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Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (Text with EEA relevance)
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Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, CHAPTER III is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 10 February 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.![]()
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1.Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I shall not be moved into [F2Great Britain from] a third country unless they fulfil the following conditions:
(a)they are marked in accordance with Article 17(1);
(b)they have received an anti-rabies vaccination that complies with the validity requirements set out in Annex III;
(c)they have undergone a rabies antibody titration test that complies with the validity requirements set out in Annex IV;
(d)they comply with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies [F3as set out in the Echinococcus multilocularis Regulation or in regulations made under] Article 19(1);
(e)they are accompanied by an identification document duly completed and issued in accordance with Article 26.
2.Pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I may be moved into [F4Great Britain from] a third country other than those listed [F5in Part 1 of Annex 2 to the Commission Implementing Regulation] only through a travellers’ point of entry listed as required pursuant to Article 34(3).
3.By way of derogation from paragraph 2, [F6the appropriate authority] may authorise registered military or search-and-rescue dogs to move through a point of entry other than a travellers’ point of entry provided that:
(a)the owner or the authorised person has applied in advance for a permit and the [F7appropriate authority] has granted such a permit; and
(b)the dogs undergo compliance checks in accordance with Article 34(2) at a place designated by the competent authority for that purpose and in accordance with the arrangements set out in the permit referred to in point (a) of this paragraph.
Textual Amendments
F2Words in Art. 10(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(7)(a)(i)
F3Words in Art. 10(1)(d) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(7)(a)(ii)
F4Words in Art. 10(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(7)(b)(i)
F5Words in Art. 10(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(7)(b)(ii)
F6Words in Art. 10(3) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(7)(c)(i)
F7Words in Art. 10(3)(a) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(7)(c)(ii)
1.Subject to paragraph 2, by way of derogation from point (b) of Article 10(1), [F8the appropriate authority] may authorise the non-commercial movement into [F9the relevant constituent territory from third countries listed in Part 1 or 2 of Annex 2 to the Commission Implementing Regulation] of pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, which are:
(a)either less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination; or
(b)between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but do not yet meet the validity requirements referred to in point 2(e) of Annex III.
2.The authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 may be granted only if:
(a)either the owner or the authorised person provides a signed declaration that from birth until the time of the non-commercial movement the pet animals have had no contact with wild animals of species susceptible to rabies; or
(b)the pet animals are accompanied by their mother, on whom they still depend, and from the identification document accompanying their mother it can be established that, before their birth, the mother received an anti-rabies vaccination which complied with the validity requirements set out in Annex III.
F103.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.[F11The appropriate authority may, by regulations], adopt rules on the format, layout and languages of the declarations referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 of this Article.F12...
Textual Amendments
F8Words in Art. 11(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(3)(a)(i)
F9Words in Art. 11(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(3)(a)(ii)
F10Art. 11(3) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(3)(b)
F11Words in Art. 11(4) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(3)(c)(i)
F12Words in Art. 11(4) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(3)(c)(ii)
1.By way of derogation from point (c) of Article 10(1), the antibody titration test shall not be required for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I that are being moved into [F13Great Britain from a third country listed in Part 1 or 2 of Annex 2 to the Commission Implementing Regulation:]
(a)either directly;
(b)following residency exclusively in one or more of those F14... third countries; or
(c)after transit through F15... a third country other than those listed [F16in Part 1 or 2 of Annex 2 to the Commission Implementing Regulation], provided that the owner or authorised person provides a signed declaration that during such transit the pet animals have had no contact with animals of species susceptible to rabies and remain secured within a means of transport or within the perimeter of an international airport.
2.[F17The appropriate authority may, by regulations], adopt rules on the format, layout and languages of the declarations referred to in point (c) of paragraph 1 of this Article. F18...
Textual Amendments
F13Words in Art. 12(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(4)(a)(i)
F14Words in Art. 12(1)(b) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(4)(a)(ii)
F15Words in Art. 12(1)(c) omitted (E.W.S.)(31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(4)(a)(iii)(aa)
F16Words in Art. 12(1)(c) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(4)(a)(iii)(bb)
F17Words in Art. 12(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(4)(b)(i)
F18Words in Art. 12(2) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(4)(b)(ii)
1.[F20The appropriate authority may, by regulations, amend the list of third countries in Part 1 of Annex 2 to the Commission Implementing Regulation by adding or removing third countries, taking account in particular of the extent to] which they demonstrate that for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, they apply rules, the content and effect of which are the same as those laid down in F21... this Section and Section 2 of Chapter VI and where applicable the [F22regulations made] pursuant to those rules.
