Key Information on the Pet Passport for European Travel

The Pet Passport Scheme is required for your Eurasier to RETURN to the UK, as the UK is so far still rabies-free.

If you live in the UK and would like to take your Eurasier on a trip to Europe orcertain non-European countries, you need what is called a Pet Passport. This replaces the old quarantine laws where you had to leave your pet in quarantine for 6 months before it was allowed back into the UK. The latter is still available (especially for countries that don’t qualify for the pet passport scheme) but it is not advisable to put your Eurasier through this.

Most European countries require at least rabies vaccinations when you travel there, although hardly anybody ever checks at the borders. 

The passport contains personal information about your pet, his/her microchip number, breed, date of birth, gender and all relevant medical information that is required by the pet passport scheme.

You will have to prepare for any trip about 8 months in advance, as this is the time it takes from the first step until you can travel. The clock starts ticking on the day that your Eurasier has their first rabies vaccination.

To qualify for the pet passport scheme your Eurasier needs to be:

  • Fitted with a microchip – this is the first step BEFORE you do anything else as any vaccination before the microchip is fitted will not be recognised
  • Be issued with a European Pet Passport
  • Be vaccinated against rabies
  • Be blood tested for rabies antibodies by a European Union approved laboratory
  • Test positive for rabies antibodies

After this date you have to wait for 6 months before you can travel with your pet.

BEFORE returning to the UK from your European trip your Eurasier has to:

  • Be treated for tapeworm (active ingredient Praziquantel; check with the vet as many don’t know this) and external parasites like ticks, not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before checking in with a PETS-approved carrier for the journey back to the UK (e.g. Eurotunnel, most ferries, principal air carriers)  
Hopefully, this information will help you to take your Eurasier with you on holiday to Europe and/or also enable you to enjoy a nice holiday or attend some shows on the Continent.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Brigitte Mordan-Grimm

For futher and more detailed information visit the DEFRA website