Holidays with your dog abroad
If you are travelling abroad with your dog, there are a few things you should bear in mind. The requirements may vary from country to country. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to inform yourself and ensure that your dog fulfils the requirements.
Entry requirements for dogs
Anyone travelling with their dog within the EU must observe the following:
The animal must be chipped. For dogs born before July 2011, a tattoo is usually sufficient.
The animal must have a valid vaccination against rabies.
Dogs travelling to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland or Malta must be treated against fox tapeworm.
The animal must have an EU pet passport.
Ask your vet for help with the pet passport, vaccinations, worming and labelling. Remember that treatment against fox tapeworm must be certified by a vet! Also find out about the exact vaccination requirements of the country you are travelling to.
If you are travelling with your dog to a country outside the EU, the following regulations apply, among others:
As a rule, you must bring both a passport and an animal health certificate issued by a vet. You must also have a valid rabies vaccination, microchip identification and a pet passport. It is important that you check the requirements for the country you are visiting. Contact the veterinary authorities or the embassy of the country you are travelling to, to find out what regulations apply in that country.
Also remember that when travelling to another country, whether by car, train or plane, you often pass through other countries. The dog must also fulfil the requirements of these countries.
Dangers in other countries
We also recommend that you find out before you travel whether there are any known diseases in the country you are travelling to that your dog could contract during its stay. In some countries, it is recommended that dogs are protected against leptospirosis, leishmaniasis, heartworm, etc. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to know the rules or recommendations that apply when travelling abroad with a dog. These regulations can be updated and changed quickly, so always keep up to date. For example, it may be necessary to declare the dog to customs.
Also, don't forget to download the Lassie app so you have all the insurance documents, paperwork and conditions with you on your journey and can access our chat if you have any questions.
Special requirements and precautions
To be well-prepared, you should find out whether there are any requirements for wearing a muzzle. This is the case in some cities in Austria, for example. In addition, in Italy and Belgium, among other countries, you may be required to wear a muzzle by the local authorities. You should be prepared for these cases.
And also bear in mind that the risk of parasites is often higher in southern countries than in Germany. Talk to your vet about which spot-on preparations or other measures they recommend in this regard.
