Brittany Ferries Now Requires AHCs for GB Residents: What Changed on 1 October 2026

If you are a Great Britain resident travelling to France or Spain with a dog, cat or ferret on Brittany Ferries, there is an important practical change to be aware of. Brittany Ferries' current pet travel guidance now states that British residents can no longer use a pet passport to travel into the EU and must travel with an Animal Health Certificate.

What Brittany Ferries is now telling pet owners

Brittany Ferries' pet travel FAQ now says that British residents can no longer use any type of pet passport to travel to the EU and must have an Animal Health Certificate. It also warns that a pet presented with a passport instead of an AHC may be refused entry.

Brittany Ferries guidance: https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/pet-travel/can-i-still-use-an-old-style-or-uk-issued-pet-passport

Why 1 October 2026 matters

The date is important for another reason too. When the EU pet travel rules changed on 22 April 2026, a new Animal Health Certificate template was introduced. Official UK guidance allowed a transition period during which Official Veterinarians could continue issuing the previous AHC template up to and including 30 September 2026.

From 1 October 2026, Official Veterinarians in Great Britain must use the new AHC template. Older-format AHCs that were validly issued before 1 October remain within the EU transitional arrangements, but new certificates issued from 1 October must use the new format.

The EU pet passport issue actually changed earlier

It is worth separating the two changes. The rule affecting GB residents' use of EU pet passports came into effect on 22 April 2026. Government guidance says GB residents should no longer use EU pet passports to enter the EU from Great Britain, including passports previously issued to GB residents.

The 1 October date is therefore the point at which the new AHC template became mandatory for new certificates, while Brittany Ferries' current guidance reflects the wider 2026 position that GB residents travelling to the EU should use an AHC.

Can an EU pet passport still be used to return to Great Britain?

Yes, in the right circumstances. UK government guidance still allows qualifying EU pet passports to be used for the return journey to Great Britain. The restriction discussed here concerns the outward journey from Great Britain into the EU for GB residents.

What should you do before travelling?

If you live in Great Britain and are taking your pet to the EU, arrange an Animal Health Certificate with an Official Veterinarian. The AHC must be issued within 10 days before EU entry, and your pet must meet the microchip and rabies vaccination requirements.

At The Pet Passport Co., standard AHC pricing is £139 for 1 pet, £159 for 2 pets, £179 for 3 pets, £189 for 4 pets and £199 for 5 pets. Eligible repeat AHCs are £119 when issued within 6 months of the previous certificate.

Book online: https://www.thepetpassportco.co.uk/book-online

Official sources

Brittany Ferries pet travel FAQ: https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/pet-travel/can-i-still-use-an-old-style-or-uk-issued-pet-passport

UK government guidance on the April 2026 rule changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-eu-rules-for-pet-travel-for-gb-residents

UK carrier guidance confirming the new AHC template became mandatory from 1 October 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-travel-checks-on-pets-by-transport-carriers/pet-travel-checks-on-pets-by-transport-carriers