Guide for Traveling with a Service Dog in Europe

Traveling is exciting. Taking in new sites, discovering interesting people, and making memories are all things a wonderful vacation should be. These expectations shouldn’t change because you need to travel with a service dog.

However, before you book your flight, there are some things you will need to keep in mind when traveling to Europe with a service dog. In this post, we will cover all those important areas to help get you prepared for your dream trip.

1. EU Animal Travel Requirements 
2. Airline Requirements
3. Jurisdiction Specific Requirements 
4. General Travel Tips

EU Animal Travel Requirements 

The European Union has developed rules to make it easy to travel to and between the EU countries. Your animal can travel with you if it has:

• been microchipped (in line with the technical requirements of Annex II of the EU Regulation on the movement of pets) or has a clearly readable tattoo if applied before 3 July 2011
• been vaccinated against rabies
• had treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, where your destination area is free from this tapeworm (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, and Northern Ireland)
• an EU animal health certificate, when traveling from a non-EU country.

The EU animal health certificate contains specific information about your animal’s identity, health, and rabies vaccination status. 

If you are traveling from a non-EU country like the United States, your pet must have an EU animal health certificate issued by a veterinarian in the country of departure no more than 10 days before arrival.

The certificate is valid for travel between EU countries for 4 months, or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first. 

Airline Requirements

Service dogs are allowed on flights as long as you notify the airline in advance and complete any documentation requirements. If you are traveling from the United States, you will need to complete the DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form. 

Please note that each airline has its own procedures for accommodating service dogs. You should check to see their latest rules for service dogs well ahead of your planned departure date. 

Jurisdiction Specific Requirements

In most EU countries, it is against the law for service providers to discriminate against those with disabilities; this also includes individuals with service dogs. It’s important to note, however, that service dog rules vary depending on the jurisdiction you are in.

Note that in contrast to the United States, which does not require any documents or certifications for service dogs, many European countries have specific document and training certification requirements. 

For example, in France, the law for accessibility requires two documents: 1. a State card (carte mobilité inclusion) that testifies that you have a handicap and 2. a certificate that your dog received proper assistance dog training. 

General Travel Tips

Caring for your service dog when traveling abroad will take some planning. Check out these helpful tips so you and your service dog will be prepared.

Food & Supplements

Make sure your dog’s food is manufacturer-sealed. This will avoid any conflict when boarding the aircraft. Your local pet retailer may have sample packages of your dog’s kibble that will be easier to transport.

If you embark on a more extended trip, you might want to consider ordering your dog’s food and having it delivered to your destination. Many regions will also have pet retailers where you can purchase your dog’s kibble; however, you may want to call or email them to be sure your dog’s brand is carried and in stock.

If your canine needs medications, be sure to keep them in the original bottles with a note from your veterinarian explaining their purpose.

Health Tips

No one wants their pet or Service Dog to become ill, especially when traveling outside their own country. To help keep your canine companion in top shape when in Europe, follow these additional service dog health tips.

• Carry a pet first aid kit.
• Take a pet first aid course or ask your veterinarian for the basics. Even if you may not be able to physically perform the first aid task, you may be able to instruct someone else to do so.
• Find a veterinarian at your destination point. It may also be handy to drop this person an email introducing yourself, letting them know that you would like to use their services in the case of an emergency. Keep this information in a safe, yet handy place.
• Set aside “emergency money” just in case your service dog gets ill or injured.
• Carry a muzzle or head halter. Some places may require this gear. Be sure your dog has been introduced to these and is comfortable using them.

European Adventures With Your Service Dog

In conclusion, traveling with a service dog in Europe requires careful preparation and an understanding of both EU-wide and country-specific requirements. From ensuring your service dog is microchipped and vaccinated, to familiarizing yourself with airline protocols and local laws, each step is crucial to a smooth journey.