Flying with your dog in Europe? We’ve researched, travelled through and verified all European airports that have official pet relief areas—and also where you can find the best unofficial spots if they don’t.
Pet relief areas at European airports
Flying with a dog in Europe is getting easier—many major European airports now offer dedicated pet relief areas.
Below you’ll find a verified list of airports with official facilities, plus tips on finding the best unofficial spots when no pet relief area is available.
And although not every airport has such a pet relief zone, in the last 10 years we at the Pet Abroad team have noticed changes for the better, with more and more airports trying to think of our furry fellow travelers.
Pet relief areas in Europe
What are pet relief areas
If you’ve ever flown with a dog, you know how valuable a pet relief area can be. It’s a small, clearly marked spot at the airport where your furry travel buddy can take a bathroom break before boarding or after landing.
Most have artificial grass or gravel, a bin and bags for waste, and often a water bowl. Some are outside before security, others are tucked away airside so you don’t have to go through all the checks again.
European airports with pet relief areas
Even though not every major airport in Europe offers pet relief areas yet (cross fingers we’ll reach that state rather sooner than later), this is too changing and more and more airports are implementing these zones and facilities for people traveling with animals.
In this article you can find a list of European airports that officially provide pet relief areas – the information is either from official sources, our own travels, or from other fellow travelers.
Information about specific airports with pet relief can be found below the map.
🐾 — First flight with dog: What to expect — ✈️
You can find pet relief areas at these airports:
Airports are listed alphabetically by country.
Belgium
Brussels Airport (BRU)
🔗 At the moment Brussels Airport have one pet relief area, which is intended for departing passengers before boarding:
- Indoor (Departure area): A special pet relief area is at the Gate B09 in the departure hall. Free dog waste bags are provided, but of course owners are expected to clean up after their pets.
Finland
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
🔗 Helsinki was among the first ones in Europe to make pet travel easier and offer pet relief areas to the travellers. As of 2026, there are three officially designated pet relief zones:
- Outdoor: Just outside the Arrivals hall near Bus Stop 18 – easy for both departures and arrivals.
- Indoor (Non‑Schengen): Terminal 2, past security near Gates 51A–D; enclosed space with artificial turf.
- Indoor (Schengen side): Located near Gate 21, accessible when departing to Schengen zones. It is open based on weather. Note from the PetAbroad: “From our experience it is almost always open, as last time we traveled it was -18°C and it was accessible! This pet relief area is located on the terrace and shares space with the smoking area.”
🐾 — Your story: From Helsinki to Malta with chihuahua — ✈️
France
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
🔗 CDG offers two official pet relief areas:
- Outdoor spot in Terminal 2F, located before security near Gate 17d. (Publicly accessible.)
- Outdoor terrace in Terminal 2E, next to Gate M50 (airside). Both are marked as “Espace canin” on signage.
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
🔗 Orly now features one official pet relief area, located in the public zone between Terminals 3 and 4—that’s landside, before security. It’s set up like a small dog park: enclosed with a double-gate system, sandy, permeable ground that stays cool, a bench, and a drinking fountain, all clearly labeled for easy identification.
Germany
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
🔗 As of 2026, Berlin Brandenburg have three designated pet relief areas which are:
- Outdoor: Just outside the Arrivals hall near Bus Stop 18 – convenient for both departures and arrivals.
- Indoor (Non-Schengen): Located post-security near Gate 51; enclosed space with artificial turf. Open 24/7.
- Seasonal Indoor (Schengen side): Located near Gate 21, accessible when departing to Schengen zones. Because it’s a seasonal zone, it is open during spring, summer and fall.
Greece
Athens International Airport (ATH)
🔗 Athens International Airport have one indoor pet relief zone, specifically for passengers traveling with pets:
- Indoor (Non‑Schengen, post‑security): The Animal Care facility is next to Gate A15 in the non‑Schengen departures area, and is accessible after passport control. It is very well marked and intended for both pets and also assistance animals.
Hungary
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
🔗 Budapest Airport has one official pet relief area, and that is an open space with basic amenities.
- Location: Outdoor area near Terminal 2A, close to the main entrance and taxi drop-off area.
Ireland
Dublin Airport (DUB)
🔗 Dublin Airport currently offers one confirmed pet relief area located in Terminal 2, after security, directly opposite Butler’s Coffee.
In early 2024, Dublin Airport also introduced a new animal screening facility in Terminal 1, serving both Terminals 1 and 2. While it’s not a pet relief area, it does make the process of checking in pets that travel in the hold much easier and less stressful for owners.
Read all about pet travelling to Ireland here.
Italy
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
🔗 Rome’s airport is very pet-friendly and has four official pet relief areas, thoughtfully placed to serve both arriving and departing passengers.
