Holiday with a Dog 2026: EU Regulations, Travel, Packing List
By Kathrin | Updated May 2026
The suitcase is half-packed, the dog is already in the hallway guarding his leash as if, without it, the whole plan would fall apart. This is precisely where the topic begins: not with the pretty accommodation, but with the question of whether your dog can handle the journey and the location well. Holidays with a dog can be great – or they can fail due to minor details that no one had considered beforehand.
In short: A good holiday with a dog does not depend on the region, but on pace, routine, and an honest assessment of your dog. Three things are important: up-to-date travel documents (EU pet passport with valid rabies vaccination, microchip), a journey suitable for your dog (in the car, breaks every 2-3 hours, more like every 2 hours in heat), and accommodation that isn't just "dog-friendly" but practical for everyday use. If you consider these things, the trip will be more relaxed for both of you.
New EU Rules for Holidays with Dogs since April 2026
Before we talk about beaches, holiday homes, or travel – the EU tightened regulations for pet travel on April 22, 2026. This affects anyone traveling across borders with a dog. The basic rules remain the same, but the details have been refined.
What remains unchanged:
- ISO microchip (Standards 11784/11785) is still mandatory
- Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, dog at least 12 weeks old at first vaccination
- EU pet passport remains the central travel document within the EU
- Maximum 5 pets per traveler
What's new:
- The regulations are consolidated into a single, unified regulation as of April 2026
- Pet passports include additional information, such as an origin code
- As of October 1, 2026, new animal health certificates will be required for entry from non-EU countries
- Old EU pet passports remain valid until the end of 2027
For most owners, this practically means: check the pet passport thoroughly before the trip. Does the microchip number match the entry? Is the rabies vaccination still valid? Do you have enough lead time if a booster is needed? If you are traveling to non-EU countries (such as Switzerland, Great Britain, or Turkey), you should also visit the vet in good time – different requirements apply there, sometimes including a rabies antibody test and waiting period.
Special country rules also apply to travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta, or Norway – a tapeworm treatment by a vet 24 to 120 hours before entry is mandatory there, with an entry in the passport.
Holiday with a dog starts before booking
Many people first look for dog-friendly hotels. I think this is the wrong order. First comes the question: What can my dog really handle? A young, resilient dog handles a train ride, strange beds, and crowded promenades differently from a senior, an insecure rescue dog, or a dog that barks at every hallway noise.
Only then do you look at the destination. A secluded cabin sounds romantic but is unpleasant if the nearest shade or shop is a 30-minute drive away. A holiday resort with many dogs sounds practical but can mean constant stress for some dogs. Not everything that is officially dog-friendly is also dog-suitable.
What kind of trip suits which dog?
When traveling with a dog, it's less about the brochure and more about the everyday reality on site. You don't need a perfect place, but one where your dog can relax.
| Trip type | Often good for | More difficult for |
|---|---|---|
| Country holiday home | noise-sensitive dogs, seniors, dogs with a clear routine | highly prey-driven dogs without reliable recall |
| City trip | calm, environmentally confident dogs | insecure dogs, heat-sensitive dogs |
| Beach holiday | water-loving, robust dogs with good recall | dogs that get overstimulated easily or don't tolerate sun well |
| Camping | adaptable dogs who handle proximity well | dogs that react to every noise or can't switch off |
| Mountain holiday | fit dogs with good obedience, normal joints | dogs with hip problems or seniors |
This classification is not a law. It merely helps against self-deception. If you know your dog collapses in the courtyard by noon, you shouldn't go to southern France in midsummer and call it an adventure.
The journey: Car, train, or better not so far?
The journey is often underestimated, yet for many dogs, it's the most strenuous part. In the car, the advantage is clear: breaks, temperature, and pace can be controlled. The disadvantage is equally clear: traffic jams, heat, and long stretches can quickly take their toll.
Car journey with a dog – the most important rules
Three things you shouldn't skip:
- Breaks every 2-3 hours, more like every 2 hours in heat or with puppies and seniors. Breaks should be at least 15-20 minutes so the dog can truly settle down and not just pee at the gas station.
