Pet owners - those with dogs, cats or ferrets - who want to take holidays in the EU would have to prepare for travel “at least four months ahead in advance of the date they wish to travel”.
Owners would need to prove their animals are effectively vaccinated against rabies, requiring a special test, and then obtain a health certificate.
On arrival in the EU pet owners would then be required to report to a designated entry points with the animals.
The UK is seeking discussions with the EU whereby it can become a “listed third country”, which if successfully concluded would mean only minor changes for pet owners and no need for rabies tests months in advance.
But this has not yet happened, so the government has warned that in theory “pet owners intending to travel to the EU on 30 March 2019 would need to discuss requirements with their vet before the end of November 2018”.