Pre-Brexit, individuals taking a trip in between France and the UK might acquire an EU Animal Passport for their vehicle, dog or ferret which guaranteed a problem-free transportation experience.
However given that the UK left the EU things have actually ended up being more complex– and a lot more costly– for UK homeowners wishing to take a trip to France with family pets.
You can discover a complete breakdown of the brand-new guidelines HERE, however the primary distinction for individuals residing in the UK is that that they now require an Animal Health Certificate for travel.
Unlike the Family Pet Passport, a brand-new ACH is needed for each journey and veterinarians charge around ₤ 100 (EUR118) for the certificate. So for individuals making several journeys a year, particularly those who have more than one family pet, the charges can rapidly accumulate.
UK nationals who reside in France can still gain from the EU Family Pet Passport, however previously the scenario for second-home owners has actually been a little uncertain.
Nevertheless the French Farming ministry has actually now released upgraded info on its site.
The guidelines state: “The vet can just provide a French passport to an animal holding a UK/EU passport provided prior to January first, 2021, after validating that the animal’s recognition number has actually been signed up in the Fichier nationwide d’identification des predators domestiques (I-CAD).”
I-CAD is the nationwide database that all homeowners of France should register their family pets in– discover complete information HERE
The ministry’s suggestions continues: “If not signed up, the vet might continue to sign up the animal in I-CAD, if the animal’s remain in France is longer than 3 successive months, in accordance with Short article 22 of the AM of August 1st, 2012 on the recognition of domestic predators.”
So if you are remaining in France for longer than 90 days (which generally needs a visa for human beings) your family pet can be signed up and get a Family pet Passport, however those remaining less than 3 months at a time will need to continue to utilize the AHC.
The confusion had actually emerged for second-home owners since formerly some veterinarians had actually mored than happy to provide the Passport utilizing evidence of a French address, such as energy costs. The Ministry’s judgment, nevertheless, makes it clear that this is not enabled.
So here’s a complete breakdown of the guidelines;
Residing In France
If you are residing in France full-time your family pet is entitled to an EU Animal Passport no matter your citizenship (which suggests your family pet has more travel rights than you do. Although they most likely still count on you to drive the car/book the ferryboat tickets).
Your cat, dog or ferret should be completely approximately date with their vaccinations and should be signed up in the nationwide family pet database I-CAD (complete information here).
As soon as provided, the EU Animal Passport stands for the length of the animal’s life, although you should make certain to stay up to date with their rabies vaccinations. Veterinarians in France generally charge in between EUR50-EUR100 for an assessment and finishing the Passport documents.
Residing In the UK
If you are residing in the UK and taking a trip to France (or the remainder of the EU) you will require an Animal Health Certificate for your cat, dog or ferret.
The vaccination requirements are the exact same when it comes to the EU Family Pet Passport, however an ACH stands for just 10 days after problem for entry to the EU (and after that for 4 months for onward travel within the EU).
So if you’re making several journeys in a year you will require a brand-new certificate each time.
UK veterinarians charge around ₤ 100 (EUR118) for a certificate, although rates differ in between practices. Veterinary associations in the UK are likewise alerting of hold-ups in providing certificates as lots of people start taking a trip once again after the pandemic (typically with brand-new family pets purchased throughout lockdown), so you will require to book ahead of time.
Second-home owners
Although formerly some French veterinarians had actually mored than happy to provide certificates with just evidence of an address in France, the French federal government has actually now clarified the guidelines on this, needing that family pets be signed up within the French domestic computer registry in order to get an EU Animal Passport.
This can just be done if the family pet is remaining in France for more than 3 months. The 3 months should be successive, not over the course of a year.
UK family pets’ owners will usually need a visa if they wish to remain in France for more than 3 months at a time (unless they have double citizenship with an EU nation)– discover complete information on the guidelines for individuals HERE
