Traveling with Pets in Europe: The Ultimate RVT Guide to Campervan Adventures

If you are in a rush to get planning, here is the high-level summary of what traveling with pets in Europe entails. However, I strongly urge you to read the medical sections in full—prevention is cheaper than a foreign emergency vet bill.

• Paperwork is King: If you are from the UK, the EU Pet Passport is gone. You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every single trip. If you are from the US/Canada, you need an EU Health Certificate endorsed by APHIS/CFIA.

• The Rabies Rule: Your pet must be microchipped before their rabies vaccination. The vaccine must be at least 21 days old before travel.

• Parasites Change by Latitude: Ticks in Germany carry different diseases than sandflies in Italy. Your monthly preventative at home might not be enough here.

• The Transport: The Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) is the gold standard for campervan adventures because you stay with your pet. Ferries usually require pets to stay in the vehicle or a kennel deck.

• Breed Bans: Be hyper-aware of breed-specific legislation (BSL). France and Denmark have strict rules regarding "fighting dog" phenotypes.

• Heat Kills: AC is rarely standard in European campsites. You need a robust temperature management strategy.

In my years in practice, nothing causes more headaches than the paperwork. Since Brexit, the rules for traveling with pets in Europe from the UK have changed drastically, and for those flying in from North America to rent a van, the process is equally rigorous. Let’s break it down by origin.

1. Traveling from the UK (The AHC)

The glory days of the lifetime UK Pet Passport are over. Now, for every trip to the EU or Northern Ireland, you need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

• Timing: You must visit an Official Veterinarian (OV) no more than 10 days before you travel.

• Validity: Once issued, it is valid for 4 months of onward travel within the EU.

• Cost: This can range from £100 to £300 per trip. Shop around; prices vary wildly between clinics.

2. Traveling from the US/Canada (EU Health Certificate)

If you are flying over to start your campervan adventures, you need an EU Health Certificate (Annex IV). This must be completed by a USDA-accredited vet (in the US) and then endorsed by the USDA APHIS office. The endorsement must happen within 10 days of arrival in Europe.

3. The 90/180 Day Schengen Rule

This applies to you, the human, but it affects your pet. Non-EU citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area for 90 days within any 180-day period. Why does this matter for your pet? Because if you overstay, you risk deportation, and coordinating pet transport during a forced exit is a nightmare I don't want you to experience.

4. The Tapeworm Rule (Echinococcus)

This is critical for re-entry. If you are entering the UK, Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway, your dog must be treated for tapeworm by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 days before arrival. The vet must record this in your AHC or Passport. I have seen families turned away at the ferry terminal because they tried to administer the pill themselves—it must be done by a vet.

For most UK-based vanlifers, the journey starts at the English Channel. As a behaviorist, I have strong feelings about which method is best for your pet's mental health.

The Eurotunnel (LeShuttle)

My Professional Recommendation: This is, hands down, the least stressful way to cross. You drive your campervan onto the train, and you stay inside the vehicle with your pets for the 35-minute crossing.

• Pros: You are there to comfort them. You can monitor the temperature. No separation anxiety.

• Cons: It is often more expensive than the ferry.

The Ferry

On most ferry routes (like Dover-Calais), pets must remain in the vehicle on the car deck, or in a designated kennel area. You are generally not allowed to stay with them.

• The Risk: Car decks are loud, smell like gasoline, and car alarms frequently go off due to the ship's motion. For a nervous dog, this is a traumatic event.

• Pet-Friendly Cabins: Some longer routes (like Harwich to Hook of Holland or ferries to Spain) offer pet in cabin to Europe options. These are excellent but book up months in advance. If you choose a ferry, splurge for the cabin. Leaving a dog in a vehicle for a 24-hour crossing to Santander is not something I recommend unless you have a high-tech temperature monitoring system and permitted visitation times.

When you are traveling with pets in Europe, you are entering different biomes with different biological threats. Here is how to prepare medically.

The Leishmaniasis Threat

If you are heading south (France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia), you are entering Sandfly territory. Sandflies transmit Leishmaniasis, a devastating, incurable disease.

