Europe is one of the most genuinely pet-friendly travel destinations in the world. Dogs sit under café tables in Paris. They ride on trams in Amsterdam. They walk mountain trails in Switzerland and doze on overnight sleepers heading south through Italy. Travelling around Europe with a dog or cat is not just possible — for many people, it's a highlight of the trip.
But it requires a bit of navigating. The documentation landscape changed significantly post-Brexit. New EU pet travel rules came into force in April 2026. Train policies vary dramatically by country and operator. And the low-cost airline question — which carriers actually accept your pet — still catches people out constantly.
This guide covers everything: the EU pet passport and who can get one, the rules for crossing borders (including the important Schengen vs. non-Schengen distinction), how train travel works across the continent, ferry and ground transport options, the airline picture for European routes, and the country-specific details that trip people up.
Travelling from outside the EU? If you're coming from the UK, US, or another non-EU country and need to understand entry documents, rabies requirements, and country-specific import rules, read our companion guide first: International Pet Travel Requirements: The Complete Guide. This article focuses on moving around within Europe once you're there — and the rules for EU residents travelling between member states.
The EU Pet Passport is an official standardised document issued to pet owners resident in EU member states (and certain associated territories). It is valid for dogs, cats, and ferrets only — if you're travelling with a rabbit, bird, reptile, or rodent, you'll need to check the national rules of each country you visit.
The passport contains:
An EU Pet Passport is valid for your pet's lifetime — provided the health information inside it, particularly the rabies vaccination, remains current. If the vaccination lapses and needs to be renewed, it is updated in the same passport document. You get it from any authorised vet in an EU member state.
The EU Pet Passport is issued only to pet owners who are resident in the EU (or in listed associated territories — more on those below). If you live in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, or any other EU member state, your vet can issue one.
The passport is also accepted from pets entering the EU from: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, Vatican City, Gibraltar, Greenland, the Faroe Islands.
Critical post-Brexit note: Since 2021, EU pet passports issued to residents of Great Britain are no longer valid for travel from Great Britain into the EU or Northern Ireland. If you are a UK resident, you cannot obtain or use an EU Pet Passport. Instead, you need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every trip. This is one of the most significant practical changes that Brexit introduced to European pet travel.
From 22 April 2026, the EU formalised and tightened the mandatory use of the EU Pet Passport for non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets between EU member states. Previously, enforcement had been inconsistent across the bloc. The 2026 framework brings stricter, more consistent documentation verification at borders — meaning minor inconsistencies that may have "passed" before are less likely to slide now.
Specifically, the 2026 changes strengthen enforcement around:
The practical effect for most EU residents travelling within Europe is simple: make sure your EU Pet Passport is up to date, the rabies vaccination hasn't lapsed, and the chip number on the document matches what's in your pet. If all of that is current, intra-EU travel remains straightforward.
If your pet doesn't have an EU Pet Passport — because you live in the UK, the US, or any other non-EU country — you need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) to enter the EU. This is a single-use document, which means:
For UK residents, this has become a significant ongoing cost and planning requirement — where previously a UK-issued pet passport covered travel freely, each trip to Europe now requires a fresh AHC from an Official Vet (not a standard vet), costing approximately £150–£250 each time.
This is an area that confuses a lot of people, so let's be clear about what the Schengen Area is and how it affects pet travel.
The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries that have abolished passport controls at their shared internal borders. If you're travelling between two Schengen countries — say France to Germany, or Spain to Portugal — there are no border checks for you as a traveller. In theory, this should also simplify pet travel between those countries.
Schengen member states (as of 2026) include: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Notable non-Schengen countries relevant to European pet travel: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Bulgaria (acceding).
Within the Schengen Area, internal border checks are typically absent — meaning you can drive from France into Germany or Spain into France without stopping. Your EU Pet Passport (or AHC, if you're a non-EU resident using it for the full 4-month validity) technically covers this movement without needing new documentation at each crossing.
