How difficult is it to travel to Europe with a dog?

Europe is an incredibly dog-friendly continent that's perfect for a country-hopping trip with your intrepid pup. There, animals mostly have the same freedom as humans to move through European Union borders without needing extra documentation, which limits the hassle.



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Traveling internationally with a pet can be complicated, more so because of the regulations and paperwork than because of the actual trip itself. The reason for all those extra rules, regulations, and procedures boils down to one main reason: rabies. Many countries are proudly rabies-free and want to keep it that way.

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Pet Passports for European Union (EU) Countries. Cats, dogs and ferrets can travel freely between most EU countries without documentation if they have what is called the EU PET PASSPORT that is issued by veterinarians within the EU.

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Flying a dog in the cabin usually costs between $125 and $200, while the cargo hold is typically over $1000. There are also licensed companies that offer international pet shipping companies — they usually charge between $1000 and $6000.

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The whole process of flying can be stressful for a dog, but those levels of stress can be greatly reduced with a few simple home comforts and reassurances. Ensuring your flight is a non-stop flight rather than one with changeovers can be a huge benefit to your dog, as can looking to travel at a suitable time.

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Pet dogs and cats travelling to an international destination are placed in a pressurised and temperature-controlled area of the cargo hold of the aeroplane. Even though it is part of the cargo hold, your per will not travel stacked on top of the baggage.

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Most airlines require that the carrier with the pet inside weighs no more than 8kg (about 17.6lbs). Alitalia is the only airline to allow slightly heavier pets in cabin on flights between the US and Europe with a maximum weight of 10kg (about 22lbs).

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Adult dogs and cats easily make it through the night without having to relieve themselves, so your pet should also be OK on most very long flights. Regardless, you'll have to line their carrier with something absorbent - a Dry Fur pad works nicely under your pet's own crate pad or thin blanket.

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Where will my pet travel in the aeroplane? Pet dogs and cats travelling to an international destination are placed in a pressurised and temperature-controlled area of the cargo hold of the aeroplane. Even though it is part of the cargo hold, your per will not travel stacked on top of the baggage.

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On the day of travel, take your dog for a long walk or run so he or she can expend as much energy as possible. Remember to feed your pet dog or cat no more than six hours before the flight. Flying on a full stomach is not recommended; feed your pet a little less than usual on the day of the flight.

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Top 6 Dog Friendly Countries in Europe
  • Italy: heaven for dogs! ...
  • Switzerland: Swiss people are very friendly towards dogs both when interacting with locals and with businesses. ...
  • Netherlands: Your life is so easy when walking around with a dog in the Netherlands.


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You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. The anti-rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel in compliance with the provisions of Annex III of Regulation (EU) 576/2013.

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You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport. Keep in mind, a “pet passport” in the U.S. refers to the extra documents you need to travel to other countries with your pet.

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Typically, large dogs are only allowed to be flown as checked baggage or cargo. Cargo is the more costly option, but it allows you to fly separately from your dog, and it is easier to track their journey since they are not attached to your passenger ticket.

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Looking for a ship for your pets? The only commercial ship that travels to Europe from the continental United States is the Queen Mary 2. As this type of travel is in much demand, reservations are normally made over a year in advance.

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In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.

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With that said, assuming your dog or cat is in very good health (as confirmed by your licensed vet) and assuming you properly prepare your pet for cargo travel (i.e. ensure he or she knows how to eat and drink from the kennel's bowls), cargo travel should be a safe travel option for your four-legged family.

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When it comes to flying with pets, one common question that pet owners often ask is whether they should sedate their pets during air travel. At PetRelocation, our straightforward answer is NO. Sedation carries various risks and is not recommended for pets during air travel.

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