2.[F23The appropriate authority may, by regulations, amend the list of third countries in Part 2 of Annex 2 to the Commission Implementing Regulation by adding or removing third countries, taking account in particular of the extent to] which they demonstrate that for pet animals of the species listed in Part A of Annex I, they fulfil at least the following criteria:
(a)the notification of cases of rabies to the competent authorities is obligatory;
(b)an effective surveillance system for rabies has been in place for at least two years prior to the application, a minimum requirement of which is an on-going early detection programme to ensure investigation and reporting of animals suspected of having rabies;
(c)the structure and organisation of their veterinary and control services, and the powers of such services, the supervision to which they are subject and the means at their disposal, including staff and laboratory capacity, are sufficient to:
apply and enforce national legislation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals effectively; and
guarantee the validity of the identification documents in the format provided for in Article 25 and issued in accordance with Article 26;
(d)rules on the prevention and control of rabies are in force and implemented effectively to minimise the risk of infection of pet animals, including rules on imports of pet animals from other countries or territories, and where appropriate, on:
the control of the stray dog and cat population;
the vaccination of domestic animals against rabies, in particular where rabies is present in vampire bats; and
the control and eradication of rabies in wildlife;
(e)rules are in force on the licensing and marketing of anti-rabies vaccines.
F243.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F19Art. 13 heading substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(5)(a)
F20Words in Art. 13(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(5)(b)(i)
F21Words in Art. 13(1) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(5)(b)(ii)
F22Words in Art. 13(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(5)(b)(iii)
F23Words in Art. 13(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(5)(c)
F24Art. 13(3) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(5)(d)
1.Insofar as the [F25appropriate authority has made regulations] pursuant to Article 19(1) with regard to pet animals of one of the species listed in Part B of Annex I, the non-commercial movement of pet animals of that species into a [F26constituent territory to which the regulations apply from] a third country shall be subject to compliance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article.
2.Pet animals referred to in paragraph 1 may be moved into a [F27constituent territory from] a third country only if they fulfil the following conditions:
(a)they are marked or described according to the requirements [F28in regulations made] pursuant to Article 17(2);
(b)they comply with any preventive health measures for diseases or infections other than rabies [F29set out in regulations made] pursuant to Article 19(1);
(c)they are accompanied by an identification document duly completed and issued in accordance with Article 31;
(d)they enter through a travellers’ point of entry when coming from F30... a third country other than those listed pursuant to Article 15.
F313.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F25Words in Art. 14(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(a)(i)
F26Words in Art. 14(1) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(a)(ii)
F27Words in Art. 14(2) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(b)(i)
F28Words in Art. 14(2)(a) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(b)(ii)
F29Words in Art. 14(2)(b) substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(b)(iii)
F30Words in Art. 14(2)(d) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(b)(iv)
F31Art. 14(3) omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(8)(c)
[F33The appropriate authority may, by regulations adopt a list of] third countries which have demonstrated [F34to the satisfaction of the appropriate authority] that for pet animals of the species listed in Part B of Annex I, they apply rules the content and effect of which are the same as those laid down in F35... this Section and Section 2 of Chapter VI and where applicable the [F36regulations made] pursuant to those rules.
Textual Amendments
F32Words in Art. 15 heading omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(6)(a)
F33Words in Art. 15 substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(6)(b)
F34Words in Art. 15 inserted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(6)(c)
F35Words in Art. 15 omitted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(6)(d)
F36Words in Art. 15 substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Aquatic Animal Health and Alien Species in Aquaculture, Animals, and Marketing of Seed, Plant and Propagating Material (Legislative Functions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1463), regs. 1(2)(b), 8(6)(e)
F37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Ch. 3 heading substituted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Animals, Aquatic Animal Health, Invasive Alien Species, Plant Propagating Material and Seeds (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1388), regs. 1(2)(c), 15(6)
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