Travelling with pets in Europe means following two sets of rules: the country’s entry requirements and the airline’s own policy. This guide brings together the essentials — so you know exactly what documents are needed and how airlines handle pet travel across Europe.
Pet travel requirements in Europe – by country and airline
When you are getting ready to travel with a dog or a cat in Europe, there are two sets of rules: what the country requires, and what the airline demands. And both matter equally.
Even if your pet’s papers are perfectly valid for border control, the airline can still refuse boarding if the carrier doesn’t match their standards or the weight is over their limit. And the other way round: meeting the airline’s rules won’t help if your documents don’t pass at customs.
1. Country requirements
Every country in Europe works under the same EU rulebok, but of course the details can still vary. Altought the basics are always the same: your pet must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have the right travel document. Inside the EU this is usually the Pet Passport. From outside the EU or from the UK, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an official veterinarian not earlier than ten days before entry. Once you’re inside the EU, the same AHC covers you for up to four months of onward travel, provided the rabies jab is valid.
Then come the extras. Some countries demand tapeworm treatment before arrival — Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway all apply this rule, and it has to be administered one to five days before travel. A few states also insist on entry through a specific “travellers’ point of entry”, where vets are on duty to check documents on arrival. And in rare cases, such as Malta, there can be a pre-approval system where you register your dog online before you fly in.
Examples of country requirements
United Kingdom
After Brexit, the UK no longer accepts EU Pet Passports. Entry requires an Animal Health Certificate issued within ten days of travel, plus tapeworm treatment for dogs given one to five days before arrival.
Malta
Malta follows EU rules but is stricter than most. Dogs must be pre-approved online before the flight and checked by an official vet at the airport. Tapeworm treatment is also mandatory.
United States
Flying from the US into the EU requires an AHC endorsed by the USDA. The process involves microchip verification, rabies vaccination, and a vet check, and must be approved by the official authority. Without that endorsement, entry will be refused.
France
For EU-based travellers, a valid Pet Passport is enough. From outside the EU, an AHC is required. France is one of the top dog travel destinations in Europe, especially Paris and the South of France.
Spain
Spain applies the standard EU rules. Rabies vaccination is strictly enforced and must be at least 21 days old if it was the first jab. The same paperwork covers travel to the Canary Islands and Balearics.
Italy
Italy follows EU standards but made headlines in 2025 by allowing dogs over eight kilos in cabin on certain domestic routes. A first in Europe — though only on selected Italian airlines.
Germany
Germany accepts Pet Passports and AHCs but has additional breed bans. Dogs such as Pit Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Terriers cannot be brought into the country at all, regardless of documents.
Portugal
The mainland, Madeira and the Azores all follow the same rules. A Pet Passport or AHC is required. Flights to the islands often have limited pet hold capacity, so early booking is essential.
Greece
EU documents apply as normal. The only catch: not all island airports are approved entry points for pets. For many trips you may need to arrive first via Athens or Thessaloniki.
2. Airline requirements
Airlines do not care only about the paperwork. Their main focus is how and where the animal will travel. Weight and size are usually the deciding factors. Dogs under eight kilos including the bag often fly in the cabin. Larger ones usually go in the hold, in a pressurised and temperature-controlled compartment. Carriers must be IATA-approved and sized so the animal can stand, turn and lie down comfortably.
Each airline adds its own layer of rules. Lufthansa accepts pets in cabin up to eight kilos, with a soft-sided carrier (here are our top 5 travel bags) that fits under the seat. Air France has a similar limit but slightly different carrier dimensions. Ryanair, on the other hand, does not accept pets at all — only assistance dogs on certain routes. These differences are not negotiable. If your pet does not meet the airline’s exact policy, boarding will be refused.
Documents are also checked at check-in. Even if your dog has a Pet Passport or an AHC, the airline staff will go through it page by page before issuing a boarding pass. That is why online check-in is usually impossible when flying with pets.
