Getting an EU Pet Passport

How to get a Pet Passport if you aren’t an EU resident

An EU Pet Passport is an official document containing your dog’s microchip number and proof of rabies vaccination. It eliminates the need for a complicated USDA Health Certificate every time you travel between the US and Europe. Unfortunately, it has become difficult for foreigners to obtain a Pet Passport post-BREXIT. Veterinarians in some countries are now prohibited from issuing one without an EU tax ID number and a local address.

Belgium is one of the few countries that currently allows non-residents to get an EU Pet Passport. However, if you are not an established client, you may still have difficulty finding a veterinarian willing to issue one. Like many vets in the USA, they are simply too busy to accept new patients. Several vets turned me down, including the one who issued Louie’s passport just a few years ago.

Not willing to give up, I continued to do research until I found Dr. Lieve De Rycke. The veterinarian has an office just outside the historic center of Bruges, Belgium. Because of her proximity to the Eurotunnel and ferries to the UK, she frequently assists foreigners traveling with pets. I sent Dr. De Rycke an email explaining my interest in getting an EU Pet Passport and heard back from her the next day.

The veterinarian explained that in Belgium, it is legal to issue a Pet Passport to non-EU residents. The only requirement was that she scan the microchip and administer a rabies booster. That way, she can officially record the vaccination information in the new Passport. My dog wasn’t due for his booster for a few months, but my vet at home assured me that the overlap was safe.

Making an appointment with Dr. De Rycke by email was simple. She provided me with her location and parking information in advance. We arrived a few minutes early, so I had an opportunity to talk to several British couples waiting to get their own EU Pet Passports. They were also planning to have Dr. De Rycke administer the worming tablets required for entry to the UK.

During our appointment, Dr. De Rycke told me that while it was currently legal to issue EU Pet Passports for foreigners, Belgium may change its policy at any time. If you plan on visiting the European Union soon and would like to get a passport for your pet, please visit her website for up-to-date information: https://www.dierenartsderycke.be/en.