How To Travel With Your Dog From The UK To Europe
Before you travel with your dog from the UK to Europe, you’ll need a valid Animal Health Certificate. You’ll also need vaccinations, worm and flea treatment, and a signed veterinary prescription for any special food.
There’s no greater thing in life than adventure. The only thing better is an adventure with your dog! They’re our best friends, and most countries in Europe agree that dogs are simply the best. But if you want to explore the world together, you need to be prepared.
Traveling with your dog throughout Europe is a lot harder now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union (EU). Things have changed, and there are new rules and regulations in place to keep everyone safe. So, you’re going to need to do your research and be prepared before you set out on your next epic adventure.
That’s why I’m here. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about how to travel with your dog from the UK to Europe.
Key Takeaways
- Always make sure your dog is microchipped and the information is updated
- Your dog will need a valid Animal Health Certificate
- A vet will also need to see your dog before it is allowed back into the UK
- Your dog’s vaccinations need to be up-to-date before they can leave
Traveling From The UK To Europe Post-Brexit
When the UK was part of the EU, travel used to be much simpler. All you needed was a pet passport to get across the border. Now, you need to get through a few more obstacles for your dog to be allowed to visit other countries on the continent. Instead of a pet passport, you’re going to need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).
Please note: The certificate must be signed, stamped and dated by an official veterinarian. Just signing the certificate is not enough and won’t be accepted by border control.
This is valid for one trip to Europe that lasts for up to four months. It can only be issued by Official Veterinarians who are part of and authorized by the APHA. This means that your registered vet might not be qualified to get the documents for you. If this is the case, you will need to use a different vet for travel purposes.
The price of an AHC varies because they are set by the vets and not the government. This means you might want to look around for different quotes, but the standard price tends to be £100. If you have multiple pets coming with you, there is often a discount to make things a little easier on your wallet.
Don’t forget about rabies & worming
Your dog will also need their booster jabs and an up-to-date rabies vaccination before they go. The UK is one of the few countries in the world that is free from rabies. The jab is there to help it stay that way. You will also need to research vets in your destination country because your dog might have to see one on the way back.
If your dog doesn’t have tapeworm treatment before they leave the destination country, they might not be allowed back into the UK. It must be administered a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 5 days before you leave. However, if you are going for a short trip that lasts less than 5 days, you can get a vet in the UK to administer the treatment instead.
Tip: You are allowed to take a maximum of five dogs abroad with you. The only time you can bring more is for an event or commercial breeding exports.
Deadlines & Timelines To Remember
Deadlines and timelines are hard, but I’ve broken it down to make things easier for you to remember. If you don’t implement these properly, you could end up not being allowed to go on your trip. We don’t want that!
- An AHC cannot be issued more than 10 days before you travel
- You have to wait 21 days after vaccinations before you can apply for an AHC
- Prescriptions for food and medication need to be recent, so make sure it’s all updated
- An AHC lasts for up to 4 months and only covers one trip
- Tapeworm treatment must be administered a minimum of 24 hours (and no later than 5 days) before returning to the UK
How To Travel With Your Dog Via Land & Sea
Traveling is a lot of fun. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do some planning to make things smoother. It starts with setting out a clear itinerary, researching your destination, and ensuring you understand where your dog is and isn’t allowed to be. I also recommend a nice, comfortable bed that smells like home to help your dog settle on the journey.
You’re going to need a strong crate that has plenty of ventilation for your car so that your dog can be comfy and relaxed throughout the journey. It’s also best to feed them little and often throughout the day. This will reduce the risk of them throwing up and keep their stomachs settled. You should also get a car-friendly bowl to stop spillages while you’re driving.
It might be tempting to keep the water aside until you stop for breaks, but driving is stressful and travel is a lot for a dog. They need access to water at all times. You can take breaks for them to do their business as needed. You’re also going to want to keep the leash attached to them while they are in the car because you don’t want to lose them in a different country.
my recommendations
Want to use a pet courier service?
Winston has traveled to both Portugal and Spain by air and by car. We used two services to help with this because at the time, my husband and I didn’t own a car. They really helped to take the stress out of the travel process. I’ve written about them in more detail in my guide to the best pet travel companies.
Your Checklist Of Things To Do
Before you go on your trip (and on the way home), there is a quick checklist of things to do. This will help you remember the important stuff so that you and your dog are properly prepared:
- Ensure your dog is microchipped and the details are updated
- Get your dog vaccinated against rabies
- Make sure they have their travel documents in order
- Ask your vet for a note for their food if it’s required
- Organise a first aid kit so that you’re always prepared for emergencies
- Pack everything your dog needs, including medications
- Have them treated for tapeworm before returning to the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Easiest Country In Europe To Bring A Dog?
Outside of the UK (which is often regarded as the most dog-friendly destination in Europe), other countries that are considered the easiest to bring a dog include Spain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and France. These countries make life easier for you as a dog owner. Our writer, Adrienne, loved taking her dogs to Italy.
Will The Eurostar Ever Allow Dogs?
Currently, the Eurostar does not allow dogs on the train. Of course, guide dogs and service dogs are an exception to this rule, but pets are not permitted. Dogs can only cross through the Euro Tunnel via car. Outsid of that you can either take a ferry or a plane. Ferries tend to be the preferred option as you can often stay with your dog for the journey.
Can You Fly From The UK With Your Dog In The Cabin?
Some airlines will allow your dog to travel with you in the cabin. But there are very few that offer this as an option. Even the airlines that do allow dogs in the cabin have restrictions, the most notable being that any cabin dog must weigh under eight kilos to be allowed there. All other dogs have to go under the plane as per standard procedure.
Are You Ready To Travel?
It might feel like there is a lot to do and very little time to get it all done, but as long as you plan in advance, everything will turn out just fine. The most important thing to remember is that you need to get your dog’s vaccinations done at least 21 days before you apply for their AHC. Without that, they won’t be able to get out of the country.
While you’re in Europe, you should also remember that laws and customs are different from the UK. Every country is different, and some are more welcoming of dogs than others. Be respectful, read up on what the rules are, and ensure your dog is well-trained and under control at all times. After all, you want this to be a relaxing and fun trip for both of you.
