Latest News About Pet Health Passport

Here’s what’s current on Pet Health Passports, based on recent publicly available information.

• EU pet passport changes (April 2026): The EU has updated rules requiring an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for Great Britain residents traveling with pets to EU countries. EU-issued pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents traveling to the EU, meaning you’ll typically need an AHC issued by an authorized veterinarian issued close to travel date. This change affects frequent travelers and those with second homes in Europe.[1][3]
• Practical impact: Expect additional vet visits, higher costs per trip (AHC fees vary, with estimates often in the low hundreds of pounds per certificate), and ensure documentation is in order within the EU destination’s specific entry requirements. Non-compliance can lead to denied entry, quarantine, or return of the pet.[1]
• Related travel guidance: Several sources highlight that travelers should verify each destination’s requirements as rules can differ by country within the EU, and that the AHC must confirm microchip status, rabies vaccination validity, and other health checks near departure.[3][1]
• Digital/certification apps: In some markets there are digital platforms aiming to capture vaccination records securely (often via QR codes linked to a veterinarian) but these are not official substitutes for the mandatory AHC when traveling from GB to the EU. Always confirm with official authorities about admissibility of any digital record for travel.[2][6][9]

Illustrative example

• If you’re a UK resident planning to travel to France with a dog in 2026, you will likely need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate from your vet shortly before departure, rather than relying on an EU pet passport you held previously, and you should budget for the vet visit fee in addition to typical vaccination requirements.[1]

Would you like me to tailor this to your situation in Marseille, or check the specific entry requirements for a particular EU country you plan to visit with a pet? I can also summarize official government guidance for UK residents traveling to the EU with pets.

Citations:

• EU pet passport changes and Animal Health Certificate requirement for GB residents traveling to the EU.[1]
• Details on the replacement of EU pet passports with AHC and related travel implications.[3]
• General notes on digital vaccination records and their role in pet health documentation.[9][2]