Brussels: The European Union has updated its regulations concerning the non-commercial movement of pets to bolster pet safety and health within the animal health law framework.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the revised rules aim to assist pet owners and national authorities in applying these regulations by clarifying existing measures and incorporating member states' practical experiences.
Under the updated regulations, pet dogs, cats, and ferrets can travel with their owners to another EU member state, or enter the EU from a non-EU country, provided they meet specific requirements. This includes vaccination against rabies and, for pets traveling from non-EU countries, undergoing a rabies antibody test. Owners must ensure their pets possess a valid European pet passport when traveling within the EU or Northern Ireland, and a valid EU animal health certificate if coming from a non-EU country.
The new rules also stipulate a maximum of five pets per vehicle and detail the conditions for transiting pets through the EU from one non-EU country to another. Additionally, the regulations outline procedures for pets refused entry by a non-EU country and returned to the EU. Furthermore, the updated rules enhance identification requirements for pets, specifying necessary information in identification documents, such as the pet's country of origin code.
Most requirements are effective immediately, but some changes will be phased in. For instance, new animal health certificates will be mandatory from October 1, 2026, while updated ID requirements and passports will be required from January 1, 2028. Further information on these updates is available on the European Commission's website.