Pet accessories shop Fur King can reveal that dog owners could save a whopping £1,800 with the new pet passport, which was announced in the UK-EU trade deal on Tuesday 20th May.
Keir Starmer announced two deals that would make it easier for Brits to enter the EU, with the first being that UK citizens will be able to use EU passport gates again, and the second being the reintroduction of pet passports.
Currently, pet owners in the UK must obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) from a vet each time they travel to countries within the EU and Northern Ireland as well as make sure that the pet is microchipped and is administered a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel.
A vet must also treat dogs for tapeworm and record it in the AHC prior to visiting Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway.
While prices vary by veterinary practice, The Royal Veterinary College states that an AHC costs £200, microchipping costs £25, and a rabies vaccination costs £55, the latter of which is valid for three years.
If a family goes abroad once a year for 10 years with their pet, this could cost a staggering £2,190.
It is reported that the new pet passport could cost around £200 from a qualified veterinarian. Pets are still required to be microchipped and given the same rabies vaccinations, which would cost £190 over the 10-year period, meaning the combined cost would be around £390.
This means that dog owners could save up to £1,800 with the new pet passport over the pet’s lifetime.
Estimated cost of EU travel with a pet using animal health certificate
| Animal health certificate (AHC) cost over 10 years | £2,000 (£200 x 10 years) |
| Microchip cost | £25 |
| Rabies vaccination | £165 (£55 x 3 years) |
| Total estimated cost | £2,190 |
Estimated cost of EU travel with a pet using pet passport
| Estimated pet passport cost | £200 |
| Microchip cost | £25 |
| Rabies vaccination | £165 (£55 x 3 years) |
| Total estimated cost | £390 |
Tom Sadler, Founder of Fur King, adds:
“Although it is not currently known when pet passports are returning to the UK, this is an exciting and welcome announcement for pet owners. This new process should make travelling abroad much simpler and more affordable.
“This change may encourage more pet owners to travel abroad with their furry friends, as the documentation is valid for life, as opposed to just one trip.”