Travelling with a Dog in the EU: Use Our Guide to Avoid Unpleasant Surprises

Hiking in the mountains, playing on the beach, splashing in the sea or just taking long walks in the forest – what would that be like without a dog? For many dog owners, a holiday is only half as enjoyable without their furry friend. Thankfully, the European Union harmonised the rules for entering with a dog in 2004 and simplified them in 2013. Find out here what you need to know for an uncomplicated holiday with your dog.

The good news: travelling with a dog within EU countries has never been easier. EU Regulation No. 576/2013 covers the entry requirements for dogs since 2013 and applies to all EU countries.

The EU pet passport can only be issued by authorised vets. Before the vet can enter the necessary information and vaccinations properly into the EU passport, the animal must be chipped according to the regulations and clearly identified with the passport. This EU ID for the dog is an identification document and vaccination certificate in one. Since the EU Regulation of 2013, special care must be taken to fill this animal passport out correctly.

EU Regulation 576/2013 requires that dogs must be electronically labelled for clear identification. To this end, dogs must have a chip implanted under the skin on the left side of the neck. This should correspond to ISO norm 11784 or 11785, if possible. For microchips of a different ISO norm, the owner must provider a corresponding reader.

Note: If the microchip cannot be read, the dog will not be allowed to enter.

A rabies vaccination is necessary for entry into EU countries. This must be entered into the pet passport and – most importantly – be valid. Rabies vaccinations from some manufacturers are valid for three years.

Ensure that your dog only receives these vaccinations and that the validity has been entered correctly into your pet passport. Important to know: validity begins 21 days after the shot.

Annual rabies vaccinations have no longer been legally required since 2004 in the EU. According to the latest veterinary science from renowned international veterinary organisations, they not only have no additional value for your dog but may actually damage its health.

Do you want to travel with your very young dog outside of Europe?

Puppies can only be vaccinated against rabies from 12 weeks of age, meaning that the immunological protection, and thereby also entry into most EU countries, is only possible from 15 weeks. Exceptions from this rule apply to only a few countries, which are listed below. To find out whether there are exceptions for the entry of a puppy that is not yet vaccinated against rabies, contact the veterinary authorities or embassy of the country in question.

No more than 5 days and no later than 24 hours prior to departure to Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway, your dog must have received treatment for tapeworms from a vet. The time of day entered in your EU pet passport serves as evidence of this.

Not all dog breeds are welcome in every European country. In France, for example, “Category 2” dogs are not granted entry. These include the American Staffordshire, Tosa and Rottweiler. For these breeds, the entry requirements are significantly restricted. If your dog is a Dobermann, Great Dane or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, entry is permitted.

Denmark is also particularly strict when it comes to allowing certain breeds to enter. Thirteen breeds are considered dangerous, which is why it is forbidden to keep, breed or enter with these dogs. This applies to all animals acquired after 17 March 2010, but also to tourists who are entering with these dogs. These breeds include the Pit Bull Terrier, the Argentinian Mastiff and the Kangal.

By the way, owners of dogs already registered in Germany that belong to a breed that cannot be imported to Germany according to the “Hundeverbringungs- und Einfuhrbeschränkungsgesetz” [Restriction of the Import and Transport of Dogs] of 12/04/2001 are still permitted to bring their dog back after going on holiday. This includes dogs such as Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their mixes.

Note: Be absolutely sure to bring the proper documentation with you!

The entry requirements for dogs according to EU Regulation 576/2013 are binding for all EU countries. However, in some countries, exceptions to this rule are allowed due to their particular security laws. This applies in particular to entry regulations for certain breeds of dogs and the import of puppies. Furthermore, countries are free to individually regulate the interaction between humans and dogs in public spaces and on public transportation. In order to avoid unpleasant surprises upon arrival or at the border, be sure to get an overview in advance using our comprehensive guide.

Only a healthy dog is capable of coping with a journey, as well as the altered environmental factors (new surroundings, climate, etc.). That’s why you should be sure to get a thorough health check-up for your dog from a vet in good time. You should also find out about the specific animal diseases found in your destination and protect your dog from them!