\n Since Brexit, changes to European Pet Passport access mean a different process for many dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between Italy and the UK.\n <\/p>\n
Since the end of the Brexit transition period at the start of 2021, the UK has no longer been part of the EU-created Pet Passport scheme.<\/p>\n
And new EES border checks<\/a> that should be operative at all Italian airports by April 10th, 2026 mean the rules may be strictly enforced than they have been in the past.<\/p>\n READ ALSO: \u2018All depends on who you get\u2019: How Italy\u2019s airports are applying EES border checks<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Here’s what this means if you are travelling with a dog, cat or a ferret.<\/p>\n You live in Italy\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n If you live in Italy and your pet’s passport was issued by your vet in Italy, then nothing changed with Brexit.<\/p>\n You can continue to use the Italian-issued passport on trips to the UK and to countries within the EU.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve relocated to Italy and only have a UK-issued Pet Passport, you need to get your Italian vet to issue you a new one.\u00a0<\/p>\n In order for this to happen, your pet must be registered with your regional anagrafe degli animali d’affezione or pet registry (this is a legal requirement for dogs even if you don’t plan on travelling).<\/p>\n READ ALSO: Five things to know if you’re moving to Italy with your dog<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n You live in the UK<\/b><\/p>\n For people who live in the UK, however, Brexit brought big changes.<\/p>\n The EU says<\/a>: “From January 1st 2021, EU pet passports issued to a pet owner resident in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel with pets from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland.”<\/p>\n However, the UK was granted ‘listed’ status by the EU, which means things are not as complicated as they might have been.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Instead of a Pet Passport, dogs, cats and ferrets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) \u2013 the big difference between this and the passport is that the AHC is only valid for one trip, so you will need a new certificate in advance of each trip to Italy.<\/p>\n Vets in the UK have been issuing AHCs since December 2020. To get one you need:<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n The cost of a certificate tends to start at around \u00a3100 but can rise to over \u00a3200 depending on which provider you use. A single certificate can cover up to five animals.<\/p>\n Once you have the certificate, it is valid for entry to the EU for just 10 days \u2013 so your appointment needs to be close to your date of travel. The certificate can only be used for one entry to the EU.<\/p>\n Once you are in Italy, the certificate is valid for onward travel to other countries within the EU for four months and for re-entry to the UK for four months. If you intend to stay longer than four months in Italy, you will need to get a new certificate in order to re-enter the UK.<\/p>\n The rules <\/a>state<\/a> that arrivals from a non-EU country should also have a written declaration that their pet’s relocation is for non-commercial reasons, although this can be in the form of a simple letter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Second-home owners<\/b><\/p>\n The situation for second-home owners is less clear-cut. <\/p>\n Anecdotally, pet owners report that some Italian vets and local health authority (ASL) offices have been happy to<\/a> issue certificates with only proof of an address in Italy (e.g. a utility bill).<\/p>\n READ ALSO:\u00a0Do renters in Italy have the right to keep pets?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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