On a plane, a dog or cat can travel in the cabin, in a carrier under the seat, or in the hold, but only if the airline allows it and within the weight and size limits it sets. To travel between EU countries with a dog, cat or ferret you need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. Not every airline takes pets: Ryanair, for example, only carries guide and assistance dogs. Here is how to plan the trip.
Cabin or hold: how it works
| Option | For | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| In the cabin | Small dogs and cats | In a carrier under the seat, with a maximum weight (pet plus carrier) set by the airline |
| In the hold | Larger animals | Only with airlines that offer it, in a suitable rigid crate |
| Guide and assistance dogs | Passengers with disabilities | Separate rules: usually in the cabin and free, but not on every route |
| Not carried | Other pets | Some airlines do not accept pets at all, in the cabin or the hold |
Pet places on each flight are limited and the service usually has to be added to the booking and paid for. Before you buy the ticket, read the airline's rules: species accepted, maximum weight, carrier size and how many animals per passenger and per flight.
Documents for travelling in the EU with a dog, cat or ferret
EU rules apply to private trips, with no sale or change of ownership. Your pet must have:
- a microchip (or a legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011);
- a valid rabies vaccination;
- an EU pet passport, issued by an authorised vet, for travel between EU countries;
- tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment if you are going to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland.
The passport is valid for the animal's lifetime as long as its health records, such as the rabies vaccination, are up to date. To enter the EU from a non-EU country you need an EU health certificate issued by an official vet no more than 10 days before arrival and, from most countries, a rabies antibody test. EU pet passports issued to owners living in Great Britain have not been valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland since 1 January 2021. You can travel with up to 5 pets, with exceptions for competitions and shows. Birds, rodents, rabbits and reptiles follow the national rules of the destination.
How to prepare, step by step
- Choose the airline to suit your pet: check whether it takes animals in the cabin or the hold and with what limits.
- Book your pet's place as soon as you buy your ticket, because places are few.
- See the vet early: microchip, vaccination, passport or health certificate and, if needed, tapeworm treatment.
- Check the rules of your destination and of the country you return to with the official authorities.
- Get your pet used to the carrier in the days before, with a familiar blanket inside.
- Arrive early at the airport: documents and carrier are checked at the desk.
Rules differ a lot between airlines: see, for example, our guide to pets in the cabin with Vueling.
If the flight is delayed or cancelled
With a pet, every hour of waiting feels longer. Compensation under Regulation EC 261/2004 is for passengers, not animals: if the flight arrives 3 hours or more late, is cancelled with less than 14 days' notice or you are bumped because of overbooking, you may be owed €250, €400 or €600 per person, even when you travel with your dog or cat. Our flight delay compensation page explains the rules. With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed compensation: you pay nothing upfront and our fee is 25% + VAT only if you get compensated.
Frequently asked questions about flying with pets
Can I take my dog in the cabin?
Yes, if it is small and the airline allows it: usually in a carrier under the seat, within a maximum weight that includes the carrier.
Does Ryanair carry dogs and cats?
No, Ryanair does not carry animals on board, except guide and assistance dogs on certain routes.
What documents does my dog need to travel in Europe?
A microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport; for some countries, tapeworm treatment as well.
Does an EU pet passport expire?
No, it is valid for the animal's lifetime as long as its health records, such as the rabies vaccination, are up to date.
Is there compensation for my pet if the flight is delayed?
No, compensation is for passengers: €250, €400 or €600 per person depending on the flight distance.
Work out your compensation now
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- Free check, no commitment
- No upfront costs: 25% + VAT only if we win
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Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.