- Terminal 3, baggage claim: Indoor pet area located by carousel 14—easy to find right after landing.
- Terminal 3, arrivals (outside): An outdoor fenced zone beyond Door 2 in the arrivals area, near the Kiss & Go parking.
- Terminal 1 (arrivals only): A pet relief area inside the Schengen arrivals zone for landed travellers. But keep in mind that the entry is controlled via intercom—you’ll need to ring the bell and show you’re with your pet.
- Terminal 1 (arrivals & departures): A second Terminal 1 area accessible to both arriving and departing passengers, and is also accessed via intercom.
🐾 — ITA Airways pet travel policy here — ✈️
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)
🔗 At the Olbia Airport there is one official pet relief area located for travellers departing the beautiful island of Sardinia.
- Location: Near the gate A3.
- Features: It has shrubs and also artificial turf, which offer a compact yet practical spot for pets.
Poland
Kraków John Paul II International Airport (KRK)
🔗 At the Kraków Airport you find one outdoor pet relief area—a pet park specifically equipped for travellers’ dogs:
- Outdoor: Next to the car park P2, the pet park has a bench, waste bins, a drinking fountain, and playful obstacles like hurdles and ramps.
Actually it is a publicly accessible area, so ideal for a pre-flight or post-arrival break for your pet.
Portugal
Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS)
🔗 Lisbon Portela Airport has one pet relief area, making it easier for passengers to give their pets a break before boarding.
- Location: Outdoor, near the departures hall.
- Features: Fenced area with basic facilities, including waste bins.
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Spain
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD)
🔗 Madrid-Barajas now include several pet relief facilities to help your travels with pet:
- Terminal 1—Arrivals (landsid): A 50 m² fenced “Pet Park” (pet relief area) with a sandbox, water fountain, poop‑bag dispenser, bin, and a bench. Clearly marked and designed for safe, easy use upon arrival.
- Upcoming additions: A similar outdoor area is expected also in Terminal 4 arrivals, along with new indoor pet relief zones in boarding areas of Terminals 2, 4, and 4S.
Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)
🔗 Palma de Mallorca offers 3 pet relief zones which you can find at arrivals, departures, and also airside, so your pet can take a break whenever it wants.
- Locations:
- Arrivals, Ground Floor (landsid) – just after baggage reclaim, accessible before security.
- Departures Level 4 Terrace (landsid) – open-air terrace adjacent to departures hall, easy for a quick stop before security.
- Module C (airside) – inside the secure area, accessible only to ticketed passengers proceeding to departure gates.
- Features: Each pet zone has fencing to keep your pet safe, as well as drinking water, and is easily find as “Pet zone.”
Seville Airport (SVQ)
🔗 Pet relief areas at Seville Airport can be found in both the Arrivals and Departures halls:
- Arrivals & Departures: Equipped with artificial turf, waste bag dispensers, bins, and water bowls
Ibiza Airport (IBZ)
🔗 Ibiza Airport provides a pet area within the passenger terminal. You can find it as “Other services” on the airport’s official site as Pet zone on Floor 0, making it accessible before security.
Switzerland
Geneva Airport (GVA)
🔗 There are two pet relief areas at the Geneva airport, both landside and strategically placed to be convenient for passengers moving through those parts of the terminal:
- One is located near the children’s playground, close to gate A8.
- The other can be found in the mezzanine corridor, between the infirmary and the children’s area.
Turkey
Istanbul Airport (IST)
🔗 Istanbul airport offers total of 4 pet relief areas known as Pet Relief Rooms.
- Locations:
- Pre-security: on the Departures floor, among the check-in islands
- Post-security: two rooms on the Departures floor after passport control
- Arrivals: one room available in the Arrivals hall for newly landed passengers
Turkish Airlines has also introduced a Pet Lounge airside—a premium 250 m² space serving pets traveling in cargo mode (AVIH). It includes a 32 m² outdoor terrace and also veterinary support, although pet owners cannot enter the lounge themselves.
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United Kingdom
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
🔗 Heathrow offers multiple pet relief areas across most terminals. These areas are generally intended for assistance dogs, but passengers traveling with pets in-cabin have also reported access — depending on airline and terminal staff discretion.
Here are the official locations:
- Terminal 2 – Level −2, departures area towards Gate B.
- Terminal 3 – Level 1, near Gate 27.
- Terminal 4 – Level 2 departures, behind World Duty Free.
- Terminal 5 – Level −2, by the transit train station.
Important: If your pet is flying as cargo or checked baggage, access to these terminal relief areas may not be permitted. You may instead be directed to the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), which is separate from the main passenger terminals.
You can always check with your airline or staff at the airport once you arrive and to confirm what options are available for your pet.
