Can I bring my pet?
Of course! Don’t leave your four-legged friend behind, they’re part of the family! Bring them along so that they can share the adventures and enjoy the fun. With Stena Line, pets are welcome and you can pre-book your companion into a kennel, stay with you on onboard (there are some rules around this) or keep them inside the car on selected routes. Some of our ferries have pet friendly cabins that can be pre-booked too.
It is your responsibility to read in full the specific route requirements when travelling with your pet in addition to the general information underneath which applies to all Stena Line routes.
Harwich – Hook of Holland route
Gothenburg – Frederikshavn route
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What if I’m travelling with a guide, hearing or autism assistance dog?
Guide, hearing and autism assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of our ports and ships and are entitled to free travel. They have full access to the passenger decks on all Stena Line routes and vessels. All guide, hearing or autism assistance dogs must have the necessary paperwork when checking in at the port and must wear the correct harnesses and jackets at all times while travelling so that your dog can be instantly recognisable by the ship’s crew and other passengers.. Please visit our Guest Services desk when you board in order to show the relevant documentation for your dog to allow access to all areas onboard.
Assistance dogs must be:
- Either specifically trained to assist a person with a disability and certified by an organisation that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), the accrediting bodies for assistance dog organisations worldwide; or
- where they are not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or the IGDF, written evidence must be provided by a qualified dog trainer to prove that they have passed an assistance dog public access certification test in accordance with the requirements set by ADI, which you can access here.
If your dog does not meet the above criteria, or is an Emotional Support Dog that is not recognised as an assistance dog by ADI or IGDF, then your dog will not be allowed to travel in the public areas. In these cases, please book your dog to travel as a pet under our usual rules.
For assistance dogs travelling for free on our Hook of Holland - Harwich route, please book a pet-friendly cabin and add the dog on the "Meals, Stena Plus & Pets" step of the booking process. If a pet-friendly cabin is not available, please contact us and we will provide a suitable solution when other cabins are available on the sailing.
Passengers with severe allergies to dogs
Where other passengers have a severe allergy to dogs, we will alert the assistance dog owner and the passenger with the allergy. We may ask each party to avoid specific areas at specific times to reduce the possibility of an allergy attack e.g. when one party is eating in the restaurant, as we may not be able to provide the necessary medical attention in all cases.
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Can my Emotional Support Dog travel as an assistance dog?
We fully appreciate that Emotional Support Dogs (ESDs) provide comfort and support for passengers, however, when we are at sea, maritime laws ensure we put the safety of passengers and crew first.
If you do not have ADUK or IGDF certification for your ESD that you carry with you, they are to travel under the Stena Line guidance on ‘travelling with a pet’. Of course, your pet is more than welcome on board, but they must be booked into the Pet Lounge*, a pet-friendly cabin*, a kennel, or the car.
If you have an ESD query, please contact us. We recommend doing this at least 48 hours before your departure, so we can help you as best we can.
*Selected routes only
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What vaccinations does my pet need?
If you’re travelling to Britain and Europe, pets need to have documentation showing that the essential vaccinations have been carried out. Please note that it is your responsibility to provide all necessary documents and to make all arrangements, including, where necessary, quarantine, to satisfy all legal requirements.
Dogs must undergo a tapeworm treatment not less than 24 - 120 hours prior to check-in for travel to the UK from Continental Europe. The EU pet passport must show the time and date of treatment.
For residents of Northern Ireland please visit https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/travelling-pets for information although there will be no requirement for a pet passport or routine checks for non-commercial movement of pets between Northern Ireland and Great Britain until further notice.
Pets must be vaccinated against rabies. Firstly ensure your pet is microchipped or the vaccination will not count. The dog must be at least 12 weeks old before vaccination and the vaccination must be in date at the time of travel. You must wait 21 days from the date of the rabies vaccination before travelling.
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What travel documents will my pet need?
Under the EU pet movement system, all pet dogs, cats and ferrets moving between EU Member States must meet the same animal health rules. All pets travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, the UK and Continental Europe and across Europe must be microchipped and accompanied by an EU pet passport or health certificate - EU Pet Travel Scheme. The EU pet passport can be acquired at any authorised veterinarian after a microchip has been fitted and a successful blood test has been carried out.
