Pet owners could be paying THOUSANDS more to take pets abroad under new rules
An animal health certificate (AHC) is now required for every EU trip, and could cost more than £3,500 over a pet’s lifetime
With new laws meaning UK residents can no longer use EU pet passports when travelling abroad, the comparison experts at Go.Compare pet insurance have been looking into the cost implications for pet owners – and there could be a startling increase.
EU pet passports were valid for a pet’s full lifetime, and typically cost under £100. Meanwhile, the cost of an animal health certificate varies; Go.Compare found prices ranging from £99 to £260 per pet. Additionally, animal health certificates need to be purchased for every single EU trip. This could mean over time, pet owners end up paying thousands more to travel with their pets. With the average Brit taking 1.7 holidays abroad per year,* over the course of a pet’s lifetime, animal health certificate fees could amount to as much as £3,661.80.**
EU pet passports stopped being issued in the UK after Brexit, but as they are valid for a pet’s lifetime, many Brits have been continuing to use them. However, new rules which came into effect on 22nd April mean the documents are no longer valid – and all pet owners now need an animal health certificate (AHC) to take their furry friends to the EU, or an export health certificate (EHC) for non-EU destinations.
These certificates are single use, and can last up to six months. Worryingly, there is no set cost for an animal health certificate, and fees may vary significantly between veterinary practices.
Nathan Blackler, Go.Compare pet insurance spokesperson, said: “The new rules around taking pets abroad could mean a steep cost increase for UK pet owners, and could potentially put people off travelling with their pets altogether.
“As animal health certificates are only valid for a single EU trip, this means pet owners will have to weigh up the cost – along with fees for any vaccinations their pet needs – when making travel plans.
“If you’re planning to travel with your pet, make sure to ask your vet about which vaccinations are needed, as this will vary depending on your destination. And if you’re not happy with how much your vet charges for an animal health certificate, it could be worth comparing costs with other practices.
“While it’s not a legal requirement to have travel insurance for your pet, we would definitely recommend it for your peace of mind. Some pet insurance policies include travel cover, so check the fine print to see if you’re already protected. If not, you might want to look at adding travel cover to your policy as an extra. This way, you’ll be covered if you need to make any unexpected vet visits while abroad.”
To learn more about the documentation needed to travel with your pet, visit: https://www.gocompare.com/pet-insurance/pet-passport/ .
Contact Information
Alex McCormick
Notes to editors
*https://www.abta.com/news/number-holidays-taken-person-reaches-new-high-people-seek-getaway-get-together
**Brits take an average of 1.7 holidays a year according to ABTA, and a dog’s average life expectancy is 12.5 years. If paying an average of £179.50 for an animal health certificate and taking a dog abroad 1.7 times each year for 12 years, an individual would pay a total of £3,661.80 in total in AHC fees.
For further information, please contact:
Lynsey Walden on lynsey.walden@gocompare.com, or Rubie Barker on rubie.barker@gocompare.com
Keep up-to-date with GoCompare on Twitter; @GoCompare
About Go.Compare
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When it launched in 2006, it was the first comparison site to focus on displaying policy details rather than just listing prices, with the aim of helping people to make better-informed decisions when buying their insurance. It is this approach to comparing products that secured the company an invitation to join the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) in 2008, and it is still the only comparison site to be a member of this organisation.
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