![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Artboard-2-1024x731.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou are legally allowed to drive your dog to Europe from the UK, but there are a number of different rules you will need to follow before you can do so, both on home soil and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, you will need to have an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a vet, which will be needed no more than ten days before you travel. These used to be referred to as pet passports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are designed to certify that your dog has been microchipped, has a rabies vaccination (you will need to wait 21 days after the vaccine to obtain an AHC) and it has had tapeworm treatment, if required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also a number of different rules you will need to follow in different European countries. Here are some rules in the main countries you may visit with your pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I take my dog to France?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Artboard-3-1024x731.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou are allowed to take your dog to France as long as you have the valid documents, which also include your four-legged friend being microchipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to gain entry to our European neighbours<\/a>, you will need an AHC as well. Here are some things you should know about taking a dog to France:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- In some places in France, muzzles are mandatory<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You are not allowed to travel across the border with meat or dairy products, including dog food<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You should purchase pet travel insurance before you leave<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It\u2019s advisable to get tapeworm treatment in France one to five days before you return home<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Normandy and Brittany are among the best places to take dogs, due to their beaches and hiking spots<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Can I take my dog to Italy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You will need the same documentation to travel to Italy as you would in France. The Italians, though, have stricter rules when it comes to taking your pet around the local sights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The owner must ensure the dog is well trained and behaves in public. It should also always be on a lead, which is not allowed to be longer than 1.5 metres, and if the dog is dangerous or aggressive, it will be required to wear a muzzle at all times in public. Muzzles and leads must also be used when taking your pet on public transport too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also have your dog\u2019s paperwork with you when travelling in Italy<\/a>, especially on public transport. Small dogs are mostly allowed to travel for free on transport like buses and trains, but medium and larger dogs will need a ticket, with the latter sometimes only allowed to travel in certain carriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you are heading to Venice, it\u2019s important to note that dogs are allowed on the water boats that travel across the city’s infamous canals without a ticket. But they must still be on a lead and wear a muzzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I take my dog to Spain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When taking your dog to Spain, you will need the valid documents, which also includes your four-legged friend being microchipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to gain entry to our European neighbours<\/a>, you will need an AHC as well. When travelling to another country, just like with humans, it\u2019s important to stay vigilant and watch out for contracting any diseases while you are away. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you are visiting the Mediterranean region, your dog could be at risk of contracting Leishmaniasis, which is generally caused by being bitten by a sand fly. You might want to speak with your vet before you travel about buying repellent products, such as collars and spot-on treatments, to prevent your dog from being bitten. In some cases, it might be best to stop your canine friend from visiting affected beaches altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do end up visiting any of the stunning sandy beaches along the Spanish coast, it’s important to check your dog after each trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ticks are also prevalent within countries in the European Union (EU), with these often carrying more diseases than ticks on UK shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where can I not take my dog in Europe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Even with your AHC, there are some countries within Europe that you are not permitted to visit with a dog. These include the Faroe Islands and Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a pet passport?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Artboard-4-1024x731.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSince leaving the EU, a pet passport is no longer required, but a lot of people still refer to them as such. Instead, you will need to obtain an AHC, as previously outlined. You will also need one of these when visiting Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAn AHC is internationally recognised and is legally required to take any pet with you abroad. You will need to apply for one in the UK, and not when you are either in a foreign country or when you arrive at the Euro Tunnel or ferry port. You can add up to five pets at once on an AHC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you travel, it\u2019s a wise idea to check the Government\u2019s official advice<\/a> for the country you are visiting, especially as some rules may differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAn AHC must be certified by an official vet. The idea is that it\u2019s proof that your dog has been microchipped and vaccinated ahead of its journey. Here are some important things to note about AHCs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Your dog should be microchipped at the same as their rabies vaccination <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The microchip number should be added to your dog\u2019s