British pet passports will run out at the end of the year, making journeys with cats, dogs and ferrets to the EU more complicated. And for the first time, taking a pet to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK will involve red tape – and a rabies vaccination for the animal.

While animal owners from Northern Ireland will continue to have access to the EU’s pet passport scheme, those in England, Wales and Scotland will need to obtain an “animal health certificate” in advance of every visit to the European Union and Northern Ireland, showing their pet has been vaccinated against rabies.

In addition, for entry into Northern Ireland and the Republic from Great Britain, as well as to Finland and Malta, pet dogs will have to be treated against Echinococcus multilocularis  – an especially unpleasant tapeworm.

At present there are no restrictions in taking animals between any of the four UK nations. But after the Brexit transition phase ends, pet owners in Great Britain will need to get an animal health certificate issued by an official vet attesting to a rabies vaccination.

Defra says this must take place no more than 10 days before travel.

Anyone from Great Britain planning a New Year’s Day visit to Belfast with their pet will need to apply for permission by 21 December.

The certificate remains valid for four months, but only for a single journey.

EU and Northern Ireland pet owners can continue to use their pet passports to visit Great Britain.

Bill and Dee Swan from Rye in East Sussex will face the new bureaucracy when taking their German short-haired pointer, Bertie, to see family in Ireland.

Mr Swan said: “This is presumably what ‘sunlit uplands’ or ‘tremendous opportunities’ mean.”

Joe Moran, senior political adviser for the Eurogroup for Animals, said:  "These new rules, whilst at first sight may seem worrying, should come as a great relief for pet owners and their furry companions alike. 

"Yes, it will become a little more complicated to travel across the Irish Sea or the Channel than it is at present, but it could have been worse. 

"Without these rules, owners would have needed to go through a far more costly and bureaucratic process, with multiple trips to their vet, and blood tests for their pet. 

"As long as owners ensure their dogs, cats or ferrets see their veterinarian at least ten days before travel, the process will still be relatively easy."

A government spokesperson said: “It is vitally important that all pet owners planning to travel know that the rules are changing after the transition period.

“With the EU granting ‘Part 2’ listed third country status for pet travel between Great Britain and the EU, further guidance on pet travel will be published shortly.”

The rules apply only to people taking their pets with them on short trips and holidays. More complex regulations apply to commercial movements of animals.