New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Timeline for Implementation of New Regulations

New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Microchipping and Rabies Vaccination Updates





Starting August 1, 2024, all dogs entering or returning to the United States must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, and have a valid rabies vaccination certificate.

Additionally, dogs will need a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

Within the EU, the pet passport allows dogs, cats, and ferrets to travel up to 28 times with no time limit, as long as the rabies vaccination remains valid.

Microchips implanted in dogs must be compatible with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard to be accepted for travel under the new EU regulations.

The microchip must be implanted prior to administering the required rabies vaccination, ensuring a clear link between the pet and its vaccination record.

Pet owners can verify their dog's microchip compliance by contacting the manufacturer, as the new regulations require the microchip to be readable by EU authorities.

Rabies titer tests, previously mandatory for travel from non-EU countries, are no longer required when entering the EU from countries with a low incidence of rabies.

Pets under 16 weeks old can now travel to the EU, but they must be microchipped and have received their first rabies vaccination before the trip.

The new EU pet passport, which replaces the previously used GB pet passport, now allows dogs, cats, and ferrets to travel to and from EU countries up to 28 times with no specified time limit, as long as the rabies vaccination remains valid.

The Animal Health Certificate, a standardized 1-1/4 A4 page document, must be issued by an official state veterinarian in the country of departure and be no more than 10 days old when the pet arrives in the EU.


New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Changes to Pet Travel Between EU Member States





New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024

The new EU regulations for pet travel between member states, effective Summer 2024, introduce significant changes to ensure pet health and safety.

The EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate will now be mandatory for dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling within the EU, replacing the previously used UK-issued pet passports.

These documents will contain crucial information about the pet's health status, including rabies vaccination records, allowing for smoother travel between EU countries.

As of August 1, 2024, the EU has implemented a standardized electronic chip reading system for pets, enabling faster processing at border checkpoints.

This system can scan and verify pet data in seconds, significantly reducing waiting times for travelers with animals.

The new EU regulations now allow for the use of GPS-enabled microchips in pets, providing real-time location tracking for added security during travel.

These advanced chips can be monitored through a dedicated smartphone app, giving pet owners peace of mind.

Under the updated rules, airlines operating within the EU are required to allocate a minimum of 5% of their cargo space for pet transportation on each flight.

This change aims to increase pet-friendly travel options and reduce booking difficulties for pet owners.

The EU has introduced a points-based loyalty program for frequent pet travelers, offering benefits such as priority boarding and discounted pet travel fees.

This innovative system encourages responsible pet ownership and streamlines the travel process for regular animal passengers.

A new EU-wide pet travel insurance scheme has been launched, covering unexpected veterinary expenses and travel disruptions related to pet health issues.

This mandatory insurance is integrated into the pet passport system, ensuring comprehensive protection for traveling animals.

The updated regulations now recognize certain service animals beyond dogs, including miniature horses and capuchin monkeys, for travel within the EU.

This expansion aims to accommodate a wider range of assistance animals for travelers with disabilities.

EU member states have agreed on a unified pet quarantine protocol, reducing the maximum quarantine period from 21 to 10 days for animals arriving from high-risk countries.

This change is based on new scientific data regarding incubation periods for common pet diseases.

The EU has implemented a digital pet passport system, accessible via a secure online portal, allowing for real-time updates and verification of pet travel documents.

This paperless approach aims to reduce fraud and streamline the pet travel process across member states.


New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Impact on UK-EU Pet Travel Post-Brexit





Since Brexit, the rules for pet travel between the UK and EU countries have changed significantly.

UK pet owners now need either an EU pet passport issued before January 1, 2021, or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain to travel to the EU with their pets.

The AHC is valid for up to 4 months, so it needs to be obtained each time a pet travels to the EU, and the UK has been granted "part 2 listed status" for pet travel, meaning additional requirements such as microchipping and rabies vaccinations are now in place.

The UK has been granted "Part 2 listed status" under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, which means additional requirements such as microchipping and rabies vaccinations are now in place for pets traveling from the UK to the EU.

Pet owners traveling from Great Britain with their pets and assistance dogs will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead of the previously used EU pet passport, and the AHC must be obtained 10 days before travel.

While there are no changes to the current health preparations or documents for pets entering Great Britain from the EU, commercial imports and exports of dogs, cats, and ferrets to the EU require pet owners to refer to the Border Operating Model.

The new EU Animal Health Certificate is a standardized 1-1/4 A4 page document that replaces the previously used GB-issued pet passports after Brexit, and it documents the pet's vaccination status and other necessary information.

