EU pet passport for travel

PETS travelling between European Union member states must have an official EU Pets Passport from next month.

October 1 marks the official launch date of the system that will allow pets and their owners to travel easily between member states.

Under the new rules, pets only require identification, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

However, the additional import requirements, which need to be recorded in the EU pet passport, for animals entering the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland still stand.

For example, the tick and tapeworm treatment will be recorded in the pet’s EU passport. The Defra website provides details of the steps required.

European Union regulations also require that electronic scanners that can read implanted microchips be placed at all ports of entry to EU countries.

In France the passport may be issued by a government-authorized vet who holds a mandat sanitaire from the French authorities.

In most veterinary practices in France at least one of the vets holds a mandat sanitaire; alternatively a list should be on display in every Town Hall (La Mairie).

Make sure that the vet correctly completes sections I to V of the passport.

In the UK the passport will replace the existing PETS 1 certificate and will be accepted for entry to the UK from other member states and from other qualifying countries.

It will also replace the PETS 5 and other documents currently required to enter EU countries.

Existing certificate holders will have them replaced by a passport once it expires.

June 2011: Travelling with pets between UK and France made easier

Articles relating to the old system:
Packing your PETS passport
Final leg of PETS passport

Comments

[jingle]

I found this blog on the same subject useful http://www.247travelguide.com/2007/01/20/taking-pets-abroad/#more-44

[john cessford]

email address wanted for French vet for pet passport

[Craig McGinty]

Hi John
Difficult to know exactly where you are located, but if you are in the UK or France.

But the best place to start will be Defra's own website on the PETS passport scheme at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

All the best
Craig

[Deborah Eaton]

Bonjour,

I have posted a comment under looking for long term rental, and would like to find a rescue center where I can volunteer so any suggestions are most welcome. Also my brother runs a pet/people courier service throughout Europe. For further information and prices please contact me?

Many thanks.

Debbie

[Nikki Newell]

i am moving to the Limousin in July lock, stock & Moggy. She has just had her microchip & 1 rabies jab. This is all my Vet says is needed. She is 15 years old & he doesn't see any need to overload her. He also says that as we do not intend her to travek back to the UK, she won't need a Pet Passport. I'm want to check if this is correct as I keep reading about EU Pet Passports. The Defra wensite seems mainly concerned with animals re-entering the UK. Do you know if an EU Pet Passport is required or will her Microchip & Rabies Vaccination certificates be adequate?

~Nikki~

[pam coakley]

How much will it cost to have a passport for my french dog so he can travel to England with me and how long will it take?

[Phillip Carr]

Follow the DEFRA link above (in Craig's post) for the chapter and verse, but the quick answer is that the cost may vary by vet (microchip, vaccination, blood test - in that order - are the basics. I seem to recall that I paid c.£100 in the UK 5 years ago) and 6 months have to pass between the date the vet took the blood sample that gives a satisfactory test result and when you enter the UK. The vet must record the vaccination and blood test dates in the pet passport (which he will supply). Hope that helps.

[Phillip Carr]

This link is the current one to the PETS page: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/index.htm

[Craig McGinty]

Thanks for the reply Phillip, and I've also updated the link in the piece itself.