However, there are important caveats:
Documentation still needs to be in order. The absence of routine border checks doesn't mean rules don't apply. Spot checks happen, and if your pet's documentation isn't correct, you're still in breach of the regulations.
Non-Schengen borders are different. Crossing from a Schengen country into Ireland or the UK, or from the EU into Switzerland (Schengen but non-EU), involves explicit border checks where your pet's documents will be verified. Ireland and the UK have stricter entry requirements than most EU countries — including the mandatory tapeworm treatment for dogs entering the UK, Ireland, Finland, Malta, and Norway.
Some countries have additional requirements. Even within the EU, certain countries have their own national rules on top of the baseline EU requirements. Finland and Malta, for example, have stricter controls around tapeworm. Always check the specific national requirements of your destination, not just the blanket EU rules.
This is the section most European pet travel guides barely touch — and it's one of the most important, because train travel is genuinely one of the best ways to move around Europe with a dog or cat. It's often lower-stress than flying, more comfortable than a long car journey, and allows your pet to travel visibly and with you the entire time.
The rules vary significantly by country and operator. Here's a country-by-country breakdown of the key ones.
Let's address the elephant in the room first, because it affects any pet owner travelling from the UK to mainland Europe by train.
Pets are not allowed on trains to and from London on Eurostar, between Brussels and Lille, or on Eurostar Sun and Snow routes. However, you can travel with a guide or assistance dog or cat — but you'll need to contact Eurostar at least 24 hours before your journey.
Pets are welcome on all other Eurostar routes between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. On those trains, small domestic animals weighing less than 6kg travel free of charge, provided they travel in a carrier (maximum 45 × 30 × 25cm). Larger dogs that don't fit in a carrier need a Dog Ticket (€30) purchased from the train manager. Your dog must sit on your lap or on the floor of the coach, on a lead and muzzled.
The practical takeaway: if you're travelling from the UK to France by train, Eurostar is not an option for your pet. The alternatives are Eurotunnel Le Shuttle (your pet travels in the car in the tunnel), or a ferry crossing — the only ferry operators that allow foot passengers to bring dogs are Stena Line (Harwich–Hook of Holland), P&O (Hull–Rotterdam), and DFDS (Newhaven–Dieppe and Newcastle–Amsterdam).
Once you're on the continent and off UK-bound routes, Eurostar's Red services (formerly Thalys) between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands do accept pets.
France has a well-developed and genuinely pet-friendly rail network. Small pets in a carrier (maximum 45 × 30 × 25cm) travel on a fixed fare starting from €10 for each TGV INOUI or INTERCITÉS train. Dogs on a lead and muzzled can also travel for the same fare, remaining at your feet throughout the journey.
For international routes on SNCF trains: for travel to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Belgium (Brussels), you pay €10 for a small pet in a container, or €20 for a dog on a lead. For TGV INOUI services to Luxembourg and Freiburg im Breisgau, a single fare of €10 applies regardless of the animal.
Night trains on INTERCITÉS services allow pets in seated areas for €19 — but not in couchette cars, unless you book a private compartment, in which case your pet travels free.
Germany is very dog-friendly by European standards. For German ICE trains operated by DB, if you want to take a dog on an international journey to and from Germany, you can book on DB as though you were making a national journey — covering routes to Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Small dogs in a carrier travel free. For larger dogs, add a dog as a passenger at the time of booking — the price is 50% of the adult fare. Dogs travelling on leashes must be muzzled. DB dog tickets can be tricky to buy online, so it's often easiest to buy your own ticket in advance and then purchase the dog ticket at the station.
Italy has a generous and practical approach to rail pet travel. Dogs, cats, and other small pets can travel free of charge in a pet carrier with a maximum size of 70 × 30 × 50cm. Larger dogs are permitted too — each passenger may travel with a dog of any size with the relevant ticket, provided the animal is kept on a leash and wearing a muzzle. Dog tickets cost €5 for Sunday to Friday journeys, and just €1 on Saturdays.
