9 Tips for Taking Your Dog to Europe

Planning a trip to Europe with your dog is exciting, and a lot more doable than most people think. But there is a specific set of things you need to sort out before you go, and the order in which you do them matters.

Trains are one of the easiest ways to get around Europe with a dog, which I cover in depth in my train travel with a dog guide.

I spent last summer exploring Europe with Puglo, my rescue pug, crossing through France, Germany, Spain, the Balkans, and more. Along the way, I learned what to prioritize, what I wished I had done differently, and what made the biggest difference once we were actually on the ground.

One thing I set up before leaving that made a real difference on the ground: a Europe travel eSIM. When you are crossing multiple countries with a dog, you are constantly looking things up, finding pet-friendly restaurants, translating documents at borders, and searching for vets. Having reliable data across every country without swapping SIM cards is a must when traveling with your dog.

This is the practical checklist I wish I had before we left. For a deeper dive into the full process of flying to Europe with a dog and everything involved with entry requirements, check out my complete guide to traveling to Europe with a dog.

9 Tips For Taking Your Dog to Europe

1. Get Your Dog’s Paperwork in Order (Early)

This is the one area where you absolutely cannot improvise, and the timing matters more than most people realize.

If you are traveling from the US or Canada, your dog needs an ISO-compliant microchip, a rabies vaccine administered after the microchip, and an EU Animal Health Certificate issued within 10 days of entry (unless you have an EU pet passport). That certificate has to be signed by an accredited vet and then endorsed by the USDA (in the US) or CFIA (in Canada), which takes time.

Quick 2026 note: As of April 22, 2026, non-EU residents can no longer be issued an EU pet passport, so if you live in the US, UK, or Canada you will use the Animal Health Certificate for every trip. If your dog already had a passport from before that date, it still counts. I go deeper in my EU pet passport guide.

I learned the hard way on our first attempt that Puglo’s microchip had been implanted after his rabies shot, which invalidated everything even though he was fully vaccinated. We could not travel. It was frustrating, but it taught me to triple-check those dates before assuming everything is fine.

Once you have traveled to Europe, it is worth getting an EU Pet Passport issued by a vet there. I got Puglo’s in Barcelona, and it has made re-entry so much smoother. As long as his rabies vaccine stays current, we can travel back into the EU without repeating the health certificate process each time.

2. Understand the Schengen Zone (Your Dog’s Documents Have Limits Too)

Most people know about the Schengen Zone’s 90/180-day rule for passport holders, but fewer realize it also affects your dog’s paperwork.

The EU Animal Health Certificate is valid for four months of travel within the EU from your date of entry, or until your dog’s rabies vaccine expires, whichever comes first. That sounds like plenty of time, but things get more complicated when you start moving between countries outside the EU.

Countries like the UK, Norway, Albania, and North Macedonia all sit outside and have their own separate entry requirements for pets. The same goes for countries like Switzerland and Iceland, which are in the Schengen Zone for passport purposes but are not EU members and have their own pet import rules. You need to check each non-EU country individually before your trip and contact their official government authority to confirm what is required.

If France is on your route, I get country-specific in my guide to visiting France with a dog.

The UK is the strictest example. Post-Brexit, the UK no longer recognizes the EU pet passport at all, and dogs cannot arrive by air in cabin. If you are planning to visit, the easiest route is to fly into continental Europe first and cross via the Eurotunnel or a pet-friendly ferry. I cover ferry options in detail in my guide to dog-friendly cruises and ferries.

The reality for many countries though, especially in Eastern Europe, is that things are very relaxed when you are traveling by land. When I road-tripped through the Balkans with Puglo, most border agents barely glanced at his documents. They were far more interested in my passport than his paperwork. But I still traveled with everything in order, because airports and airlines are far stricter than land crossings. The moment you get on a plane, even a short hop within Europe, the staff will check your paperwork before you board.

If your trip includes countries outside the Schengen zone or the EU, research each country’s requirements individually before you go, and factor in whether you will need a new health certificate issued on your way back in.

3. Know Your Options for Getting Around

This is where traveling in Europe with a dog is wonderful, once you understand the landscape.

Trains are your best friend. Europe’s rail network is extensive, dogs are widely welcome, and the experience is so much more relaxed than airports. Rules vary by country, but in general small dogs travel free, while larger dogs need a discounted ticket and may need to be leashed and muzzled.

I took Puglo on trains across France and Germany and it was smooth every time. He would curl up under the seat and nap while the scenery went by. No stress, no security theater.

Airlines within Europe are strict. Most European carriers have a hard 8kg (17 lb) limit, including the carrier. Some have a higher weight limit, and I list them all in my airline guide. Budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet generally do not allow pets at all. This catches a lot of people off guard if they are used to North American airlines, which typically just require your dog to fit under the seat without a hard weight limit.