- Use air conditioning, but the interior temperature, according to ADAC, should not be more than 10°C below the outside temperature. So, at 30°C outside, at least 20°C in the car, not less – otherwise, the temperature change when getting out will be too extreme for the dog.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, not even "just for a moment." A car heats up to 46°C within an hour, even at 20°C outside. At temperatures above 40°C, it becomes life-threatening for dogs within 15 minutes.
Practical tip from ADAC recommendation: In summer months, it's better to drive in the evening or at night. Dogs are calmer then, the car is less heated, and the risk of heat significantly decreases.
By train
On the train, the driving is eliminated, but cramped spaces, changing smells, and unfamiliar people are added. This can be relaxed if your dog is used to trains and stays well on their blanket. For nervous dogs, it's often more stressful than expected, especially during holiday periods. Important: Dogs larger than a house cat need their own ticket. Dog tickets are available via the Bahn app or at bahn.de.
For longer distances, I always ask myself a simple question: Am I really saving on relaxation with this destination, or am I sacrificing it already on the journey? A closer destination is often the more sensible choice. Sounds unsexy, but it's usually true.
Accommodation: Not just dog-friendly, but practical for everyday use
"Dogs allowed" initially just means your dog won't be turned away at reception. Nothing more. The details are crucial:
- Are there tiles or only sensitive floors?
- Is the outdoor area secured?
- Is the bedroom directly facing the street?
- How noisy is the house?
- Is the dog really allowed everywhere or just theoretically?
- How far is the walk to green spaces – five minutes or a ten-minute walk through the city center?
I would also always check what's happening right outside the door. Three floors without a lift are simply impractical with a large senior dog. An apartment in the middle of the old town is nice for the evening walk, but not if you have to walk through crowds of people for ten minutes in the morning before your dog can sniff in peace.
From my experience: Better to book something unspectacular and practical than photogenic and annoying. A clean ground-floor apartment with a short walk to green spaces almost always wins against a designer loft with a rooftop terrace. The dog doesn't care about Pinterest.
Daily life on holiday: Less agenda, more rhythm
Many people bring their dog but still plan a human-centric holiday. Morning outing, lunch at a restaurant, afternoon market, evening stroll along the promenade. For some dogs, this works. For many, it doesn't.
A holiday with a dog requires breaks, familiar routines, and downtime. New places, in particular, demand a lot of concentration. Smells, surfaces, noises, other dogs, different daily structures – all of this processes within the dog, even if they appear calm on the outside.
I don't believe in trying to "utilize" every minute. A good travel day often consists of a decent walk in the morning, a quiet midday, and a second, smaller activity later. Constantly entertaining your dog doesn't automatically result in a balanced dog; sometimes it just makes them overstimulated.
Food, water, breaks – the boring things save the holiday
The basics are revealed when traveling. Fresh water must always be readily available, especially in warm weather, on highways, or in cities with little shade. When it comes to food, experimentation is a bad travel companion. What works at home stays in the bowl.
Don't pack just enough. If you pack exactly seven daily rations for seven days and then get stuck in traffic, that's unnecessary stress. It's better to bring some extra, plus snacks that are easy to portion. Especially when on the go, small, well-tolerated treats help with recall, waiting, restaurant situations, or simply for a quiet moment on the blanket.
Heat, rules, stimulus density: What often goes wrong on location
Holidays in Europe sound straightforward, but the details make all the difference. In some regions, leashes are almost always mandatory, in others only seasonally. On many beaches, dogs are only allowed at certain times. In cities, hot asphalt and little shade can quickly become a problem in summer – as a rough rule of thumb: If you can't stand barefoot for ten seconds, your dog's paws are in danger.
Then there's the stimulus density. A dog that manages well in the park at home can still be constantly on edge in a holiday resort. Not because they are "difficult," but because holidays for dogs are often less about relaxation and more about an exceptional state. You don't have to dramatize it. You just have to take it seriously.
If your dog is panting, eating poorly, sleeping restlessly, or reacting strongly to minor things, it's worth slowing down. Shorter walks, quieter times in the accommodation, more rest periods. It's not a defeat to cancel an outing. It's good management.
