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Travel alert!

(18 Posts)
MartavTaurus Fri 17-Apr-26 18:30:06

Please be very careful travelling to Europe with your dog. Today it was announced that pet passports can no longer be used even if you have a registered property in France or elsewhere. Only if you are a habitual resident, no interpretations on the matter. This starts in 5 days time, so don't get caught out at the port, or you'll be sent away. End of holiday.
I can direct you links if needed.

Rush out and get an animal health certificate now! You might as well throw the pet passport in the bin.
This is the EU, particularly France, being unhelpful, I must admit I'm not surprised, but hey ho!

OldFrill Fri 17-Apr-26 22:40:38

Vets are seeking clarification as the notification you are referring to, which they received today from APHA, appears to contradict the EU guidelines

Btw it's not the EU or France being unhelpful it's closing a loophole that has been widely exploited.

MartavTaurus Sat 18-Apr-26 08:52:51

Unfortunately it doesn't contradict it at all.

The new EU Regulation was ambiguous.
Defra have spent the last two months trying to get clarity on what is being implemented now. It hasn't come out of blue, but after months of consultation. This Wednesday 22nd it will be in force, which especially with a weekend in-between, gives travellers very little time to sort an AHC.

I just don't want anyone to be caught out and to risk losing their holiday.

MartavTaurus Sat 18-Apr-26 08:55:19

It's unhelpful of the EU because 3 (working) days' warning of its implementation is crazy.

Syracute Sat 18-Apr-26 14:56:35

There are many and varied interpretations on this. We will have to see how it all plays out after Wednesday. I am sure there will be an unofficial grace period.

Syracute Sat 18-Apr-26 17:03:46

I follow the FB site that is dedicated to this subject and people are writing for a clarification on this directly to the government. I expect some answers on this . Obviously, there are people who have holidays in the very near future.

MartavTaurus Sat 18-Apr-26 17:08:30

🤞 there'll be a period of grace or there'll be mayhem!

I'm not reporting this on GN as a scaremongerer or reading a random person on Facebook. It's come from the government agency. I actually know what it's like on two occasions over 30 years to have a pet refused passage when, for one reason or another, documentation is not acceptable. It's the most stressful experience.

So if you are travelling, get an AHC regardless of whether your pet already has a passport.

Peace of mind is everything. Bon voyage.

OldFrill Sat 18-Apr-26 18:11:42

I wouldn't throw a pet passport in the bin on the recommendation of one person reacting to SM reports. In the worst case scenario you may need it to get a AHC as the rabies vaccination is recorded in it.

Syracute Sat 18-Apr-26 18:19:05

I just had a reread of the comments on the FB page for Animal Healty Certificates and I think you will find some reassurance there . People have quoted letters they have sent to ferries and posted their responses. People have also contacted vets near Ferry stations for their input. Anyone with travel soon will most likely find the most updated info there. It is still disputed if APHA correctly interpreted the EU regulations properly.

MartavTaurus Sat 18-Apr-26 18:21:46

OldFrill

I wouldn't throw a pet passport in the bin on the recommendation of one person reacting to SM reports. In the worst case scenario you may need it to get a AHC as the rabies vaccination is recorded in it.

True.
But I'm posting here based on The Government document!

MartavTaurus Sat 18-Apr-26 18:23:27

Be worry free, get the AHC!

That's a good tag!

JackieBee1 Wed 22-Apr-26 14:31:40

I was told by Brittany Ferries this am that the dog EU passport will still be valid up to next Thursday (30th). I asked the woman if she was quoting from the govt. and she said no, her manager this morning. It's such a mess. I asked if everyone would be asked where they live at check in and she said yes! I'm booked to go next Weds from Poole (hopefully with my dog) so I'll keep you posted. I just don't understand why my dog's passport that we got from France that says "France" on the front cover won't be valid in France!
Exasperating.

MartavTaurus Wed 22-Apr-26 18:23:29

BF has confirmed there will be an extension.

OldFrill Wed 22-Apr-26 20:38:34

Let's hope folk didn't "throw their pet passport in the bin" as the OP suggested. No reports of anyone with a pet passport being refused travel today.

MartavTaurus Wed 22-Apr-26 20:51:14

OldFrill

Let's hope folk didn't "throw their pet passport in the bin" as the OP suggested. No reports of anyone with a pet passport being refused travel today.

You said that before on Saturday!
I think people got the message.

Actually it was meant as a cheeky tongue in cheek suggestion, after the informative first paragraph, but you may prefer to differ! 😆

I'll repeat too, be worry free, get an AHC now!

JackieBee1 Fri 24-Apr-26 07:38:35

A lovely lady at Poole Ferryport said that nothing had changed with regard to pet travel. There is also confirmation of this on Brittany Ferries website on the "pet page".
Bon route!

MartavTaurus Fri 24-Apr-26 07:58:41

JackieBee1

A lovely lady at Poole Ferryport said that nothing had changed with regard to pet travel. There is also confirmation of this on Brittany Ferries website on the "pet page".
Bon route!

Thanks. I'm coming in the opposite direction this weekend, not that the same applies, but I'm back over to France again next month.

Gov.UK clearly differs on its website:

www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/pet-passport

I don't care how many AHCs I have to pay for to have peace of mind!

JackieBee1 Fri 01-May-26 09:49:57

As promised, an update.

My husband and border collie dog on the beach at Pléneuf-Val-André on Wednesday.