Dog-friendly travel in Europe
Europe is the easiest place in the world to explore with a dog. Here is the honest, up to date version of what you need in 2026, from the paperwork to the cafe terraces, with no fuss and no surprises at the border.
Across much of the continent, dogs are part of public life rather than a problem to be managed. They join their owners on trains, in shops and under restaurant tables every day. Getting there with your own dog is mostly a question of doing the paperwork early, then relaxing into how welcome you both will feel once you arrive.
The paperwork, in plain English
EU pet travel runs on one simple chain: a microchip, a rabies vaccination, and a document that ties them together.
A microchip first
Your dog needs an ISO standard microchip (a clearly readable tattoo only counts if it was applied before 3 July 2011). The chip is the anchor for every other document, so it has to come before the rabies jab.
A valid rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination is required across the EU and must be given after the microchip. Plan ahead, because a first vaccination typically needs around 21 days to take effect before you can travel.
EU residents: a pet passport
If you live in the EU, a European pet passport from an authorised vet covers travel between EU countries. It records the chip number and vaccination history and stays valid for life as long as the rabies cover is in date.
Visitors: an Animal Health Certificate
Travelling in from outside the EU (Great Britain included since Brexit) means an EU Animal Health Certificate from an official vet, issued within 10 days of arrival.
What changed in 2026
New EU pet travel rules came into force on 22 April 2026 under Commission Regulation 2026/131. A few things are worth knowing before you book:
- Great Britain residents can no longer use an EU pet passport to enter the EU, even an older one. You now need an Animal Health Certificate for each trip out of GB.
- That certificate now stretches further once you have it: it covers onward travel inside the EU and re-entry to Great Britain for up to six months, while your rabies cover lasts.
- Some destinations free of the Echinococcus tapeworm, namely Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway, still require a vet to give a tapeworm treatment shortly before you arrive.
- Private vehicles now carry a limit of five pets per car for non-commercial travel, and if a friend brings your dog without you, they need your written permission with the documents.
Rules can differ by member state, so always check the entry requirements for your specific destination before you travel.
Where dogs are simply welcome
The real joy of European travel with a dog is how ordinary it feels. You will see dogs dozing under restaurant tables and riding city metros as a matter of course. Customs vary by country, so it pays to know roughly what to expect.
France
Dogs are a familiar sight under restaurant tables, and most cafes welcome a calm dog on the terrace.
Germany
Famously relaxed about dogs in shops, beer gardens and on public transport, often for a small fare.
Austria
Well-behaved dogs ride the Vienna U-Bahn, usually muzzled and leashed on the metro.
Italy
Trains, piazzas and many trattorias are happy to seat you with a dog at your feet.
Switzerland
Scenic rail travel is genuinely dog-friendly, with dog tickets on longer journeys.
Netherlands
Canal-side terraces in Amsterdam treat dogs as regulars rather than exceptions.
Trains beat planes for most dogs
Europe's rail network is the gentlest way to travel with a dog. Smaller dogs often ride free in a carrier, while larger dogs usually need a low-cost ticket and a muzzle on board. There are no holds, no crates and no anxious hours apart, just the two of you watching the scenery roll past.
Check each operator's pet policy when you book, since the rules on muzzles, fares and peak-time restrictions vary from country to country.
A simple packing checklist
- 1Travel documents: passport or Animal Health Certificate, plus your vet's contact details.
- 2A collapsible water bowl and a few days of your dog's usual food.
- 3A well-fitting harness, a spare lead and a muzzle, which some transport networks ask for.
- 4Poo bags, a towel for muddy paws and any regular medication.
- 5A photo of your dog and your chip number saved on your phone, in case you are ever separated.
One small thing makes dog travel easier
Travelling with a dog means pulling up vet locations, checking train pet policies, translating a menu and finding the nearest green space, all on the move. A rufly travel eSIM gives you unlimited data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queues and your home number left untouched for calls.
And because we are built around dogs, 10% of every order value goes to shelters that feed, treat and house street dogs. Every transfer is published, so you can see exactly where it lands.