Guide 2026
Travelling to Norway with Your Dog
Norway is not an EU member and applies stricter entry rules - with the right preparation, the crossing with your dog is straightforward.
- Entry requirements at a glance - microchip, rabies, tapeworm treatment
- Pet cabins on the overnight ferries, kennels on deck for the day routes
- Every Norway route with your dog - Color Line and Fjord Line
Entry Requirements
What Your Dog Needs for Norway
Norway is not part of the EU - so stricter rules apply than for most other European destinations. The tapeworm treatment in particular must be given within the correct time window.
EU pet passport
ISO microchip
Rabies vaccination
Tapeworm treatment
Customs declaration
Your Dog on Board
Your Dog on Board
Dogs and other pets are welcome on all ferries to Norway. How your pet is accommodated depends mainly on the length of the crossing.
On the day ferries
On the short crossings, such as
and
, your dog stays in the car on the vehicle deck or in one of the on-board kennels for the duration of the trip. Because vehicle decks are closed off for safety reasons while under way, you won't be able to reach your pet during the crossing. Given the short sailing times this is easy to manage, but make sure your dog has water and a cool, shaded spot in the vehicle beforehand.
On the overnight ferries
On the longer overnight routes, such as
, a pet cabin is well worth booking. Your dog spends the crossing with you instead of alone on the vehicle deck. These cabins are limited in number, so register one when you book rather than leaving it to the terminal. Dogs must be kept on a lead outside the cabin, and a designated area on the outer deck is available for toilet breaks.
FAQ Dogs & Pets
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and answers about travelling with your dog on the ferry to Norway
What documents does my dog need to enter Norway?+
Norway is not an EU member and applies 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 24 to 120 hours before entry. On arrival, present your pet proactively at customs 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 (one to five days) before entry, and recorded with date and time in the pet passport. Plan the vet visit around your ferry's departure time accordingly.
Where does my dog stay during the crossing?+
It depends on the route. On short day crossings such as Hirtshals - Larvik, your pet stays in the car on the vehicle deck or in one of the on-board kennels for the crossing. On overnight ferries such as Kiel - Oslo, dedicated pet cabins let your dog spend the night with you.
Do I need to register my dog in advance?+
The number of pet cabins is limited and books up early in peak season. Register your dog when you book, not just at the terminal. On overnight ferries the pet cabin is the most comfortable option, since the vehicle decks are closed off during the crossing.