I have a full breakdown of European airlines that allow dogs in cabin if you are trying to find the best option for your route. And if you have a snub-nosed breed like Puglo, check my guide to airlines that allow snub-nosed dogs since the restrictions are even more specific.

Ferries are an underrated option, especially in the Mediterranean and between Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Many European ferry companies, including Brittany Ferries, DFDS, and Stena Line, are dog-friendly and allow pets on board with access to outdoor deck areas.

If you are heading to the UK, this is actually the recommended route since dogs cannot arrive in the UK by air in the cabin. It is a more relaxed crossing, and Puglo can get fresh air and stretch his legs rather than sitting in a carrier for hours. I cover dog-friendly ferries in more depth in my guide to dog-friendly cruises and ferries around the world.

Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially for the countryside or anywhere with limited train coverage. It is how I navigated the entire Balkans road trip with Puglo, and it was the right call. We could stop whenever he needed a break, explore villages that no train reaches, and keep our own pace.

Just confirm the rental company allows pets before booking. I always travel with a seat cover to protect the upholstery. I book through Discover Cars because it is easy to compare companies across Europe.

4. Set Up Your Phone Before You Land

Reliable data is not just a travel convenience when you have a dog with you. It is a safety net.

You will be searching for pet-friendly restaurant terraces, looking up whether a train requires your dog to be muzzled, or trying to find an emergency veterinary contact at 10 pm in an unfamiliar city. All of that requires connectivity. Roaming through your home carrier gets expensive fast, especially when you are moving between multiple countries.

A travel eSIM is the cleanest solution.  You install it before you leave, and your phone connects automatically when you land. No airport kiosks, no SIM swapping, no gaps in coverage between borders. Most modern iPhones, Samsung, and Google Pixel devices support eSIM. Check your settings before departure to confirm yours is compatible.

5. Find a Vet Before You Need One

Do not wait until something goes wrong to figure out where the nearest vet is.

Puglo needed a baby tooth removed while we were in Berlin. It had not fallen out on its own and was starting to cause problems. We found an excellent clinic in the city, the staff were thorough and professional, Puglo came through perfectly fine, and I left feeling impressed with the care.

The bill, however, was a reminder that veterinary care in major European cities, especially in Germany and Scandinavia, can be expensive. Before arriving anywhere new, I now do a quick search for the nearest and highly-rated vet clinic, and save it on Google Maps.

A few other things worth sorting before you go:

• Stock up on any prescription medications your dog takes at home, since brands and availability vary across Europe.
• Bring your own flea and tick prevention rather than sourcing it abroad.
• Keep both digital and printed copies of all vaccination records, not just the health certificate.
• If your dog has any existing health conditions, talk to your vet before departure about what to watch for in a different climate, particularly heat.

6. Be Honest About Pet Travel Insurance

I want to be straight with you here: finding pet travel insurance that actually covers you meaningfully abroad is harder than it should be.

Most standard pet insurance policies are built for home country use and either exclude international coverage entirely or cap reimbursements at amounts that would not go far in a German or Swiss veterinary clinic. Some policies do offer international provisions, but always read the fine print carefully before assuming you are covered.

Puglo’s Berlin tooth removal was not an emergency, but it was not cheap either. An actual emergency, a broken bone, a GI obstruction, a snub-nosed dog in respiratory distress, could run into the thousands in a country with high veterinary costs.

What I would recommend:

Before we head to the airport I always double-check Puglo’s harness fit. Flat-faced dogs need extra care here, which is why I wrote about the best harness for pugs.

• Check whether your existing pet insurance has any international provisions before buying additional coverage.
• Look into general travel insurance policies that include a pet. Some do.
• At a minimum, set aside a dedicated emergency fund for your dog before any international trip.

The pet travel insurance market has not caught up with how many of us are traveling internationally with our dogs. Going in with clear eyes is better than assuming you are covered when you are not.

7. Book Pet-Friendly Accommodation Carefully

Europe is super dog-friendly, but just because a hotel says they are “pet-friendly” does not always mean the same thing at every property, and the fine print matters.

I use the pet filter on Booking.com as a starting point, but I always read the individual property’s pet policy before confirming. Some hotels add nightly pet fees that add up fast over a longer stay. Others have size or breed restrictions buried in the small print.

For that reason, I usually lean toward apartments over hotels. They tend to be more flexible about pets, less likely to charge extra fees, and give Puglo more space to settle in after long travel days. Some of my favorite stays in Europe have been apartments with balconies where he could sit in the sun while I worked.

A few hotel chains that are generally reliable for dog travel across Europe: Ibis (Accor Group), NH Hotels, and many Marriott properties. Policies vary by location, but these are a solid starting point if you prefer consistency.

And if you want something more memorable, Europe has incredible, unique stays that welcome dogs. We found a dog-friendly glamping spot on the Albanian Riviera where we stepped straight from our tent onto the beach. Those kinds of finds are absolutely worth searching for.