Packing list with purpose, not panic
A good packing list isn't long, it's useful. Here are the things that must come along:
| Essential | Useful | Depending on destination |
|---|---|---|
| EU Pet Passport | Familiar blanket | Tick remover |
| Food for the trip plus reserve | Foldable travel bowls | Cooling mat |
| Water bowl and drinking water | Towel (for wet dogs) | Paw protection/paw balm |
| Leash plus spare leash | Address tag with holiday address | Muzzle (mandatory in some countries) |
| Poop bags | Small training snacks | Life vest (for water activities) |
| Any medications | Local vet contact details | Protection against sandflies (Mediterranean region) |
Three extra toys rarely make a difference. The familiar blanket, however, often does. It smells like home, and that's worth more than any new accessory when traveling.
Holiday with a dog also means: Adjusting expectations
Some trips get better as soon as you stop evaluating them by human standards. The dog doesn't need the most beautiful view. They need clarity, security, and reliable signals. If that's in place, almost any place can work. If that's missing, even the dream scenery won't help much.
That's why it's worth planning honestly. Is your dog suitable for restaurants? Can they relax in unfamiliar surroundings? Do they eat normally when traveling? Do they cope well with many dog encounters? The more soberly you answer these questions, the more pleasant the trip will be.
And if the answer to several points is no: Then maybe a big holiday isn't on the cards, but rather a few free days with good walks nearby. That's no less valuable. For many dogs, that's precisely the better version of relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Holidays with Dogs
Where is the best place to go on holiday with a dog?
The best place is where your dog can cope with the conditions. For many, a quiet holiday home with short walks outside is more relaxing than a crowded beach resort or a city center. Within Germany, the North and Baltic Seas, Black Forest, Allgäu, and Sauerland are classic popular destinations for dog holidays. Abroad, Denmark, Austria, or the Netherlands often work well because they are set up for dog owners.
What must I pack for a holiday with a dog?
Indispensable items are an EU pet passport, food (with reserve), water, bowls, leash, spare leash, sleeping place or blanket, poop bags, and any necessary medications. For summer trips, a cooling mat or a wet towel for breaks is added. For mountain trips, paw protection; for trips to the Mediterranean, protection against sandflies after consulting with the vet.
What EU rules apply to holidays with dogs in 2026?
Since April 22, 2026, EU rules for pet travel have been consolidated into a single regulation. A microchip, a valid EU pet passport, and a rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel remain mandatory. Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old for the first vaccination. For travel to Finland, Ireland, Malta, or Norway, a tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before entry is also required.
Is car or train better for dogs on holiday?
That depends on the dog. In the car, you have more control over breaks and temperature; on the train, the long driving stress from traffic jams is eliminated. For insecure or easily stressed dogs, the car is often easier, provided the journey isn't too long. In heat, both are strenuous – then it's better to drive early in the morning or in the evening.
How often should you take breaks on holiday with a dog?
During the car journey, every 2-3 hours; in heat or with young and old dogs, rather every 2 hours. A break should last at least 15-20 minutes so the dog can truly settle down. On location, many dogs need more rest periods than at home because new environments are tiring.
What to do if your dog seems stressed on holiday?
Then you reduce stimuli, not patience. Shorter walks, quiet times in the accommodation, familiar routines, and enough water often help significantly. If your dog deteriorates significantly, eats poorly, or shows physical abnormalities, it should be checked by a vet – even on holiday. Emergency vets can usually be found via the tourist information center or Google Maps.
Can my dog come into a restaurant?
In Germany, Austria, Italy, and France, there are many dog-friendly restaurants; in Scandinavia, generally fewer. It's worth asking beforehand or looking for a dog symbol on the menu page. Important: Your dog should learn to lie quietly under the table in a restaurant – this is not a talent, but a matter of practice. A quiet activity like a well-tolerated chew snack can help.
If you're looking for easily portioned rewards for travel, small training snacks are often more practical than trying to improvise from your backpack. Monoprotein training cubes are ideal – few crumbs, quick to give, done. For longer restaurant visits or breaks in the holiday home, it's worth taking a look at suitable snack strategies for training.
The best holiday with a dog rarely feels spectacular in the end. More often, it's calm, harmonious, and structured so that neither of you needs a holiday from your holiday afterwards.
Kathrin is the founder of Dogvanture and writes here about nutrition, behavior, and everyday life with dogs – honestly, without jargon. Travel regulations can change – up-to-date information can be found at the responsible veterinary office or on the official EU website for pet travel.