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 Pet travel guide · Calais–Dover

Calais Dover Ferry –
with Dog & Pets

Taking your dog or cat on the Calais–Dover ferry to England: all three operators allow pets. Here's everything you need to know – AHC, microchip, rabies vaccination and UK entry rules.

 Dogs & cats allowed  AHC required for UK entry  ~£20 supplement per pet  Plan 4–6 weeks ahead
Updated April 2026

What do I need to take my dog to England?

Since Brexit, the rules for bringing pets into the UK have changed significantly. The old EU pet passport is no longer valid for UK entry. Instead, every pet needs an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip.

 Important: AHC is NOT the same as the EU pet passport

The old blue EU pet passport is no longer accepted for UK entry. You need an AHC – issued by an officially accredited vet, valid for max. 10 days before departure, for every single trip.

The 3 basic requirements

1

ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit)

Your dog must be microchipped with an ISO-compatible chip (15 digits, standard ISO 11784/11785). The chip must have been implanted before the rabies vaccination.

2

Valid rabies vaccination

Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must have been given after the microchip. Puppies: earliest at 12 weeks. Boosters as required by the vaccine manufacturer.

3

Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

The AHC must be issued by an officially accredited vet – not every vet can do this. Valid for max. 10 days before departure. A new AHC is needed for every UK trip. Cost: approx. £60–120.

Ferry vs. Eurotunnel with a dog

 Calais–Dover Ferry
Where is the dog?In vehicle on car deck
Duration90 min
Dog alone in car90 min
Pet supplementapprox. £20/pet
Price (2 adults + car)from ~£90
 Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Where is the dog?With you in the car
Duration35 min
Dog alone in carNo
Pet supplementapprox. £25/pet
Price (2 adults + car)£140–250

 Tip: If your dog is anxious or nervous, consider the Eurotunnel – you stay with your dog the whole time. For relaxed dogs: the ferry is significantly cheaper.

 Book your ferry with pet

Register your pet at booking – P&O, DFDS & Irish Ferries compared.

Book ferry + pet →

Pet travel checklist – Calais Dover ferry

 Before departure – checklist

Frequently asked questions

Yes – all three operators (P&O Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Irish Ferries) allow dogs on the Calais–Dover ferry. Your pet must be registered at the time of booking. During the crossing, pets remain in the vehicle on the car deck.
The Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is the official entry document for pets entering the UK. It is issued by an officially accredited vet – not all vets can issue it. Valid for max. 10 days. Cost: approx. £60–120. You need a new AHC for every UK trip.
No – dogs and all pets must remain in the vehicle on the car deck during the entire crossing. Passengers are not permitted on the car deck during the voyage. The crossing lasts 90 minutes – provide water for your pet beforehand.
Before re-entering the EU from the UK, your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival in the EU. Find a vet in England, get the treatment done and recorded in the pet passport. Without proof, your dog may be turned away at the EU border.
Most operators charge approx. £15–25 per pet per crossing. The pet must be registered at booking – adding a pet later at the port is often more expensive or not possible at all.
Yes – the ETA is required for all human travellers (not for the animal). It costs £20 per person, is valid for 2 years and must be applied for before departure. Full UK ETA guide →