europe · dogs

the dog's coming. here's the paperwork.

to take your dog from the uk into the eu you need three things — a registered microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and a single-use animal health certificate. then one vet visit before you come home. none of it is hard, but the timings are strict.

before you go

three things, in this order.

a registered microchip.

your dog must be microchipped before, or on the same day as, their rabies vaccination. chip after the jab and the jab has to be done again.

a valid rabies vaccination.

dogs must be at least 12 weeks old to have it, and you must wait 21 full days after the first vaccination before travelling. boosters don't need the wait as long as the cover hasn't lapsed.

an animal health certificate.

the ahc replaces the pet passport for gb residents. an official veterinarian issues it within 10 days of your arrival in france; it's single-entry, and good for 6 months of travel within the eu. the gov.uk pet travel guide has the official detail.

getting there

the crossing, with a dog.

crossingseurotunnel leshuttle or a ferry — dover to calais, dover to dunkirk, or portsmouth to caen are the usual ones.

pet receptionbefore you board you visit the pet reception at the terminal to have the microchip scanned and the documents checked. arrive 1.5–2 hours ahead of your crossing in case it's busy, and bring the originals — photos on a phone are often refused.

the driving kitif you're driving in france you legally need a uk sticker, headlight converters, hi-vis vests for everyone and a warning triangle. they're all in the van.

in the van

safe, and legal.

restrain your dogfrench law says pets must not distract the driver. use a crash-tested car harness, a secure travel crate or a boot guard. the harness clips to the table leg; a crate stows on the floor.

the pet feedogs are welcome in every van. the usual £25 pet fee applies per booking — bring a bed and a towel.

coming home

the one vet visit you can't miss.

tapeworm treatmentbetween 24 and 120 hours (1 to 5 days) before you enter the uk, a vet in france must give your dog a tapeworm treatment and record it in the ahc.

the windowno less than 24 hours before you arrive back. no more than 120 hours. get it wrong and the dog can be refused boarding, so plan the vet visit into the last leg of the trip.

short tripsif the whole trip is under 5 days, a uk vet can give the treatment before you leave.

exemptionsyou don't need the treatment if you're coming back directly from finland, ireland, norway, northern ireland or malta.

any questions?

ask us. we've done it.

email myles back to the europe page