🐾 — Complete guide: Flying with cats — ✈️
Examples of airline requirements
Lufthansa
Accepts pets in cabin up to 8 kg including carrier. Larger dogs travel in the hold. Brachycephalic breeds are not accepted in the hold for safety reasons. Booking must be requested at least 72 hours in advance.
Check our full guide on pet policy in Lufthansa here.
Air France
Allows cats and dogs in cabin up to 8 kg with a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. Larger pets travel as checked baggage or cargo. Snub-nosed breeds face restrictions, particularly in the hold. You can find our full guide on Air France pet policy here.
KLM
Follows the 8 kg cabin rule. Pets can also travel in the hold, but space is limited and must be reserved early. Brachycephalic breeds are not accepted in the hold. Read more about KLM pet policy here.
Iberia & Vueling
Both allow small pets in cabin, again up to about 8 kg. Vueling offers more low-cost options but with stricter booking limits.
easyJet
Does not allow pets, with the sole exception of assistance dogs. This surprises many pet owners booking popular holiday flights.
Wizz Air
Like easyJet, pets are not permitted on board. Only assistance dogs are allowed.
TAP Portugal
Accepts pets in cabin up to 8 kg and in the hold on most routes. For Madeira and the Azores, spaces are limited so early booking is vital.
Finnair
Allows small pets in cabin up to 8 kg. For hold travel, Finnair is one of the more pet-friendly airlines in Northern Europe, but reservations must be made well in advance.
Ryanair
Has a strict no-pet policy. Only certified assistance dogs are allowed, and only on selected routes. For anyone travelling with a dog or cat, Ryanair is simply not an option.
Common pitfalls
The most frequent problem is the timing of the rabies vaccine. The microchip must always be implanted before the jab; if it’s the other way round, the vaccination is invalid in the eyes of border control. Another trap is the ten-day validity window for the Animal Health Certificate. If you collect it too early and travel later, it will be rejected at entry.
Transit flights also create confusion. The country where you first land in the EU is the place where your pet’s documents are inspected — even if you’re just changing planes. This catches many travellers by surprise.
🐾 — When you need DOT form — ✈️
FAQs about pet travel rules
What pet travel requirements does Europe have for dogs and cats?
In Europe you always need three basics: a microchip, a rabies vaccination, and travel documents. If you live in the EU, that means a Pet Passport. If you are arriving from the UK, USA or another non-EU country, you’ll need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead. Some countries also add extra rules, like tapeworm treatment or entry through specific airports.
Do I need a Pet Passport or an Animal Health Certificate when flying my dog from the UK to the EU?
Since Brexit the UK Pet Passport is no longer enough for travel into the EU. You now need an Animal Health Certificate issued by an official vet within ten days before you enter. Once you’re in the EU, the same AHC works for up to four months of onward travel.
How long before travelling should my dog get the rabies vaccine?
If it’s your dog’s first rabies jab, you must wait at least 21 days before travelling. Boosters are usually valid straight away, as long as you didn’t let the old one expire. Always make sure the vaccination is recorded in the Pet Passport or AHC.
Is tapeworm treatment really required when travelling to the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland or Norway?
Yes. These countries want proof that your dog had treatment against tapeworm (Echinococcus) between 24 and 120 hours before arrival. Your vet will give the treatment and stamp the Pet Passport or AHC with the date and time.
What are the airline pet travel requirements for Lufthansa and Ryanair?
Lufthansa is pet-friendly: small dogs and cats up to 8 kg including the bag can fly in the cabin, and larger ones in the hold. You just need to book early and use an approved carrier. Ryanair is the opposite – they don’t take pets at all, only assistance dogs on certain routes.
What do the new CDC rules mean for flying with dogs to the USA?
From 2024 the USA tightened its dog import rules. If you’re flying from the EU, you need proof of rabies vaccination and a microchip, and you must fill out the CDC Dog Import Form before arrival. Dogs from high-risk countries may face extra checks or need to arrive at specific US airports.