Guide
Travelling to Norway with a dog
Norway isn't in the EU and has stricter entry rules - with the right preparation, the crossing with your dog is straightforward.
- Entry requirements at a glance - microchip, rabies, tapeworm treatment
- Accommodation varies by operator, ship and route
- Always book your pet with Color Line, Fjord Line or Go Nordic
Entry requirements
What your dog needs for Norway
Norway isn't in the EU, so stricter rules apply than for most European neighbours. The tapeworm treatment in particular has to be given within the right time window.
EU pet passport
ISO microchip
Rabies vaccination
Tapeworm treatment
Customs declaration
Travelling with your dog on board
Table of Contents
Travelling with your dog on board
The shipping companies on the Norway routes covered here all carry pets. How your dog is accommodated, though, depends not just on the length of the crossing but on the operator, ship and chosen departure. Register your dog when you book.
| Route/operator | Typical bookable accommodation | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Kiel - Oslo / Color Line | pet cabin or kennel | limited availability; pets not permitted on every mini-cruise product |
| Hirtshals - Larvik/Kristiansand / Color Line | vehicle or on-board kennel, depending on departure | access and visiting rules for the vehicle deck |
| Hirtshals - Kristiansand / Fjord FSTR | designated area on the aft deck | no pet cabins or kennels on the catamaran |
| Hirtshals - Stavanger/Bergen / Fjord Line | pet cabin, kennel or vehicle, depending on booking option | ship, availability and access times |
| Copenhagen - Oslo / Go Nordic Cruiseline | pet option at booking | current cabin and deck rules |
On the day ferries
On Color Line's short crossings from Hirtshals, such as
and
, you choose your vehicle or an on-board kennel depending on the offer. Fjord Line's Fjord FSTR, by contrast, has a designated outdoor area on the aft deck but no pet cabins or kennels. So don't rely on a general 'day ferry' rule - check the specific departure.
On the overnight ferries
On the long overnight routes such as
, Hirtshals - Stavanger and Hirtshals - Bergen, a pet cabin is the most reliable option if one is available for your departure. Availability is limited. With Go Nordic Cruiseline on Copenhagen - Oslo, you also choose the current pet option directly during booking.
The entry checklist is based on the requirements of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Mattilsynet, checked on 11 August 2026. Check the current official rules for dogs from the EU/EEA again shortly before you travel.
Banned dog breeds
Norway bans the import and keeping of certain dog breeds and their crossbreeds. This includes:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Tosa Inu
- Dogo Argentino
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Also banned are wolf hybrids of any generation. If there's doubt about a breed, customs or police can ask for proof of pedigree. If a banned dog enters the country, it risks seizure and refusal of entry.
FAQ dogs & pets
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about travelling with a dog on the ferry to Norway
What documents does my dog need to enter Norway?+
Norway isn't in the EU and sets stricter requirements. You need an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry), an EU pet passport and a tapeworm treatment with praziquantel given 24 to 120 hours before entry. On arrival, present the animal to customs without being asked, via the red channel.
When does the tapeworm treatment need to be done?+
The tapeworm treatment with praziquantel must be given within a fixed window of 24 to 120 hours (that is, one to five days) before entry and recorded with date and time in the pet passport. Plan the vet visit to match your ferry's departure.
Where is my dog accommodated during the crossing?+
That depends on the operator, ship and route. Color Line offers pet cabins and kennels on Kiel - Oslo; different accommodation options apply on the short Hirtshals routes. At Fjord Line, the Fjord FSTR and the cruise ferries differ. Choose your pet option when booking and check what's offered for that departure.
Do I need to register my dog in advance?+
The number of pet cabins is limited and often booked up early in high season. Register your dog when you book, not just when you arrive at the terminal. On the overnight ferries, a pet cabin is the most comfortable solution, since the vehicle decks are closed during the crossing.