• Prevention: Standard flea/tick drops are often not enough. You need a repellant. I usually recommend a Seresto collar or specific spot-ons containing permethrin (check with your vet—permethrin is toxic to cats!).

• Lifestyle: Sandflies are most active at dawn and dusk. Keep your pets inside the campervan with screens closed during these times.

Ticks and Babesiosis

Central Europe creates a high risk for Babesiosis. Ensure your oral flea/tick preventative (like Bravecto, NexGard, or Simparica) is up to date. I also recommend carrying a tick twister tool—do not use tweezers, as you risk squeezing the tick's gut contents into your pet.

Dr. Stone’s Essential First Aid Kit

Don't rely on finding a pharmacy in rural Albania. Pack this:

1. Rectal Thermometer: Essential for heatstroke detection.

2. Probiotics: Stress diarrhea is common with travel.

3. Chlorhexidine wipes: For cleaning minor scrapes.

4. Vet Wrap & Gauze: For bandaging paws (hiking injuries are common).

5. Antihistamine: (Ask your vet for the dosage) for insect stings.

6. Digital Copy of Records: Scan your vaccination history and blood work to the cloud.

Living in 60 square feet with an animal requires choreography. Let's talk about the practical side of campervan adventures.

The Danger of Heat

European summers are getting hotter, and unlike the US, massive RVs with generator-powered AC are rare. A campervan turns into an oven in minutes.

• Temperature Monitors: I insist my clients use a remote monitor like Waggle or Nimble. These send alerts to your phone if the van gets too hot. Note: These require a subscription and cellular signal.

• The MaxxAir Fan: If you are building a van, install two roof fans—one pulling air in, one pushing out—to create a wind tunnel.

• Cooling Mats & Vests: Essential gear for July in Provence.

Safe Restraint While Driving

I cannot stress this enough: A loose dog is a projectile. In a collision at 30mph, a 60lb dog becomes a 2,700lb force.

• Crash-Tested Crates: Brands like Gunner or TransK9 are gold standards. Bolt them to the chassis.

• Crash-Tested Harnesses: If a crate doesn't fit, use a Sleepypod Clickit or Kurgo Impact harness attached to a seatbelt anchor, not just a bungee cord.

Managing Mud and Mess

Vanlife logistics involve dirt. Lots of it.

• The AirLock: If you have a rear door, set up a wash station with a portable sprayer (like a RinseKit) to hose off paws before they enter the bed.

• Quick-Dry Towels: Microfiber towels are vital. Cotton takes too long to dry in a van.

Europe has a vast network of campsites, but not all welcome four-legged guests.

The Campsite Hierarchy

1. Agriturismo (Italy) / France Passion: These are farm stays. Often very dog-friendly, but beware of farm dogs and livestock. Keep your dog on a long line.

2. Commercial Campsites: High-end sites often charge a fee for dogs (€3-€8 per night) and may have "pet showers." Check regulations—some ban dogs in July/August.

3. Wild Camping: Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden) have "Allemannsretten" (Right to Roam), making them paradise for campervan adventures. You can camp anywhere on uncultivated land. However, strict leash laws apply to protect wildlife.

The Yellow Ribbon Project

If you have a reactive dog (a dog that needs space), tie a yellow ribbon or yellow bandana on their leash. This is a recognized signal across much of Europe (especially Scandinavia and the UK) that means "Please give me space." It is a polite way to advocate for your dog in crowded tourist spots.

Traveling with pets in Europe requires a shift in mindset. You might not visit the Louvre (dogs aren't allowed), but you will hike the Dolomites. You might skip the crowded beaches of Barcelona, but you'll find a secluded river in Slovenia.

As you prepare for your trip, remember that your pet relies on you for their safety. Double-check your paperwork, invest in safety gear, and always, always monitor the temperature. The bond you build while navigating the winding roads of the Alps or sharing a sunrise in the Highlands is worth every bit of the logistical headache.

Pack your passport, grab the treats, and get out there. Safe travels!