8. Plan Around What Your Dog Can and Cannot Access 

Europe is one of the most dog-friendly regions in the world, but there are still places your dog cannot go: inside museums, churches, certain historic landmarks, and supermarkets, depending on the country.

The key is to plan your days with this in mind rather than getting caught off guard. In cities like Paris and Berlin, it is easy to build a full day around outdoor spaces, café terraces, parks, and markets where Puglo is welcome alongside me. But on days I wanted to spend hours inside a gallery or climb cathedral stairs, I planned around it.

When Puglo could not come, I used Rover to find local dog sitters and walkers. I used it in both Barcelona and Berlin and had good experiences each time. The platform works internationally, reviews from other dog owners in the same city make it easy to find someone trustworthy quickly, and booking a few hours with a sitter means you get to enjoy the attraction without rushing, while your dog gets a proper walk rather than waiting alone in an apartment.

Building this flexibility into your trip planning takes the pressure off both of you.

8. Learn the Local Dog Rules Before You Arrive

Europe is wonderfully dog-friendly, but the rules shift from country to country and even city to city, so I never assume. Some countries require dogs to be muzzled on trains and public transport (Germany and parts of Austria, for example), many cities have strict leash laws in parks, and a few require liability insurance for certain breeds. The upside is that dogs are welcome in most cafes, restaurants, and shops across the continent, far more than back in North America. Before I land I skim the official EU rules on travelling with pets, then search the specific city for local leash and muzzle laws. Puglo has ridden trains through six countries, and packing a soft muzzle he never actually needs beats being turned away at the platform. If your route runs through Italy or Spain, I go deeper in my guides on taking a dog to Italy and taking a dog to Spain.

9. Prepare for the Heat (Especially With a Flat-Faced Breed)

This one is non-negotiable if you are traveling to Southern Europe in summer, and especially critical if you have a pug, French bulldog, or any other brachycephalic breed.

Southern Europe gets extremely hot from June through September. Pavement in cities like Madrid, Rome, and Athens can reach temperatures that will burn your dog’s paws within minutes. Most of Puglo’s walks during that summer happened before 9 am or after 7 pm. Midday was rest time for both of us, which is how the locals live too, and it works.

A few things that made a real difference for us:

• Dog shoes or paw wax protect against hot pavement. If your dog hates shoes, the wax is a good alternative and easy to apply before walks.
• A portable water bottle is essential. Puglo needed water constantly in the heat, and not every outdoor space has a bowl available.
• A cooling mat or wet towel for rest breaks on particularly hot days.
• Know the signs of overheating for your breed. For pugs and other flat-faced dogs, watch for excessive panting, glazed eyes, or slowing down and refusing to move. Get to shade and water immediately. I go into more detail on flying with a pug, specifically in my guide to flying with a pug, but the heat considerations apply on the ground, too.

It is also worth knowing that some airlines will not transport pets in cargo during the summer months due to heat restrictions. If you are flying within Europe or checking a dog as cargo on any leg of your trip, check the airline’s temperature policy before booking.

Europe in summer is wonderful. You just adjust the rhythm around your dog’s needs, and once you do, it flows naturally.

Is it worth taking your dog to Europe?

Traveling to Europe with your dog takes more preparation than a solo trip, but once you have the systems in place, it becomes second nature. Puglo has now crossed borders all across the continent, and each trip gets smoother. There’s nothing better than having my best friend by my side exploring Europe, it’s absolutely worth it!

If you are planning your first trip and want the full breakdown on flights, entry paperwork, and what it is actually like on the ground, read mycomplete guide to traveling to Europe with a dog.

Bringing Your Dog Back to the USA From Europe

Coming home is the easy part. Every EU country is classified as low-risk for dog rabies, so to re-enter the United States you only need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Your dog must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, and appear healthy on arrival. Complete the form online, confirm your email, and keep the receipt on your phone for the airline and US Customs. One exception to watch: if you route home through Mexico, dogs entering the US from Mexico also need a screwworm-freedom certificate from an authorized vet within 5 days of travel.

Planning your paperwork trail? Start with my guide to getting an EU pet passport, check whether a dog rabies titer test applies to your route, and compare cabin rules in airlines that allow dogs in the cabin. For country specifics, see whether Italy is dog-friendly and browse everything on my dog travel guides hub.

Taking Your Dog to Europe: FAQs

Where to stay with your dog in Europe

Europe is full of dog-welcoming hotels and apartments, but pet policies and fees vary widely, so I always confirm before booking. I filter for the pets-allowed option on Booking.com and read the fine print on pet fees and size limits. For dog-friendly day tours and activities, I check Viator for options that welcome leashed pets.

If the flight is the part making you nervous, that is exactly why I created my Flying With Your Dog guide. It walks you through everything you need to take your first flight with your dog!