If the UK leaves the EU without a deal then those who travel to EU countries with dogs, cats and/or ferrets can expect difficulties. However, you can prepare in November 2018 to avoid these difficulties in March 2019.
Traveling with your pet now
Right now people can travel with their dogs, cats and/or ferrets from the UK to the EU or vice-versa without quarantine by using a pet passport. To get the passport the pets need a rabies vaccination and microchip.
Traveling with your pet under “no deal”
If we leave the EU with no deal the UK could become an “unlisted third country“. This means “pet owners intending to travel with their pet from the UK to EU countries would need to discuss preparations for their pet’s travel with an Official Veterinarian (OV) at least four months in advance of the date they wish to travel.” So if you plan to travell on 30th March 2019 you should need to see your OV before the end of November 2019.
How to prepare for no deal
Read the simple government guidance here or the detailed government advise here- See your Official Veterinarian (OV) – ask at your vets if they can do this
- Get a rabies vaccine NOW
- Only if it’s been 3+ years since the last one, check with your vet
- 30+ days later get a “blood titre test to demonstrate sufficient levels of rabies antibody”
- If you have done this before and your pets vaccinations have been kept up to date then you don’t need to repeat it
- 3 months after the blood test your pet can travel
- Assuming the results were okay
- 10 days before travel visit the OV to get a health certificate
- It’s valid for 10 days before travel and for four months within the EU
- A new one is needed for each trip
- On arrival in the EU, you would need to report to a designated Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE) and show proof of microchip, vaccination and the blood test result alongside their pet’s health certificate.