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The Animal Health Certificate.
The biggest post-Brexit change for dog owners is the Animal Health Certificate. Unless you hold a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland, this is now your most important document. Your AHC is issued by an Official Veterinarian in the UK. It is not a one-off document; you need a new one each time you go.
- Timing. Get your AHC no more than 10 days before you reach the EU border.
- Validity. It covers 10 days for entry into the EU, four months of travel within the EU, and four months for your return to the UK.
- Cost. Prices vary considerably. Expect to pay between GBP 89 and GBP 350 per certificate. Some vets specialise in AHCs for travellers and charge noticeably less than a standard practice. It is worth a few phone calls before you book.
The AHC's four-month validity lines up well with the Schengen 90-day rule. If you are planning a long winter tour in Spain, ensure your return date falls within that four-month window, or you will need to visit an EU vet for a new document to get home.
Rabies and microchips
The microchip must go in before the rabies vaccination. If the chip was implanted after the jab, or if the chip number does not match the records in your AHC, the certificate will be invalid at the border.
The rabies vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before your AHC is issued. If your dog is on a three-year booster schedule, check now that it will still be current when you travel. You cannot cross into the EU during the 21-day wait after a primary vaccination.
The rule that catches the most people.
The EU does not ask for a tapeworm treatment when you arrive. But the UK requires one before you come home. This is the rule that catches more travellers out than any other, so read it carefully.
Before you board your ferry or Eurotunnel crossing back to the UK, you must visit a vet in Europe. They will administer an approved tapeworm treatment containing praziquantel and record it in your AHC.
The window is strict: 24 to 120 hours.
The treatment must happen no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours, 1 to 5 days, before your scheduled arrival in the UK. If your paperwork falls outside that window at the port, even by a few minutes, the carrier will not board your dog. You will need to find a local vet, repeat the treatment, and wait another 24 hours before you can try again.
Plan your vet appointment before you book your sailing. Do not leave it to the morning of departure.
The border in 2026.
As of 10 April 2026, the Entry/Exit System, EES, is live. This applies to you as the traveller, not your dog, but it changes the crossing experience. At the border you will need to give fingerprints and have your photo taken as part of a biometric registration.
Your first crossing of 2026 will almost certainly take longer than you are used to. If your dog is in the van while you are processed, make sure they have water and good ventilation. Do not leave this to chance in summer.
Also on the horizon for mid-2026 is ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. This is a pre-travel authorisation that will cost EUR 7 per adult and will be free for travellers over 70. Applications are not open yet. If you find a website asking you to apply now, leave it. Many of them are scams charging well over the official fee.
Northern Ireland and the rule of five
Travelling from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland works differently. EU Pet Passports issued in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland remain valid for travel within the EU.
One rule applies everywhere: you can travel with a maximum of five pets per person. If you have more dogs than that, you will need enough passengers in the vehicle to cover the total, or the animals may be treated as a commercial consignment. That means TRACES paperwork, which is a significantly more involved process.
Keeping the dog safe on the road.
Once the folder of paperwork is zipped up in the glovebox, the good bit starts. But a few practical things are worth getting right before you leave.
In most European countries, dogs must be restrained while the vehicle is moving. A crash-tested harness or a fixed crate are the standard options. Check what is required in each country you plan to visit.
Payload is worth thinking about too. A large dog, a sturdy crate, and enough food for a month add up faster than you might expect. If you are already close to your 3,500 kg limit, buy food on the road rather than loading 30 kg of kibble onto the van before you have even left the drive.
Managing the heat
European summers can be brutal, and a motorhome heats up far faster than a house. Both of those facts matter a great deal when you have a dog on board.
- The 5-second rule. Before your walk, press the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If you cannot hold it there, the surface will burn your dog's paws.
- Cooling mats. A pressure-activated gel mat asks nothing of your electric hookup and nothing of your water supply. It just quietly absorbs heat while your dog lies on it.
