Travelling to England with Your Dog
Entry rules, ferries with pet cabins and tips for travelling with your dog
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC) required since Brexit
- Pet cabins available with DFDS and P&O Ferries
- Tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before entry
- ETA required since February 2026, also for dog owners
Entry Requirements
What Your Dog Needs for England
Since Brexit, new rules apply. The EU pet passport is no longer accepted. Instead, an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is required.
Animal Health Certificate
ISO Microchip
Rabies Vaccination
Tapeworm Treatment
Costs at a Glance
AHC at the Vet
Rabies Vaccination
Tapeworm Treatment
Pet Cabin
Pet-Friendly Ferries
Ferries with Dogs to England
Ferries with Pet Cabins
DFDS: Amsterdam-Newcastle
DFDS offers dedicated pet cabins where you travel together with your dog. The cabins are on a separate deck. Dogs are not allowed in the public areas of the ship, but there is an exercise area on the outer deck.
P&O Ferries: Rotterdam-Hull
P&O offers pet-friendly cabins on the Rotterdam-Hull route. A Pet Lounge is also available. There is a designated area for dogs on the outer deck.
P&O Ferries: Dover-Calais
On the short Channel crossing (90 minutes), dogs stay in the vehicle on the car deck, or you can use the Pet Lounge on board.
DFDS: Calais/Dunkirk-Dover
On DFDS's Channel routes, dogs stay in the vehicle on the car deck. There is no separate pet area on board.
Banned Dog Breeds
The following breeds are not allowed to enter the UK:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Crossbreeds of these types can also be turned away.
Maximum Number
You may bring a maximum of 5 pets (dogs, cats or ferrets) per traveller.
Returning to the EU
For the return journey from the UK to the EU, an EU pet passport with a valid rabies vaccination is enough. A new AHC is not required.
ETA for Dog Owners
Since 25 February 2026, all EU citizens need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA, £16) for the UK. The ETA applies to people only – dogs don't need their own ETA, but they still need the Animal Health Certificate.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about travelling to England with a dog
Does my dog need an EU pet passport?+
Since Brexit, dogs need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before travel. The EU pet passport is no longer accepted for entry into the UK.
What does my dog need for entry?+
Your dog needs: 1) an ISO microchip (11784/11785), implanted before the rabies vaccination. 2) A valid rabies vaccination (21-day waiting period after the first dose). 3) Tapeworm treatment with praziquantel, 24-120 hours before arrival in the UK. 4) An Animal Health Certificate, issued no more than 10 days before travel.
What does it cost to bring a dog into the UK?+
The AHC costs around €100-150 at the vet. On top of that, add the rabies vaccination (€30-50) and the tapeworm treatment (€10-20). The pet cabin on the ferry costs from around €30-50 extra, depending on the operator.
Is the tapeworm treatment really mandatory?+
Yes! The tapeworm treatment must be carried out 24 to 120 hours before your planned arrival in the UK. It must be recorded by the vet on the AHC with the exact date and time. Active ingredient: praziquantel.
Which ferries are the most pet-friendly?+
DFDS (Amsterdam-Newcastle) offers pet cabins where you can stay overnight with your dog. P&O Ferries (Rotterdam-Hull) has pet-friendly cabins and a Pet Lounge. On the short Channel crossings, dogs usually stay in the vehicle.