Please note that it is your responsibility to provide all necessary documents and to make all arrangements, including, where necessary, quarantine, to satisfy all legal requirements.
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What responsibilities do I have for my pet whilst travelling by ferry?
- You are responsible for ensuring the animal's welfare.
- If your pets stay in a vehicle or in the onboard kennels, they must remain there for the duration of the crossing.
- We recommend that dogs should travel in our onboard kennels and Stena Line cannot be held responsible for any damage that may arise from not using our kennel facilities.
- Any passengers who bring a pet into a cabin that is not designated for pets, when a pet cabin is required, will have their cabin removed from their booking for the return leg of their journey without refund.
- It is your obligation to ensure that all conditions for EU pet travel and the UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) are met.
- Stena Line cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information given.
- Should your pet not meet the conditions of the EU pet travel and the UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) the animal is liable to be held in UK quarantine for a period of up to 6 months or be re-exported.
- Stena Line is obliged as an accredited PETS carrier to verify your documentation and will refuse the carriage of your pet if the documentation is in breach of the PETS rules.
- If you are planning to quarantine your pet you will be fully responsible for all arrangements and cost associated with this procedure. You will need to produce the relevant documentation to Stena Line prior to carriage.
- Stena Line cannot be held liable for any cost in connection with non-compliance with EU pet travel and PETS rules.
- We do not accept any responsibility for any liability or damage caused by your pet while on board. You accept that if an injury or incident occurs which was caused by your pet, you may be reported to the relevant authorities, and in some cases, it could give rise to criminal or other legal liability.
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If my pet remains in my vehicle can I check on it during the crossing?
To ensure the safety of our guests, the vehicle deck areas are not allowed to be accessed during the sailing. In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of our onboard team and with the Master's permission, a short, accompanied visit may be considered. Please note that this will be an exception and is not to be expected.
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What if I am travelling with more than 5 pets?
If you are travelling with 6 or more pets with the intention of attending a competition or show, you must complete an "Exemption from Commercial Movement" declaration form. You should book via our Contact Centre with evidence of the competition or show, then provide the exemption declaration form at check-in on the day of travel.
If you are travelling with 6 or more pets and are not travelling for a competition or show, you must book via Stena Line Freight and provide all necessary paperwork for the commercial movement of animals.
For more information, please visit:
Travelling with more than 5 pets to Britain
Exemption declaration forms when travelling to the UK with more than 5 pets
Commercial movement of pets from Northern Ireland
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I am travelling with horses, can I book online?
Horseboxes up to 12m in length can be booked online on our Belfast - Cairnryan and Belfast - Liverpool routes, on routes between Sweden and Denmark and on routes between Sweden and Germany. On these routes, vehicles over 12m in length must be booked via Stena Line Freight. Horseboxes under 14m in length can be booked for travel between Sweden and Poland. For all other routes please book via Stena Line Freight.
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Illicit Puppy Trading
Stena Line condemns the illicit puppy trade and tries to stop this practice. In cooperation with DAERA and DEFRA, Stena Line is actively taking action against the transport of dogs and puppies from puppy farms between Ireland and Great Britain. Investigators are authorized to stop and search vehicles belonging to people suspected of illegally dealing in dogs and puppies. All passengers who are guilty of illegally transporting dogs will be prevented from continuing their journey. The result is criminal prosecution and the confiscation of the puppies.
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Pets Liability Disclaimer
Stena Line cannot accept responsibility for any of the links from this web site, nor the content thereof. The links are provided purely for your benefit and Stena Line is not responsible for inaccuracies in the information provided.
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Travelling with your pet on the Irish Sea
Pre-booking your pet is mandatory:
Regardless of the option you choose when travelling with your pet, all pets, whether you are travelling by car or by foot, must be pre-booked in advance of travel.
Pet paperwork:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all of the required paperwork for your pet. Please ensure you are familiar with the EU and PETS rules before travelling.
When travelling from Britain into Ireland, you must complete an advance notice form and organise compliance checks for your pet in advance of your arrival into Ireland.
