Travelling with your dog to Europe – everything you need to know

Checking Draco’s microchip at the Folkestone Eurotunnel pet reception

If you are a dog lover, you will want to take your furry friend on some of your adventures. Well, it's perfectly possible; thousands of owners do it yearly.

Driving with your dog to Europe, everything you need to know

Many people stick to the UK when taking active holidays because taking your dog along is simple and straightforward. But how about trips to the European Alps? The French countryside? Or the Mediterranean in spring and autumn? Well, it's perfectly possible; thousands of owners do it yearly. Our beloved Draco, a yellow lab, has been to Europe each year for the last decade.

Travelling with your dog to Europe was simple before Brexit

Dogs, cats and ferrets in the UK were eligible for a UK/EU Pet Passport, which allowed them to travel freely within the EU.

Your dog was required to have a microchip to confirm the animal's identity before your vet issued a pet passport, which was valid for the animal's lifetime, plus a rabies vaccination administered and recorded 21 days before travel.

Then off you went.

Today it's complicated and can be a lot more expensive!

Because the UK/EU Pet Passport is now invalid, an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required. The AHC will typically cost £180 plus the cost of the microchip, rabies vaccination/booster and any other treatments required.

Your pet's animal health certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland

• 4 months for onward travel within the EU

• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Additionally, an EU vet must administer tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before return travel and enter the details on the AHC.

You can see that taking your dog abroad annually will cost up to £250 per annum and twice a year up to £500 per annum!

However... it is possible to find EU vets who are happy to issue British second-home owners with an EU pet passport, provided they visit the practice in person with their pet to ensure they are registered on the country's pet identification database. And that can save an awful lot of money! Be aware that a UK vet cannot register vaccinations in the EU pet passport.

So, that's the bad news out of the way.

Your journey dates must be planned ahead, giving enough time for microchipping, vaccinating and issuing the Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

Here's our complete guide to travelling with your dog to Europe

Planning your journey

Your journey dates must be planned ahead, at least 21-31 days, giving enough time for microchipping, vaccinating and issuing the Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

Holiday location

We have found Europe to be more dog-friendly than the UK! However, there are certain areas where your dog will not be welcome. Some national parks, beaches and parks ban dogs all year round or during the summer season at least. So do check that you will be welcome.

During hot weather, beaches, cities and anywhere with hard walking surfaces will cause your dog a lot of distress, so best avoided.

You must find a local vet for emergencies plus tapeworm treatment before returning to the UK.

Pet insurance

Ensure your pet's insurance covers trips abroad in the event of any injury or illness.

Accommodation

Finding dog-friendly accommodation has never been easier. All major booking sites, including Booking.com and Airbnb, have a Pet-Friendly filter, so make sure to use it when booking your main accommodation and stopovers. Add the Parking filter to ensure a convenient and secure stay.

Booking a campsite can be more problematic as many only accept dogs in the spring or autumn, or limit the number of dogs on the site. Best to check by dropping the campsite an email.

Lastly, check that there is somewhere to exercise your dog nearby. The location map on booking sites is handy; switch to Satellite to view the terrain more clearly.

Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

You must take your pet to your vet for an animal health certificate 10 days before you enter the EU. Your pet will require the following:

• a microchip

• an up-to-date rabies vaccination already or only needs booster doses to keep the vaccination up to date

• up-to-date flea and worm treatments

If your pet needs a rabies vaccination, you must wait 21 days after the vaccination date before you get an animal health certificate. Day 1 is the day after vaccination.

You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they'll need to be vaccinated again.

Booking the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle

Travelling by car train is much more convenient than a cross-channel ferry; easy check-in, drive onto the train, and 35 minutes later drive off and start your adventure.

You will pay £22 for each dog on each leg of the journey. For this, you get a fast and efficient Pet Reception check-in and exercise (poop) areas at each terminal.

You and your dog stay together in the car during the short journey – if required, there are toilets on board.

The My Eurotunnel app works well, making the booking and checking-in process effortless. You will receive a confirmation email containing a QR code; if you intend to purchase duty-free goods at the French terminal, you must present the QR code at checkout.

Making the car safe and comfortable for your dog

Over the last decade, we have developed several packing and in-car tips to help make the journey hassle-free, comfortable and safe.

Dog food, supplements and medication

Pack enough food, supplements, medication, etc., for the whole trip, plus a little extra for emergencies.

Comfort

Take your dog's bed with you. This will help to make a familiar den in the new surroundings.

In-car essentials

Keep a bag/box to hand for the journeys containing:

• Each meal bagged (food, supplements, medication)

• Ample water

• Bowls

• Brush, comb, etc.

• Poo bags

• Tick remover

• Lead and spare

• Collar with identification tab plus spare

• Towels

• Treats

• Toys

• A muzzle (some shops, restaurants, and transport systems require one)

And now it seems worth all the effort to get here

Keeping your dog safe in the car

On short journeys, our dog travels in the boot area. However, when we travel abroad, the journeys span two or three days each and we prefer to have him dog in the rear passenger compartment; this way he can see us and feel closer to us. We think he likes this!

To improve his comfort, we have built a simple platform with rear support that sits on top of the rear seats and provides a flat base for his bed to sit on. The rear seat backs are moved into an upright position and covered to keep them clean.

We fix a metal grill behind the front seats to ensure his safety. This stops him from trying to venture into the front cabin area and will prevent him from flying forward in heavy breaking or crash situations. A safety grill is a good idea if your dog travels in the boot.

By travelling in the rear passenger compartment, our dog is far away from the large rear door window and much less exposed to sunlight. When necessary, the side windows are shielded, and we have an unobstructed view through the rearview mirror.

We have looked at 'dog seatbelts'; most require the dog to wear a harness which would be uncomfortable for long periods; our dog likes to frequently change position and would tie himself in knots; many seem dangerous with potential for neck injuries. Draco is a large yellow labrador; if you have a smaller dog, a seatbelt may be suitable or you may prefer to keep it in a secured crate.

Take a break every two/hours. Driver, passengers and dogs need a toilet break and to stretch their legs. The driver benefits from a mental beak too.

Rest breaks

Driver, passengers and dogs need a toilet break and to stretch their legs. Fortunately, France has frequent rest areas on its Autoroutes called Aires where you can park, picnic and walk the dog. These are different to the primary service areas where you will buy fuel.

We take a small camping stove to prepare tea/coffee in the more peaceful Aires.

At first sight, the regulations and requirements seems daunting, but with a little planning they can be straightforward. The costs can be high if you are planning more than one trip each year.

However, the joy of having your dog with you on your adventure surely outweighs the problems!

The rules for taking a dog, cat or ferret abroad can vary depending on the country you're going to or coming from.
For more information, read the Government's guide to taking your pet abroad.

Travelling with your dog to Europe: our top 10 tips for a happy journey