- Never leave them alone. Even with a window cracked and a fan running, a parked van can reach a fatal temperature within minutes. If a stop is not dog-friendly, one of you stays with the dog in the shade. No exceptions.
The pine processionary caterpillar.
If you are in southern France, Spain, Portugal or Italy between February and May, watch for pine processionary caterpillars. They live in white, silky nests high in pine trees, then drop to the ground and march in long nose-to-tail lines across the forest floor. Their hairs are highly toxic: contact causes severe allergic reactions, tongue swelling, and tissue death in dogs. If your dog licks or mouths one, it can be fatal within hours.
In pine forests during spring, keep your dog on a short lead. Carry a bottle of water so you can rinse their mouth immediately if you suspect contact, then get to a vet straight away.
Country rules, and campsite etiquette.
Campsite etiquette
Most European campsites welcome dogs, but the standards they expect are high. A little awareness goes a long way.
- The mesh fencing assumption. Do not assume you can let your dog roam your pitch inside a portable run unless the site has given explicit permission. Most sites require a fixed tether or short lead at all times.
- Barking. Campsites across Europe tend to be genuinely quiet after 10 PM. A dog that barks at every passing cyclist will earn you a warning and, if it continues, a request to move on.
- Cleaning up. Fouling fines are real and enforced in many European countries. On-the-spot penalties can be steep. Always carry bags and always use them.
Finding a vet, and feeding your dog
Finding a vet is easier than most people expect. On Google Maps, search Veterinaire in France, Veterinario in Italy or Spain, and Tierarzt in Germany. Vets in tourist areas are well used to UK visitors and the tapeworm paperwork, and most speak good English. One thing to sort before you leave: your GHIC or EHIC card covers your own healthcare, not your dog's. Check that your pet insurance policy covers European travel, as many cap this at 30 or 60 days a year.
Since Brexit, bringing meat or dairy products into the EU is not permitted. That rule covers dog food too, and it definitely covers raw meat diets. A single open bag of dry kibble is unlikely to cause a problem, but a freezer loaded with raw tripe is likely to be confiscated. The easier approach is to switch to a brand sold widely across Europe; Royal Canin and Hill's are both available in large supermarkets including E. Leclerc, Carrefour and Mercadona. Your dog may need a week to adjust. On water, do not let your dog drink from stagnant ponds or slow streams, particularly in southern Europe, where the risk of Giardia and Leptospirosis is meaningfully higher than at home.
The questions people ask most.
How much does an AHC cost for a motorhome trip to Europe?
Between GBP 89 and GBP 350. Prices vary between practices, so it pays to shop around. Some vets specialise in AHCs and charge considerably less than a standard high-street practice. A new certificate is required for every trip, so the cost recurs each time you travel.
Do I need a new AHC for every trip?
Yes. Unlike the old Pet Passport, which lasted for years, you need a fresh AHC for every single trip to the EU. It must be issued no more than 10 days before you reach the EU border. Once issued, it covers 10 days for entry, four months of onward travel within the EU, and four months for re-entry to the UK.
What is the tapeworm treatment rule for returning to the UK?
A vet must administer praziquantel between 24 and 120 hours before your scheduled UK arrival time. That is between 1 and 5 days before you travel home. The treating vet records this in your AHC. The window is strict: if your paperwork falls outside it by even a few minutes, the ferry or tunnel operator will not allow your dog on board.
Is ETIAS required for my dog?
No. ETIAS applies to human travellers only. For your dog you still need a valid AHC, or EU Pet Passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland, a microchip, and a current rabies vaccination.
Are dogs allowed on European campsites?
Most do accept dogs, but standards are high. A lead is required at all times on the vast majority of sites. Quiet hours after 10 PM are taken seriously, fouling fines are genuinely enforced, and temporary mesh runs are not permitted on most pitches without explicit site approval. A fixed tether or short lead is the safest assumption throughout your stay.