The new certificate templates for dogs, cats, ferrets, and other carnivores will apply from 22 April 2026
April 16th, 2026 – Following this week’s regulation on the new EU entry and movement rules for dogs, cats, ferrets, and other pets, the Commission has now published the updated official veterinary certificate templates that put those rules into practice. Without these certificates, the new substantive requirements cannot actually be applied at borders or during intra-EU movements, making this Regulation the direct operational companion to the rules already covered.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/848, adopted on 10 April 2026 and published today, replaces three certificate models in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403. The first (CANIS-FELIS-FERRETS-INTRA) is used for commercial movements of dogs, cats, and ferrets between EU member states. The second (OTHCARN-INTRA) covers intra-EU movements of other captive carnivores, such as foxes, raccoons, and mink. The third (CANIS-FELIS-FERRETS) is used for entry into the EU from third countries. All three are replaced in their entirety to align with the updated movement and entry requirements introduced by Delegated Regulations (EU) 2026/133 and (EU) 2026/135 earlier this year.
The updated intra-EU certificate reflects changes to identification standards, conditions for moving young unvaccinated animals under twelve weeks, and Echinococcus multilocularis treatment requirements for dogs travelling to member states where the tapeworm is still a listed disease concern. The third-country entry certificate incorporates revised requirements around microchipping, grouping establishment conditions, and circumstances under which animals may be directed to quarantine or confinement on arrival rather than completing all health requirements before departure.
A transitional period applies specifically to the third-country entry certificate. Certificates issued under the old model remain valid for EU entry provided they were issued no later than 17 October 2026, with the transition window closing on 17 January 2027. No equivalent transition applies to the intra-EU models which must be used from 22 April 2026 onwards.