All dogs:
All dogs must be under the control of an adult at all times. Dogs must be wearing a collar and be on a non-retractable lead (no longer than 4 ft / 1.2 m in length) when being transferred to a kennel, to the Pet Lounge or to a pet cabin. If your dog is aggressive or has been aggressive to people or other animals it must wear a muzzle at all times except when inside a pet carrier case in the Pet Lounge or whilst in a pet cabin or in a pet kennel.
Banned dog breeds:
Please note, we will not transport any breed of dog that is banned by any Government in the EU or UK.
The following breeds are banned from travel as they are banned in either or all of our markets (UK, Ireland and France):
- XL Bullies
- Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Restricted dog breeds:
Please note that the following restricted breeds must remain in your vehicle at all times, including at the port and onboard:
- Bandog
- Boerboel
Your options when travelling on the Irish Sea:
When travelling with your pet on the Irish Sea you have a number of options to choose from depending on the route and ferry you are travelling on. Please note that these options could change should a temporary replacement vessel be in service on the route.
Pets in car
Pets can remain in your vehicle on all routes. On our Liverpool – Belfast route, whilst pets can remain in your vehicle, due to the length of the crossings and given that certain breeds of dogs are more sensitive to heat/poor air circulation in vehicles, we recommend that you either book a pet-friendly cabin or a pet kennel. Pets travel for free when remaining in your vehicle.
Pets in kennels
Kennels can be pre-booked on the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre.
Pet kennels are free when travelling between Cairnryan – Belfast, Holyhead – Dublin and Fishguard – Rosslare. On our Liverpool – Belfast route, a fee is payable per kennel each way.
Pet kennels on our Liverpool – Belfast route and the Stena Estrid on our Holyhead – Dublin route can be accessed throughout your journey. Not only can you visit your dog on these two routes but you can also exercise them under controlled conditions too.
Our onboard kennels are suitable for domestic pets such as cats and dogs. If you are carrying livestock, exotic, dangerous or larger animals you must contact us in advance of booking to determine the suitability of the facilities onboard for the safe carriage of the animal/pet.
The Pet Lounge (to/from Belfast and Cairnryan only)
Onboard our Stena Superfast vessels between Belfast and Cairnryan we have a dedicated Pet Lounge. For safety reasons your pet must remain in its secure pet carrier case for the duration of the crossing whilst in the Pet Lounge. The pet carrier case can be no bigger than 91cm in length, 62 cm high and 56cm wide. The Pet Lounge is not exclusively for dogs, so with different types of pets and breeds of animal permitted in the lounge, all pets must remain secured in their pet carrier case. The lounge is an enclosed area and is an unfamiliar environment for all pets, so for the comfort and safety of pets and owners, it is mandatory for all pet owners to adhere to this rule.
A maximum of 2 pets is permitted per booking. For safety and security reasons, owners must not leave their pets unattended in the Pet Lounge at any time. All passengers who wish to travel with their pet in the Pet Lounge must pre-book the Pet Lounge in advance of travel.
Learn more about our Pet Lounge when travelling between Belfast and Cairnryan.
Please note: Bags are not permitted as carrier cases and you will not be able to bring your pet onboard if you don't have an appropriate pet carrier case with you where access to the case is via a secure door/zip/lock mechanism and your pet is totally enclosed. All pets must be pre-booked as a limited number of carrier cases are allowed onboard each sailing.
Pet Cabins
We also have a number of pre-bookable pet friendly cabins available, where you can bring up to 2 pets into your cabin. These pet-friendly cabins can be pre-booked on the “Cabins” step of the booking process or via our Contact Centre. Pets are not permitted in Superfast Suites on our route between Belfast and Cairnryan due to the limited number of suites per vessel. Our Superfast vessels have a dedicated Pet Lounge as well as the option to leave pets in kennels or in vehicles.
Useful links:
Travelling with pets to Ireland
Travelling with pets from Northern Ireland
UK Government advice on exporting live animals
Advance notification requirements for pets arriving from Britain into Ireland
British residents travelling with pets to Northern Ireland
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and are travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet, you will need to follow new government requirements:
- You’ll need a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document to take your dog, cat or ferret on our routes from Cairnryan to Belfast or Liverpool to Belfast.
- Your pet must be microchipped.
- ·Your pet does not need rabies vaccinations or tapeworm treatment if they have a Pet Travel Document.