Dog owners must have a dog registration certificate and health card (or a pet passport) to be shown when purchasing the ticket and during transit if asked. If you don't have the certificate onboard, you could be fined and possibly asked to disembark at the next stop.
One practical note: muzzles are mandatory for larger dogs on Italian trains. If you're crossing into Italy from Switzerland, remember to put the muzzle on at the border — the rules change as the train crosses.
Spain is the most restrictive major European rail network for larger dogs. Small domestic pets defined as dogs, cats, ferrets, and birds no heavier than 10kg can be carried in a suitable carrier not exceeding 60 × 35 × 35cm. Larger dogs are not permitted on any Spanish trains.
The high-speed RENFE-SNCF services between France and Spain also do not accept dogs over 10kg. If you have a large dog and want to travel to Spain, ground transport or a domestic flight (on a pet-friendly carrier) are the practical options.
If a dog can be fitted in a pet carrier or container measuring no more than 30 × 55 × 30cm, no ticket is required. If it's too large for the container, a pet supplement ticket is required at a flat rate of €3 for any journey within Belgium. Dogs not in containers do not have to be muzzled, but a conductor may request it.
Small pets of less than 10kg can travel in carriers on Dutch domestic NS and Arriva trains at no cost. Larger dogs are charged a day ticket of approximately €3.10, purchased at the station from ticket counters or machines.
On Railjet trains from Austria to Czechia, Germany, Hungary, and Italy, book tickets on ÖBB as though taking a national journey within Austria. Small pets in approved carriers are free. Larger dogs require a ticket at a reduced fare, must be on a lead and muzzled.
Night trains are increasingly popular in Europe as a sustainable and comfortable alternative to short-haul flying — and for pet owners, they have an important advantage: your pet travels with you for the full overnight journey without the stress of a cargo hold.
The key rules to know:
Ferries remain one of the most pet-friendly ways to cross sea borders in Europe, and they're often the best option for larger dogs that can't fly in cabin.
English Channel / North Sea crossings:
Most Dover–Calais ferries do not allow foot passengers to bring pets — you need to be in a vehicle for that crossing.
Irish Sea crossings:
Mediterranean and Baltic routes:
On most ferries, pets travel in one of three ways:
For crossings over a few hours, the pet kennel or cabin option is significantly kinder than leaving an animal in a hot or cold car. Always book pet accommodation in advance — spaces are limited, especially in summer.
Documentation for ferry crossings into the UK: Your pet needs a microchip, valid rabies vaccination, an AHC (for non-EU pets) or valid EU Pet Passport, and — for dogs — tapeworm treatment administered 24–120 hours before arrival. The ferry operator will check these documents before boarding.
For flexibility, comfort, and cost-effectiveness, driving yourself remains the default for many European pet owners — and it's genuinely excellent for dogs, who often love a car journey.
Key considerations for cross-border road travel in Europe:
For owners who can't or don't want to make a long drive, professional ground transport services are an increasingly good option across Europe. Purpose-built vans with individual kennels, climate control, and experienced handlers run regular routes across popular European corridors.
Typical routes served by European pet transport specialists include:
Shared van services on popular routes can cost £200–£600 per animal for a UK-to-Spain journey, for example — often comparable to the cost of hold cargo, with significantly less stress for most dogs.
For a full breakdown of ground transport types and how to evaluate providers, see our guide: Pet Transport Services Explained: Couriers, Vans & Ground Travel.
The mainstream European carriers — Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Vueling, Iberia, TAP, Aegean, Finnair, and Brussels Airlines among them — generally accept small pets (up to 8kg or 10kg including carrier) in the cabin on European routes. This is covered in detail in our full comparison: Airline Pet Policies Compared: Which European Airlines Allow Dogs & Cats in 2026.
