Taking a driving holiday to the Continent may be wishful thinking right now, but for those optimistic sorts planning to take the family dog with them when they go away this summer it’s essential to know the legal ins and outs of driving with your pet in the EU since the end of the Brexit transition on 1 January 2021.
It’s also worth knowing these new rules on travel with your dog apply to those travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland as well as into European Union countries.
New rules
Changes to animal transport laws mean that dog owners looking to take their pet from England, Scotland and Wales into an EU country, or Northern Ireland, will now require an Animal Health Certificate from an official vet before they can take their dog away.
But before the Animal Health Certificate can be issued, the dog must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the certificate is applied for.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll need to obtain the certificate no more than 10 days before you enter the European Union (or Northern Ireland).
Once issued, and you’ve entered the EU with you pet pooch, the Animal Health Certificate is valid for a single trip of up to four months.
If you leave the EU, in other words, come back home to Britain, then the certificate is no longer valid. So if you drive abroad again on another holiday, you’ll need a new Animal Health Certificate. However, if you visit more than than one EU country on your inevitable post-Covid grand tour without coming home you can use the same certificate.
Each certificate usually costs around £60.
In-car dog safety rules
As well as the Animal Health Certificate, there are also rules about how to keep yourself legal, and your dog safe in the car, while driving. However, these vary depending on the country you’re in.
Given you’ll be setting off from the UK, you’ll already need ot be following Rule 57 of the Highway Code which states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.”
France has a similar rule to the UK, so version of man’s best friend should not be able to roam around the cabin and be able to interfere with the act of driving – or even leap from the boot to the passenger area.
It’s similar in Germany. The German equivalent of the Highway Code, under Rule 22 and Rule 23, also states that pets must be secured when their being transported and, depending on the exact nature of any violation, drivers risk a €35-50 fine.
In Italy the law says that a single dog under 25kg should be restrained in the vehicle and not distract the driver. However, larger dogs (over 25kg) must be carried in a special crate secured with a metal grille or dog guard. This higher level also applies if you’re transporting more than one dog, no matter what their weight. Fines for infringement range from €71-286.
Spain follows the Italian thinking closely with smaller dogs allowed in the cabin – provided they’re secured and larger dogs in a suitable crate mounted in the boot. Online reports also show that the Spanish police take a very dim view of holidaymakers leaving their dogs in cars in hot weather. Doing this could land you in serious trouble via an animal cruelty charge.
And it almost goes without saying that no matter what country you’re driving in with your dog, you shouldn’t ever leave it along in a car on a sunny or hot day.
Multiple dogs
One final rule from the EU is that if you’re going on a holiday by car then there’s a maximum number of dogs you bring, and that’s five. However, if the trip isn’t a holiday and, instead, you’re driving to the EU to take part in a sporting event, competition or exhibition involving your pets, then you can bring more.
Keyword: New EU dog travel law; everything drivers need to know