- These rules also apply to assistance dogs.
- You do not need any documentation when travelling back from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. You just need to make sure your pet or assistance dog is microchipped.
You can apply for a Northern Ireland Pet Travel document online. It is free of charge and will last as long as you own your pet. Find out more about pet travel to Northern Ireland
What checks will be carried out at the ports for travel with a Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document?
In the ports of Cairnryan and Liverpool, pet checker staff from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will ask to see your pet travel document (PTD). Your pet’s microchip will be scanned and checked against your PTD.
Do I need a Pet Travel Document if I live in Northern Ireland?
If you live in Northern Ireland, you do not need a PTD for travel to and from Britain, but your pet must be microchipped.
Pet owners travelling beyond Northern Ireland with their pet into the Republic of Ireland, another EU country or a non-EU country
If you are travelling onward to a different country from Northern Ireland, please check the requirements for continuing to an EU country or a non-EU country.
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Travelling with your pet from Harwich to Hook of Holland
Travelling by car (max. 5 pets)
At check-in you will receive a coloured tag to indicate that you are transporting a pet. It should be placed on the rear-view mirror of your windscreen and should remain there until you clear customs at the port of arrival.
Travel on foot (max. 3 pets)
If you are travelling as a foot passenger, you must book an onboard kennel for your pet or a pet-friendly cabin; otherwise your pet may not be allowed to travel.
When you board the ferry, we ask you to carefully follow the instructions of our employees. After boarding, report to the information desk on deck 9, where you will receive more information about taking your pet on board Stena Line ferries.
Kennels and pet-friendly cabins on board
There are a limited number of places available in our heated kennels. You book this in advance at the "Stena Plus & Onboard Extras" step of the booking process. We also have a number of pet-friendly cabins available so that your pet can travel with you. Pets are not allowed in the restaurants, bars and shops. There is an area available on board our ferries where you can walk your dog.
Our onboard kennels are available in three sizes:
- Large kennels: 97 cm high x 94 cm wide x 100 cm deep
- Medium kennels: 64 cm high x 108 cm wide x 100 cm deep
- Small kennels: 65 cm high x 50 cm wide x 100 cm deep
We also have a number of pet-friendly cabins available so that your pet can travel with you.
Maximum number of pets per cabin:
- 3 small pets up to 15 kilos, or
- 2 medium pets up to 30 kilos, or
- 1 large pet from 30 kilos
Pets are not allowed in the restaurants, bars and shops. There is an area available onboard our ferries where you can walk your dog.
Please note: Large pets must climb stairs, go over a high door stop and may be lifted into small and medium kennels that are not at floor level.
Only the following pets are allowed: dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, ferret, mouse, chinchilla & gerbil (the maximum numbers also apply to small rodents).
Travel documents
There are a number of requirements that the travel documents for your pet must meet:
- The animal is at least 15 weeks old
- Chip for identification (must be placed before the rabies vaccination, this may also be on the same day)
- Valid rabies vaccination (transport possible at least 21 days after the first vaccination). If the animal has been vaccinated before and this vaccination is still valid, this waiting period is not necessary
- Valid European pet passport issued in a member state of the EU, or; a health certificate issued by the official authority in the United Kingdom or another non-EU country
- Tapeworm treatment. This only applies to dogs. The vet must carry out this treatment at least 1 day (24 hours) and at most 5 days (120 hours) before the time of entry into the United Kingdom and it must be stated in the passport. (Only applicable when travelling from Hoek van Holland to Harwich)
After the crossing
When you disembark at Harwich International Port, your pet may be subject to a DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) inspection. We recommend that you keep all relevant paperwork related to your pet at hand. This is standard procedure on arrival in UK ports.
For more information on the rules for travelling with a pet from the EU to the UK and vice versa, please visit the DEFRA website or the UK government website GOV.UK.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for more information.
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Travelling to Sweden with dogs or cats
When you travel to Sweden from abroad, remember that you must notify Swedish Customs.
If you currently reside in another EU-country, there is an option to use an e-service to notify Swedish Customs before your trip. Information about how you notify Swedish Customs is available at their website: Travelling with dogs or cats.