AHC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A microchip is not needed if your dog has a legible identification tattoo before 3rd July 2011<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- All dogs must be vaccinated before travelling <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old before it can be vaccinated<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You will need to wait 21 days after your dog\u2019s rabies vaccine to get an AHC<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If your dog is already vaccinated, a check will be needed to see if a booster shot is needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- An AHC needs to be signed off by a vet no more than 10 days before you travel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You need to administer tapeworm treatment to your dog within one to five days before returning to the UK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The certificate is valid for 10 days when entering the EU or Northern Ireland, a further four months of travel after arriving in the EU and for four months to return to the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much does an Animal Health Certificate cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Costs will vary depending on which veterinary surgery you are using, but they typically cost between \u00a390-180 for the first pet on an AHC and roughly \u00a325-50 for each additional pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelling by ferry with your dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Artboard-1-1024x559.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you are travelling to Europe by ferry, you will need to enter via a traveller\u2019s point of entry. From here your dog\u2019s AHC will be checked accordingly. Ferries are an approved travel route for pets. But like any form of travel there are positives and negatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here we\u2019ve earmarked the pros and cons of travelling via ferry with your dog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pros to travelling via ferry with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Some ferries have dog friendly cabins where your dog can stay with you<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Some ferries have dog friendly areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They allow dogs on board as foot passengers <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cons to travelling via ferry with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- In dog friendly areas, your pet may still be required to wear a muzzle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- On some routes, pets may be required to stay in the car during the trip, which is a risk to their health, especially if it\u2019s hot<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There is often a charge for travelling with a pet and not all providers allow them onboard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips for travelling with a dog via ferry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Try to get to the port early so you can claim a suitable position in the car deck for your dog<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leave your dog plenty of water <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t park in direct sunlight <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Try to travel overnight if you can, especially during the summer, as it\u2019s cooler<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Let the ferry company know you have a live animal in your vehicle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure your dog can\u2019t escape your vehicle, but leave enough ventilation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Travelling via the Channel tunnel with your dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Artboard-5-1024x731.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhen travelling by the Channel tunnel<\/a> your dog can stay with you on the train. It\u2019s also recommended as the safest way to get to Europe with a pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPros to travelling via the Channel tunnel with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- There are special exercise areas for your dog at either side of the crossing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The journey is shorter than travelling via ferry<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Owners can remain with their dogs in the car <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cons to travelling via the Channel tunnel with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- You will be charged with travelling with a dog in the Channel Tunnel <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your dog has to stay in the car at all times<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What will you need to travel by car in Europe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you head into Europe, there are a few essential documents <\/a>you\u2019ll need to remember to ensure you can enter your country of choice easily. This is especially relevant if you\u2019re driving there. These documents will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Your passport <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A valid driving licence <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- National insurance number<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- V5C certificate<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Proof of travel and vehicle insurance <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- International driving permit<\/a> (for the necessary countries)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Crit\u2019air sticker (for France)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Before you get on the road, you should also make sure your car\u2019s tax and MOT are up-to-date. You may also benefit from having green card insurance<\/a>, which acts as proof that you\u2019re insured to drive in another country. <\/p>\n\n\n\nGetting insurance for your European trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re travelling through Europe, you\u2019ll want cover that works for you. Sterling understands this, and with our help, you\u2019ll be able to find European car insurance<\/a> or green card insurance<\/a> that fits with your plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWe also offer breakdown cover in the EU<\/a>, which will give you peace of mind for your road trip.
Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote or request a callback<\/a> at a time better suited to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Travelling to Europe with a dog is easier than you think. Here is everything you need to know about taking your four-legged companion by car to our European neighbours.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":864,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[25,23,27],"class_list":["post-749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-driving-abroad","tag-green-card","tag-holiday","tag-road-trip"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Can I take my dog to Europe by car? | Sterling Insurance Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Taking your dog to France or any other European country is easier than you think. Here we take you through all the steps you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can I take my dog to Europe by car?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Taking your dog to France or any other European country is easier than you think. Here we take you through all the steps you need to know.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sterling Insurance Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-07T10:09:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-19T09:50:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1980\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Grant Elliott\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Grant Elliott\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Grant Elliott\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3a8c091aa81a7c3e3efeb3757609e7f9\"},\"headline\":\"Can I take my dog to Europe by car?\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-07T10:09:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-19T09:50:23+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1748,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Green Card\",\"Holiday\",\"Road Trip\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Driving Abroad\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/\",\"name\":\"Can I take my dog to Europe by car? | Sterling Insurance Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-07T10:09:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-19T09:50:23+00:00\",\"description\":\"Taking your dog to France or any other European country is easier than you think. Here we take you through all the steps you need to know.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png\",\"width\":1980,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/driving-abroad\\\/take-dog-europe-car\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Blog\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Driving Abroad\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/category\\\/driving-abroad\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Can I take my dog to Europe by car?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Sterling Insurance Blog\",\"description\":\"News, Views and Opinions\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Sterling Insurance Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/sterling-logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/02\\\/sterling-logo.svg\",\"width\":575,\"height\":97,\"caption\":\"Sterling Insurance Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3a8c091aa81a7c3e3efeb3757609e7f9\",\"name\":\"Grant Elliott\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/10d150a0859f2010dfa714e206cafdcbf712eb9f62a8509a87970c0c9e8bbb08?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/10d150a0859f2010dfa714e206cafdcbf712eb9f62a8509a87970c0c9e8bbb08?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/10d150a0859f2010dfa714e206cafdcbf712eb9f62a8509a87970c0c9e8bbb08?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Grant Elliott\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Can I take my dog to Europe by car? | Sterling Insurance Blog","description":"Taking your dog to France or any other European country is easier than you think. Here we take you through all the steps you need to know.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Can I take my dog to Europe by car?","og_description":"Taking your dog to France or any other European country is easier than you think. Here we take you through all the steps you need to know.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/","og_site_name":"Sterling Insurance Blog","article_published_time":"2025-10-07T10:09:23+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-19T09:50:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1980,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Grant Elliott","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Grant Elliott","Estimated reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/"},"author":{"name":"Grant Elliott","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/3a8c091aa81a7c3e3efeb3757609e7f9"},"headline":"Can I take my dog to Europe by car?","datePublished":"2025-10-07T10:09:23+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-19T09:50:23+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/"},"wordCount":1748,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png","keywords":["Green Card","Holiday","Road Trip"],"articleSection":["Driving Abroad"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/","name":"Can I take my dog to Europe by car? | Sterling Insurance Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png","datePublished":"2025-10-07T10:09:23+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-19T09:50:23+00:00","description":"Taking your dog to France or any other European country is easier than you think. Here we take you through all the steps you need to know.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ST079-Can-I-take-my-dog-to-Europe-by-car-.png","width":1980,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/driving-abroad\/take-dog-europe-car\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Driving Abroad","item":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/category\/driving-abroad\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Can I take my dog to Europe by car?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/","name":"Sterling Insurance Blog","description":"News, Views and Opinions","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#organization","name":"Sterling Insurance Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/sterling-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/sterling-logo.svg","width":575,"height":97,"caption":"Sterling Insurance Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/3a8c091aa81a7c3e3efeb3757609e7f9","name":"Grant Elliott","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10d150a0859f2010dfa714e206cafdcbf712eb9f62a8509a87970c0c9e8bbb08?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10d150a0859f2010dfa714e206cafdcbf712eb9f62a8509a87970c0c9e8bbb08?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/10d150a0859f2010dfa714e206cafdcbf712eb9f62a8509a87970c0c9e8bbb08?