How to Bring Your Dog With You on a Road Trip From the UK to Europe [2024]

If you're thinking about a  European road trip with your dog, keep reading to find out all the information and tips you need. 

It might seem easier to leave them at home but it’s not as difficult as you might think to bring them along and then they get to enjoy the experience just as much as you do. We’re confident that you will enjoy it more with them by your side, rather than thinking about how they’re doing in a kennel or with a relative back home.  

What to consider to bring your dog on a road trip from the UK to Europe

Border requirements to enter the EU

1. The first thing to consider is their age, to enter the EU, your dog needs to be at least 12 weeks old, this is because they need to have had their first rabies jab and have a microchip. 
2. You also need to get their documents to travel. If you’re from the UK, you will need to get an animal health certificate no more than 10 days before you travel. You can get this from the vets and they last for 4 months, or earlier if your pet's rabies vaccination expires before the 4 months is up. If you plan to travel longer than this it is possible to get your dog an EU passport at a vets in the EU. If your pet already has an EU passport then you don't need to worry about the animal health certificate. 

If you’re looking for more detail on any of these points then check out the EU website on travelling with pets and other animals in the EU.

How long are you going for?

If it’s just a short trip then you don’t need to worry about any of their medication or treatment, unless they have regular medication. If you’re going for longer you might want to think about what flea and tick treatment to use and also how you will regularly treat them for worms. We usually opt for a flea collar and get a worming tablet whenever we got to the vets.

Where are you going? 

Most countries in the EU are satisfied with these requirements; a microchip, valid rabies vaccination and passport or animal health certificate. But there are countries in Europe that require more.

For countries that are free of tapeworm; (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland) you need to get tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis treatment administered 24 hours to 5 days before you travel. 

Are you planning to leave the EU?

Some countries outside of the EU, and especially outside of Europe, require a few extra steps to be able to take your dog into them. You might need a rabies antibody titre test which proves your pet has the rabies antibodies. 

What about heading back to the UK?

It’s a requirement to get your dog treated for tapeworm 24 hours to 5 days before going back to the UK. This has been a rule for a long time so vets in most countries in Western Europe are familiar with doing this.

Tip: Tapeworm treatment is generally more expensive in France and the Netherlands than Spain and Portugal, so if you have the choice and are on a budget, try to get this done in a cheaper country!

What else do you need to consider when taking your pet on a road trip?

What time of year are you going?

Is the time of year that you’re travelling suitable for your dog and do you have what you need to manage your dog in the weather and temperatures. Summer in Europe can get very hot. We think Scandinavia is a perfect place to road trip in summer with your pet because it never gets too hot. You can pack things to manage the heat, for example cooling mats are very popular. Or, basing yourself around places where you have access to shade and water so that your dog can keep themself cool. 

Does your dog have any unique needs?

If your dog is picky with food then you might want to make sure that you have enough food for your trip. While most countries in Western Europe have a lot of choice of dog food, they may not have the particular brand you’re after, so if your dog is used to eating particular food then make sure you have stocked up enough to keep them happy. 

Useful accessories to pack 

• Tag for their collar with your contact information, your phone number will be one of the most important details when abroad. 
• Consider getting your pet a GPS tracker that provides live data so that you always know where they are. 
• Drag line or long leash, this is a must in our opinion, it allows them to roam around you but always be under your control. We use a 10 metre one but you can get them up to 20 metres. 
• Chest harness, if you’re using a long leash then this will give you more control and make sure your dog is safer than with a collar. We get our bits like this from Non-stop dogwear, they’re tough and good quality. 
• Life jacket, if you plan on taking your dog along on any water activities, this is essential.
• A seatbelt, we attach ours to Sandy’s harness so that we know she is secure when we are driving.  
• Collapsible drinking bowl, this is a must on our hikes. 
• A towel or bathrobe that your dog can wear, this is great for when you have a wet dog that wants to get in your van.

Have fun with your four-legged friend

Going on a road trip with your dog is amazing for both of you. If you are camping and staying in beautiful spots in nature, there’s no way they won’t enjoy it as much as you as they get to roam around new places and make new friends! We hope this blog gives you the confidence to take your dog on your next road trip.