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Travelling with your pet on Gothenburg – Frederikshavn
We have a limited number of pet places available and all pets must be pre-booked prior to travel. At the port you must advise our check-in team that you are travelling with a pet. Cats must travel in a cage/carrier case.
On all vessels the car deck is closed for the duration of the crossing and access to passengers is not permitted.
Stena Jutlandica
Pets are allowed to stay on the open car deck in the car or in the dog friendly lounge.
Stena Danica
Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle (except in the months of May, June, July and August) or in the dog friendly lounge.
Stena Vinga
Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle (except in the months of May, June, July and August) or in the dog friendly lounge. There is also a small run-out area for your pet.
Please note: In Denmark it is mandatory that you take out liability insurance for your dog. Liability insurance does not cover the costs of a veterinarian. Check if the insurance also apply in the country you are going to - and how long they apply for. Please ask your insurer how best to insure your animal when travelling.
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Travelling with your pet on Grenaa – Halmstad
On board Stena Nautica there is a spacious Pet Lounge for you and your pet where you can sit together during the crossing. There is also a designated area on the deck for owners to take their pet outside. To ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers, pets are only allowed in the Pet Lounge and designated area on the outside deck. Cats must stay in carrier cases in the Pet Lounge.
Due to the limited number of seats in the lounge, pets must always be pre-booked for your trip.
Pets are allowed to stay in your vehicle (except in the months of May, June, July and August). The owner is responsible for ensuring their pet is suitable for travelling onboard and must book the best option to suit their individual pet’s needs.
Stena Line reserves the right to refuse travel for a pet if, for example, the temperature or sea conditions are extreme.
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Travelling with your pet on Rostock – Trelleborg
You must pre-book your pet and also advise our check-in team when you arrive at the port.
A limited number of pre-bookable pet cabins are available on board the Mecklenburg-Verpommen and Skåne. If you are booking without a pet cabin, you must book your pet when completing your booking under the heading “Extras”. If there are no pet places presented under “Extras”, it will not be possible to take your pet with you on the departure you had selected. If this occurs, please choose an alternative departure. Pets are not allowed in the restaurants, bars and shops. It is possible to stay on deck in the designated areas.
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Travelling with your pet on Kiel – Gothenburg
You can travel with your pet on Kiel - Gothenburg however you must pre-book a pet cabin in order to do so. A limited number of pet cabins are available on each sailing. No more than two pets are allowed per cabin. Please note you cannot travel with your pet if there are no pet cabins available. Your pet is not allowed to stay in your vehicle during the crossing. Your pet must be registered at check-in and you will then be taken to the special pet cabin by the shortest route. Apart from the cabin and the exercise area, your pet is not allowed access to the general passenger areas.
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Travelling with your pet on Gdynia - Karlskrona
Pets can only travel on Stena Spirit, Stena Ebba and Stena Estelle in special pet-friendly cabins. There are a limited number available on each ferry and you can bring up to three pets with you when you stay in this type of cabin. If you haven't got a pet-friendly cabin booked, unfortunately your pet won't be able to travel with you.
The pet must be registered at check-in, after which a member of staff will show the shortest route to a special pet cabin. Apart from the exercise area on the outside deck, pets are not allowed in the public areas. Dogs must wear a muzzle outside the cabin and must be kept on a leash. Cats must travel in a cage/carrier case.
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Travelling with your pet on Travemünde – Liepāja
On our Travemünde - Liepāja route you can travel with your pet on the Stena Flavia and Stena Horizon. However you must pre-book a special pet cabin. Pets cannot travel if these pet cabins are fully booked as they are not allowed to stay in the vehicle during the crossing. Pets are not permitted access to the general passenger areas. Dogs must be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle.
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Travelling with your pet on Nynäshamn - Ventspils
The Stena Baltica and Stena Scandica have cabins where pets are allowed. When choosing a cabin for the transportation of pets, there is no charge for the pet, but the reservation should indicate how many pets will travel (max. 5 pets per cabin). During the summer season (from May 1 to September 30) pets are allowed to stay in the car. You can visit your pets at certain times accompanied by a crew member. There is an additional charge per pet staying in the car.
Related Questions
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What identification documents do I need to travel? -
Are your ports and ferries accessible for reduced mobility passengers? -
Where can I find directions to the terminal?
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