The UK-EU ‘pet passport’ could be a money saver – ATV Today

Pet accessories shop Fur King can reveal that dog owners could save a whopping £1,800 with the new pet passport, which was announced in the UK-EU trade deal on Tuesday 20th May. Keir Starmer announced two deals that would make it easier for Brits to enter the EU, with the first being that UK citizens will be able to use EU passport gates again, and the second being the reintroduction of pet passports.

Currently, pet owners in the UK must obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) from a vet each time they travel to countries within the EU and Northern Ireland as well as make sure that the pet is microchipped and is administered a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel.

A vet must also treat dogs for tapeworm and record it in the AHC prior to visiting Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway. The Royal Veterinary College states that an AHC costs £200, microchipping costs £25, and a rabies vaccination costs £55, the latter of which is valid for three years.

If a family goes abroad once a year for 10 years with their pet, this could cost a staggering £2,190. It is reported that the new pet passport could cost around £200 from a qualified veterinarian. Pets are still required to be microchipped and given the same rabies vaccinations, which would cost £190 over the 10-year period, meaning the combined cost would be around £390. 

This means that dog owners could save up to £1,800 with the new pet passport over the pet’s lifetime. 

Estimated cost of EU travel with a pet using animal health certificate

Estimated cost of EU travel with a pet using pet passport