In May 2026, we took Reef (our dog) to France for the first time using the Channel Tunnel. We were starting our big one-year adventure!

The process of taking Reef to Europe via the Channel Tunnel was very simple and shouldn’t be feared! I will break down the steps we followed in the run-up to May 2026 and how we found the experience at the Channel Tunnel. However, please do check the current requirements, as they may change.

How do I Take my Dog to Mainland Europe?

Below, I’ll list all of the steps we took to get Reef ready for Europe:

• Your dog must be microchipped, so check this first!
• Make sure your dog’s regular vaccines are up to date.
• Arrange a rabies vaccine with your vet. Ideally, do this a few months in advance of your trip. The exact time it takes for the vaccine to become fully effective can vary between the types of vaccine used, so it is best to be on the safe side and allow a few months. The minimum duration is 21 full days after the first vaccination.
• Book your Channel Tunnel crossing with a pet included on your booking.
• Arrange an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). A few notes to help you arrange the AHC:
  • You will need the vet who administered the vaccines to send the evidence of the vaccines directly to the company doing your AHC.
  • You must cross to France within 10 days of the AHC being issued.
  • Be careful if you live in the north of England (it might be the same for Scotland); we received some expensive quotes for the AHC. In the end, we used a company called EasyAHC, which cost £99 in April 2026. This was brilliant: 90% of the process was done online, we then arranged a meeting point with a EasyAHC vet after hours. They scanned Reef’s microchip, the vet confirmed this was correct against the vet’s records and the AHC, the vet and ourselves signed the AHC, and finally, the vet stamped the AHC. Very simple.
• Take your AHC with you when you cross into France.

Channel Tunnel Crossing

The Channel Tunnel is well equipped for dogs crossing, and the process was quick and simple. There is a pet reception which is marked with paw-print signposts. Follow the paw prints to an air-conditioned check-in room. You should arrive at minimum 90 minutes before your booked departure time.

Make sure to take your dog’s AHC with you to the check-in, as well as the details of your booking. The team will scan your dog’s microchip and compare this to the details on the AHC. Once completed, you are given a sticker for your car and you are ready to go!

The Channel Tunnel waiting area is also well prepared for dogs. There is a dedicated outdoor dog park with water bowls, artificial grass and small obstacles for your dog to jump over. There is a separate section for female dogs in season so they can be separated from other dogs. Dogs are allowed in the duty-free building; the only area they are not allowed in is the food hall.

What about countries outside of the EU?

The above covers most EU countries. We are also taking our dog to the Balkans and Morocco, and we have had to take a few more steps to prepare for this.

At the start of our trip, we found a vet to take a blood sample to complete a rabies titre blood test. This is a requirement for bringing Reef back into EU countries from the Balkans and Morocco. This blood test is to show she has the correct level of antibodies. Once the dog has had the blood test, it remains valid as long as you keep the rabies vaccine up to date.

Be warned, this blood test is not cheap; it is around 200–300 euros!

We received the blood test results back in a few weeks, Reef passed which was a huge relief! We got the results emailed to us and received a letter to our home address in the UK (which has since been brought out by family). We’ve kept the confirmation letter ready for when we cross back into Europe. We have taken Reef into Bosnia and Montenegro, but are yet to return to an EU country. Stay tuned for updates on how we manage this!

FAQs about taking a dog to Europe

Is taking a dog to Europe difficult?

No! We were nervous that the process might be hard or confusing, but the process was very simple, and you shouldn’t let the formalities put you off.

Is taking your dog to Europe worth it?

Absolutely, yes! Having Reef on our adventures with us has undoubtedly increased our happiness and enjoyment. Yes, bringing her means more logistics, but it’s absolutely worth it when we see her running about, smelling all of the new smells, rolling in the grass and meeting new people. You really can’t beat it.

Where do I start?

I’d start with planning your trip, understanding your timeline and deciding which countries you want to go to. You can work backwards from there. You need to have a pretty good idea of when you want to cross into mainland Europe before you can book your AHC.

How long does an AHC last?

Once you have your AHC, you have 10 days to enter the EU. Once you are in the EU, the AHC is valid for up to 6 months for onward travel within the EU and for re-entry to Great Britain, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever is sooner.

Be warned: the AHC can only be used for one trip! The rules can change on this, so please check the UK government website to ensure these values are still correct before your trip.

How much is an Animal Health Certificate?

We paid £100 using an online company called EasyAHC in April 2026. I believe this is a fairly standard price in the south of Britain.

Be warned! if you live in the north of England, and probably Scotland as well, the price can be significantly more. So check the prices very carefully! We were quoted between £200-£300 before finding the online alternative.

My dog still has a pet passport from the last time we went to France. Is this still okay?

Not if the Pet Passort was issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland), as they are no longer valid for travel into EU countries. You’ll need to follow the Animal Health Certificate process.

If your pet passport was issued elsewhere it may still be valid, check the UK Goverment website for the current guidance.

Final Thoughts on Taking Your Dog to Europe

Taking your dog to Europe is not something to fear. It is a simple process, and once you’ve completed it once, you’ll be a pro! The benefits of taking your dog to Europe speak for themselves; the joy of travelling around with your dog is unbeatable!

Once you cross, you’ll find Europe to be a dog-friendly environment. Certain countries really do stand out, like Italy, where you’ll see large and small dogs sitting in trolleys in the supermarkets! So much fun can be had with your dog, so take the leap and take your dog on a holiday!

Remember! These process may change, so do check the process yourself again when planning your trip. The UK government website is one of the best place to check; the information is easy to understand and always up to date.