🐾 — Airlines allowing dogs in cabin — ✈️
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
🔗 Even at the Gatwick Airport you can find pet relief areas and also an Animal Reception Centre – a post-arrival facility with water, bedding, and hygienic space for pets. Locations are not detailed on the official site, so we recommend to require an assistance from staff.
Also if you are travelling to or from the UK, you can check out our guide here.
London Luton Airport (LLA)
🔗 A pet relief area is available in front of the terminal, near Bus Stop T. There should be also an indoor option, and for this you can contact Special Assistance staff.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
🔗 For assistance dogs only—located airside after security near the APV building. Accessible with escort from Assisted Travel staff.
London City Airport (LCY)
🔗 Provides both landside and airside dog relief areas. The airside area is poorly marked, without soft ground or bins, so staff escort is recommended.
Unofficial pet relief areas
Not every airport has an official pet relief area, but there’s almost always a quiet spot nearby. It might be a patch of grass outside the terminal, near parking, or by a side entrance.
They’re not marked or equipped, so bring waste bags and water—but for a quick break before or after a flight, they can be a real lifesaver.
Unofficial but still good spots for pet relief are:
Airports are listed alphabetically by country.
Czech republic
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Prague Airport doesn’t have an official pet relief area and unfortunatelly is not planning to build, but there’s a convenient grassy spot right outside Terminal 2 near the departures/arrivals.
Germany
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
No pet zones here either, but if you head toward Parking Lot P36 near Terminal 1, there’s a long strip of grass. It’s not marked or fenced, but it does the job.
Munich Airport (MUC)
Munich also skips the pet area, but there’s a grassy spot near the MAC Forum between Terminals 1 and 2. It’s a bit hidden and not clearly marked, but if you’re willing to look around a little, it’s a quiet place where your dog can stretch and do their thing before the flight.
Italy
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
Bologna doesn’t offer any dog facilities, but there’s a green area near the Kiss & Fly zone in front of the terminal. It’s small, but to be honest it works just fine for a quick pit stop before you head inside with your dog.
Netherlands
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Despite a lot of conflicting information on the internet, Schiphol doesn’t have an official dog relief area, which is surprising for such a big airport.
But just outside Departure Hall 3, near the bus stop, there’s a small grassy spot and even thought it’s nothing fancy, it’s quiet, easy to find, and good enough for a quick break before heading in.
Spain
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
While Barcelona Airport does not have designated pet relief zones, travellers and us at the Pet Abroad team often use the landscaped grass area in front of Terminal 1, close to the taxis.
For those already past the security check in Terminal 1, there’s also an outdoor terrace which is accessible from the departures hall. Dogs can relieve themselves here, but as it’s not a dedicated pet area, so definitely bring water to rinse afterwards.
If you are traveling to Barcelona, you can check our TOP 3 pet-friendly hotels there.
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Tips for using pet relief areas
From the Pet Abroad team’s travels, here’s what works best: always bring water and a foldable bowl, as fountains aren’t guaranteed. Pack your own waste bags and clean up thoroughly.
Also check the ground temperature in summer to protect your dog’s paws. If your dog prefers space, aim for off-peak times. And if you discover a great unofficial spot, let us know so we can share it with other travelers! Our email is: team@petabroad.eu
🐾 — 10 tips for pet travel — ✈️
FAQs about dogs relief areas at European airports
What is a pet relief area at an airport?
A pet relief area is a designated spot at an airport where dogs and other animals can relieve themselves before or after a flight. In Europe, these can be outdoor fenced zones with grass, artificial turf, or sand, often equipped with water bowls, poop bag dispensers, and waste bins. Some airports also have indoor pet relief areas inside the terminal.
Where can I find pet relief areas at European airports?
It depends on the airport. Some have zones before security (landside), while others are only accessible after security (airside). In our article, you’ll find detailed locations for airports like Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Munich Airport (MUC), and Athens International Airport (ATH) so you know exactly where to go.
Do I have to pay to use a pet relief area?
No. Most European airports offer pet relief areas free of charge. The only thing expected from pet owners is to clean up after their animal. Always carry poop bags with you, even if the airport provides them.
Do all European airports have official pet relief areas?
Unfortunately, no. Some airports, such as Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) or Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), don’t have an official pet zone. However, in our guide you’ll also find recommended unofficial spots where your dog can comfortably take a break.
Can I use a pet relief area for my service dog?
Yes. Pet relief areas are intended for all animals, including service and assistance dogs. For example, Athens International Airport (ATH) has a clearly marked facility for assistance animals right after passport control.
What should I do if the airport doesn’t have a pet relief area?
Look for grassy patches near parking areas, taxi stands, or quiet spots outside the terminal. Many airports have unofficial but convenient places that can work in a pinch — in our guide, we list these for specific airports.