The short version for European travel:
The main budget airlines that don't allow pets in the cabin are Corendon Airlines and its Maltese subsidiary, easyJet and its subsidiaries, Norse Atlantic and its UK subsidiary, Ryanair, and Wizz Air and its subsidiaries.
This is the single most important airline fact for European pet travel: the cheapest flights in Europe don't take pets. If you're automatically reaching for Ryanair or easyJet for a European short-break with your dog, you'll need a different plan.
The practical implication is that flying with a pet around Europe is more expensive than flying without one — not just because of the pet fee, but because you're limited to carriers that charge more for their base tickets. Factor this into your overall travel budget when comparing flying versus ground alternatives.
No pet can arrive in the UK in the cabin of any commercial aircraft — regardless of airline, size, or documentation. Pets entering the UK must travel as cargo. If your European journey includes a return to the UK by air, your pet travels as hold cargo, booked through IAG Cargo or PetAir UK depending on the carrier.
For many people, this makes the Eurotunnel or a pet-friendly ferry crossing the far simpler option for UK–Europe journeys.
Dog-friendly culture makes France one of the best European countries to visit with a pet. Dogs are permitted in many restaurants and cafés, public transport is accessible, and the rail network is well set up for pet travel. Watch out for the occasional arrêté municipal (local bylaw) restricting dogs from beaches — these vary by town and time of year.
Excellent destination for dogs once you're there — but the RENFE train restriction (no dogs over 10kg) is a planning constraint if you're moving between cities without a car. Ground transport or domestic flights (check cabin pet availability on Vueling or Iberia) are the alternatives for larger dogs.
One of the most dog-friendly countries in Europe by any measure. Dogs are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels. The DB rail network is accessible for all dog sizes. No particular documentation gotchas beyond standard EU requirements.
Increasingly pet-friendly, with the ENAC regulatory changes of 2025–26 allowing larger dogs in aircraft cabins on domestic routes. Train travel is practical for all sizes. Note the mandatory muzzle rule on trains for dogs not in carriers, and have your canine health booklet or passport with you at all times.
Ireland is non-Schengen and has its own strict biosecurity rules. Dogs entering Ireland from Great Britain or other EU countries must have a microchip, valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days prior), and an EU Pet Passport or AHC. Dogs must also receive tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival. Ireland does not allow pets to arrive in the aircraft cabin.
Both countries participate in the Schengen Area and accept the EU Pet Passport. Tapeworm treatment is required for dogs entering Norway. Iceland has additional requirements including a health certificate and prior notification — it's worth checking Iceland's government guidance directly given its biosecurity sensitivity as an island nation.
Schengen but non-EU, Switzerland accepts EU Pet Passports and has well-aligned animal health rules. The Swiss rail network (SBB) is excellent for pet travel — dogs in carriers travel free, larger dogs require a ticket at half the adult fare. Muzzles are not required on Swiss trains.
| Method | Pet-Friendly? | Best For | Key Watch-Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU train (France, Germany, Italy) | ✅ Yes | All sizes | Muzzle rules vary by country |
| Eurostar (London routes) | ❌ No pets | — | Use Eurotunnel or ferry instead |
| Eurostar Red (Belgium/France/Germany/Netherlands) | ✅ Yes | Small & large dogs | €30 dog ticket for large dogs |
| Spanish RENFE trains | ⚠️ Small only | Under 10kg in carrier | No large dogs on any Spanish train |
| Eurotunnel Le Shuttle | ✅ Yes (in car) | All sizes | Pet stays in vehicle |
| Ferry (most routes) | ✅ Yes | All sizes | Book pet space in advance |
| Full-service airlines (Air France, Lufthansa etc.) | ✅ Cabin (small) / Hold (large) | Small pets in cabin | 8–10kg combined limit |
| Budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air) | ❌ No | — | No pets at all, only assistance dogs |
| Own car | ✅ Yes | All sizes, all distances | Documentation required for border crossings |
| Professional courier/van | ✅ Yes | All sizes | Book early on popular routes |
Planning a European trip with your pet means making decisions across multiple transport legs — and often combining methods. A ferry crossing, a train journey through France, an airport transfer in Barcelona. Each one has its own rules and its own logistics.