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Grant Elliott"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou are allowed to take your dog to France as long as you have the valid documents, which also include your four-legged friend being microchipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to gain entry to our European neighbours<\/a>, you will need an AHC as well. Here are some things you should know about taking a dog to France:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will need the same documentation to travel to Italy as you would in France. The Italians, though, have stricter rules when it comes to taking your pet around the local sights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The owner must ensure the dog is well trained and behaves in public. It should also always be on a lead, which is not allowed to be longer than 1.5 metres, and if the dog is dangerous or aggressive, it will be required to wear a muzzle at all times in public. Muzzles and leads must also be used when taking your pet on public transport too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also have your dog\u2019s paperwork with you when travelling in Italy<\/a>, especially on public transport. Small dogs are mostly allowed to travel for free on transport like buses and trains, but medium and larger dogs will need a ticket, with the latter sometimes only allowed to travel in certain carriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are heading to Venice, it\u2019s important to note that dogs are allowed on the water boats that travel across the city’s infamous canals without a ticket. But they must still be on a lead and wear a muzzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When taking your dog to Spain, you will need the valid documents, which also includes your four-legged friend being microchipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to gain entry to our European neighbours<\/a>, you will need an AHC as well. When travelling to another country, just like with humans, it\u2019s important to stay vigilant and watch out for contracting any diseases while you are away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are visiting the Mediterranean region, your dog could be at risk of contracting Leishmaniasis, which is generally caused by being bitten by a sand fly. You might want to speak with your vet before you travel about buying repellent products, such as collars and spot-on treatments, to prevent your dog from being bitten. In some cases, it might be best to stop your canine friend from visiting affected beaches altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do end up visiting any of the stunning sandy beaches along the Spanish coast, it’s important to check your dog after each trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ticks are also prevalent within countries in the European Union (EU), with these often carrying more diseases than ticks on UK shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with your AHC, there are some countries within Europe that you are not permitted to visit with a dog. These include the Faroe Islands and Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since leaving the EU, a pet passport is no longer required, but a lot of people still refer to them as such. Instead, you will need to obtain an AHC, as previously outlined. You will also need one of these when visiting Northern Ireland<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An AHC is internationally recognised and is legally required to take any pet with you abroad. You will need to apply for one in the UK, and not when you are either in a foreign country or when you arrive at the Euro Tunnel or ferry port. You can add up to five pets at once on an AHC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you travel, it\u2019s a wise idea to check the Government\u2019s official advice<\/a> for the country you are visiting, especially as some rules may differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An AHC must be certified by an official vet. The idea is that it\u2019s proof that your dog has been microchipped and vaccinated ahead of its journey. Here are some important things to note about AHCs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The certificate is valid for 10 days when entering the EU or Northern Ireland, a further four months of travel after arriving in the EU and for four months to return to the UK. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Costs will vary depending on which veterinary surgery you are using, but they typically cost between \u00a390-180 for the first pet on an AHC and roughly \u00a325-50 for each additional pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are travelling to Europe by ferry, you will need to enter via a traveller\u2019s point of entry. From here your dog\u2019s AHC will be checked accordingly. Ferries are an approved travel route for pets. But like any form of travel there are positives and negatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here we\u2019ve earmarked the pros and cons of travelling via ferry with your dog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When travelling by the Channel tunnel<\/a> your dog can stay with you on the train. It\u2019s also recommended as the safest way to get to Europe with a pet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you head into Europe, there are a few essential documents <\/a>you\u2019ll need to remember to ensure you can enter your country of choice easily. This is especially relevant if you\u2019re driving there. These documents will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you get on the road, you should also make sure your car\u2019s tax and MOT are up-to-date. You may also benefit from having green card insurance<\/a>, which acts as proof that you\u2019re insured to drive in another country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re travelling through Europe, you\u2019ll want cover that works for you. Sterling understands this, and with our help, you\u2019ll be able to find European car insurance<\/a> or green card insurance<\/a> that fits with your plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also offer breakdown cover in the EU<\/a>, which will give you peace of mind for your road trip. Travelling to Europe with a dog is easier than you think. Here is everything you need to know about taking your four-legged companion by car to our European neighbours.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":864,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[25,23,27],"class_list":["post-749","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-driving-abroad","tag-green-card","tag-holiday","tag-road-trip"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
Can I take my dog to Italy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can I take my dog to Spain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where can I not take my dog in Europe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a pet passport?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
How much does an Animal Health Certificate cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Travelling by ferry with your dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros to travelling via ferry with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Cons to travelling via ferry with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Tips for travelling with a dog via ferry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Travelling via the Channel tunnel with your dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPros to travelling via the Channel tunnel with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Cons to travelling via the Channel tunnel with your dog:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
What will you need to travel by car in Europe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Getting insurance for your European trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote or request a callback<\/a> at a time better suited to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"