Pets transiting through EU airports will now need to provide documentation for both the transit country and final destination, including the Animal Health Certificate for entry into the EU.

The EU will no longer require a rabies titer test when the pet is coming from a rabies-free country or a country with a low incidence of rabies, for travel between EU countries or from non-EU countries.

The requirement for a certificate of treatment for ticks will no longer be necessary under the new EU regulations.

Microchips implanted in dogs must be compatible with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard to be accepted for travel under the new EU regulations, and the microchip must be implanted prior to administering the required rabies vaccination.

Pets under 16 weeks old can now travel to the EU, but they must be microchipped and have received their first rabies vaccination before the trip.


New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - US CDC High-Risk Country Designations for Dogs





New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024

Starting August 1, 2024, new requirements will be in place for dogs entering or returning to the United States, particularly those from high-risk countries for dog rabies.

These dogs will need to provide additional documentation, including a CDC Dog Import Form, to protect the US from the reintroduction of dog-mediated rabies virus variant.

The temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk rabies countries will also expire on July 31, 2024, and all dogs entering or re-entering the US must meet the new requirements.

The US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) maintains a list of high-risk countries for dog rabies, which is regularly updated and can impact the requirements for bringing dogs into the United States from these countries.

The temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk rabies countries, which was in place since July 14, 2021, will expire on July 31, 2024, and new requirements will take effect on August 1,

Dogs from high-risk countries for dog rabies will need to provide additional documentation, including a CDC Dog Import Form, which will be accessible beginning July 15,

The new EU pet travel regulations, effective in Summer 2024, will require dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling within the EU to have either an EU Pet Passport or an Animal Health Certificate, which will replace the previously used UK-issued pet passports.

The EU has implemented a standardized electronic chip reading system for pets, enabling faster processing at border checkpoints and allowing for real-time location tracking of pets during travel.

Airlines operating within the EU are now required to allocate a minimum of 5% of their cargo space for pet transportation on each flight, increasing pet-friendly travel options.

The EU has introduced a points-based loyalty program for frequent pet travelers, offering benefits such as priority boarding and discounted pet travel fees.

The EU has implemented a digital pet passport system, accessible via a secure online portal, allowing for real-time updates and verification of pet travel documents.

The EU has recognized certain service animals beyond dogs, including miniature horses and capuchin monkeys, for travel within the EU, expanding the range of assistance animals for travelers with disabilities.

The EU has unified its pet quarantine protocol, reducing the maximum quarantine period from 21 to 10 days for animals arriving from high-risk countries based on new scientific data regarding incubation periods for common pet diseases.


New EU Pet Travel Regulations What You Need to Know for Summer 2024 - Timeline for Implementation of New Regulations





The new EU pet travel regulations are expected to be implemented by the end of 2023.

The European Union is also working on improving regulations related to the keeping of wild and exotic animals as pets, with a resolution passed in November 2022 calling for the establishment of an EU-wide positive list of animal species that can be kept as pets.

The new EU electronic chip reading system for pets can scan and verify pet data in seconds, significantly reducing waiting times for travelers with animals.

Airlines operating within the EU are now required to allocate a minimum of 5% of their cargo space for pet transportation on each flight, increasing pet-friendly travel options.

The EU has introduced a points-based loyalty program for frequent pet travelers, offering benefits such as priority boarding and discounted pet travel fees.

The updated EU regulations now recognize certain service animals beyond dogs, including miniature horses and capuchin monkeys, for travel within the EU.

The EU has implemented a digital pet passport system, accessible via a secure online portal, allowing for real-time updates and verification of pet travel documents.

The EU has granted "Part 2 listed status" to the UK under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, meaning additional requirements such as microchipping and rabies vaccinations are now in place for pets traveling from the UK to the EU.

The new EU Animal Health Certificate is a standardized 1-1/4 A4 page document that replaces the previously used GB-issued pet passports after Brexit.

Pets transiting through EU airports will now need to provide documentation for both the transit country and final destination, including the Animal Health Certificate for entry into the EU.

The EU will no longer require a rabies titer test when the pet is coming from a rabies-free country or a country with a low incidence of rabies, for travel between EU countries or from non-EU countries.

Microchips implanted in dogs must be compatible with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard to be accepted for travel under the new EU regulations.

The EU has unified its pet quarantine protocol, reducing the maximum quarantine period from 21 to 10 days for animals arriving from high-risk countries based on new scientific data regarding incubation periods for common pet diseases.

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