Get Pet Go is the platform that helps you find verified pet transport services for every ground-based leg of that journey. Search by pet size, travel type, date, and destination to find providers who know European routes, understand the documentation requirements, and have the equipment to move your pet safely and comfortably.
Whether you're using Get Pet Go to find an airport transfer for your cat, a door-to-door courier from the UK to Portugal, or a shared van service on a popular European corridor, every provider on the platform is there specifically for pet travel — not as an afterthought.
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If you are an EU resident, yes — an EU Pet Passport is mandatory for non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets between EU member states as of April 2026. It is obtained from any authorised vet in an EU member state. If you are a UK resident or from another non-EU country, you cannot get an EU Pet Passport and will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead, issued within 10 days of each entry into the EU.
Not on routes to or from London. Eurostar does not permit pets on trains between London and mainland Europe — only certified assistance dogs are accepted on these services. On Eurostar's Red routes (formerly Thalys) between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, pets are welcome. Dogs under 6kg in a carrier travel free; larger dogs require a €30 Dog Ticket, must be on a lead and muzzled.
They vary significantly by country. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland all allow dogs of all sizes on most trains, usually requiring a ticket or muzzle for larger dogs. Spain only allows pets up to 10kg in a carrier on trains — larger dogs are not permitted. Eurostar London routes do not allow any pets. Always check the specific operator's rules before travelling.
An EU Pet Passport is a lifetime document for pets resident in the EU — valid for repeated travel as long as the rabies vaccination is kept current. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is a single-use document for pets entering the EU from a non-EU country, valid for 4 months of intra-EU travel once issued, and must be renewed for each re-entry. UK residents must use an AHC for every trip to Europe since Brexit.
Within the Schengen Area, there are typically no passport checks at internal borders — but your pet's documentation must still be legally in order. An EU Pet Passport with a current rabies vaccination covers intra-Schengen movement. Spot checks happen, and certain countries (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway) have additional requirements like tapeworm treatment even within a broader Schengen/EU framework.
Yes — ferries are one of the most pet-friendly transport options in Europe. Most accept pets in vehicles or in dedicated pet kennels. Some Brittany Ferries routes offer pet-friendly cabins where your dog can stay with you. Always book pet accommodation in advance; spaces are limited. Foot passengers with dogs can use DFDS, Stena Line, and P&O on selected routes — but most Dover–Calais ferries require you to be in a vehicle.
The main European budget carriers — Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Jet2 — do not allow pets in the cabin or hold, only certified assistance dogs. This is a hard policy, not a size restriction. For pet travel by air in Europe, you'll need to use a full-service carrier like Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Vueling, or similar. Pet fees on these carriers typically run €35–€125 per journey within Europe.
UK residents can no longer use a UK-issued pet passport for travel to EU countries — these are no longer valid since 2021. For every trip to Europe, UK residents need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of travel. The AHC costs approximately £150–£250 each time and must be endorsed. For return to the UK, dogs also require tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival.
Most EU member states do not require quarantine if documentation is correct. However, some island nations or countries with strict biosecurity rules may impose quarantine if documentation is incomplete or if a rabies vaccination has lapsed. Iceland has additional requirements for entry. Always check the specific requirements for your destination country's official government authority.
Yes. Get Pet Go lists verified pet transport services across Europe — including couriers, dedicated transport vans, airport transfers, and ferry-adjacent ground services. You can filter by pet size, travel type, and availability, making it straightforward to find providers for your specific European route.
This guide reflects rules and policies as of April 2026. European pet travel regulations, ferry policies, airline rules, and train operator conditions change regularly. Always verify current requirements with the official government authority of your destination country, your airline or rail operator, and an accredited veterinarian before travel.
Last updated: April 2026