Frequently asked questions
Almost all European ferry companies allow pets (dogs, cats, small animals in carriers). The specific rules vary by company, but in general:
Each animal requires a dedicated ticket (between €5 and €30 per leg)
The animal must be declared when booking (you cannot add it at the port without notice)
Up-to-date health documents are required
Access to indoor public areas (restaurants, bars, lounges) is generally forbidden
🐾 For more details, see the NetFerry guide: Practical tips for ferry travel with your four-legged friends.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
For Italian domestic routes:
Health record book with up-to-date vaccinations
Identification microchip
For EU international routes (Greece, Croatia, Spain, France):
European pet passport (issued by an authorised vet)
Microchip
Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel)
For non-EU routes (Albania, Tunisia, Morocco):
All EU documents, plus
A veterinary certificate specific to the destination country
Any certified anti-parasite treatments
💡 Contact your vet at least 30 days before travelling to make sure everything is in order. NetFerry is not responsible if boarding is refused due to insufficient documentation.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
The accommodation available varies by company and ship:
Pet-friendly cabins:
Dedicated cabins where you can keep your pet with you
Limited availability, to be requested when booking
Variable cost (usually €20–50 more than a standard cabin)
On-board kennels / boxes:
Equipped areas with cages of various sizes
Owner access to the kennel area is regulated
Outdoor areas / dedicated decks:
Some ships have dedicated pet areas on the outer decks
The animal must stay on a lead at all times
⛔ Leaving your pet shut in the car during the crossing is not allowed.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
The standard on-board rules require:
A lead at all times in the common areas
A muzzle in crowded areas or when requested by the ship's crew
For large dogs and breeds classed as "potentially dangerous", a muzzle is generally always required
📋 Always bring with you: lead, muzzle, waste bags, a water bowl, and any medication.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
The limits depend on the company:
Pet-friendly cabins: usually a maximum of 1–2 animals per cabin
On-board kennels: usually up to 2–3 animals per booking
For larger groups: contact the call centre on +39 0831 564 257
Transporting animals for commercial purposes (breeding, stud animals) requires specific procedures: write to cargo@netferry.com.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
Generally allowed:
Ferrets (with a European pet passport)
Rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs (in a carrier)
Pet birds (in a cage)
Subject to checks:
Reptiles, amphibians, fish
Rare or protected animals (they require CITES permits)
Contact our call centre before booking to check feasibility and the documents required.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
Guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs for people with disabilities have special treatment guaranteed by law (Italian Law 37/1974 and EU Regulation 1177/2010):
Free travel:
No animal ticket to pay
No cabin supplement (even where the company normally charges one for Pet in Cabin)
Free access to the ship's common areas (seat lounges, restaurants, salons)
Allowed in the cabin with the owner
What you need:
Training certificate issued by a recognised centre
Health record book with up-to-date vaccinations
Identification microchip
For international routes: European pet passport
Lead and identifying harness
How to book:
Report the presence of the guide/assistance dog when booking, in the notes field
Contact our call centre on +39 0831 564 257: we will inform the company of your needs
The company may require 48 hours' notice to organise assistance on board
On board:
No muzzle is required (unless the company's rules state otherwise)
The ship's crew is required to help you with boarding/disembarking
If you have special requests (for example, several assistance dogs or complex needs), write to info@netferry.com at least one week in advance.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
The European pet passport is a document standardised across the EU (EU Regulation 576/2013) which identifies the animal and certifies its health status.
Who needs it:
Anyone travelling with dogs, cats or ferrets between EU countries
Anyone entering the EU from non-EU countries with pets
Not compulsory for purely domestic journeys (within Italy), but recommended
What it contains:
Description of the animal and microchip number
Owner's details
Vaccinations given (in particular rabies)
Anti-parasite treatments
Health certificates
How to get one:
Go to your authorised vet (private or public health service)
Make sure the animal has
An identification microchip
A valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel, for the first dose)
A minimum age of 12 weeks at the time of the first vaccination
Cost: around €20–40 (issue) + the cost of vaccinations
The passport is valid for the animal's whole life, subject to vaccine updates
For non-EU routes (Tunisia, Morocco, Albania):
An additional country-specific health certificate may be needed
Some countries require certified anti-parasite treatments in the 5–10 days before travel
Always check with the destination country's embassy
💡 Prepare the pet passport at least 30–60 days before the journey, especially if it is the animal's first rabies vaccination.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
Some destinations and companies apply restrictions on specific dog breeds, usually those classed as "potentially dangerous" or covered by local regulations.
Tunisia — Import ban
Based on official communications from the Tunisian Ministry of Transport (OMMP), dogs of the following breeds are banned from entering Tunisia by sea:
Pit Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull
Rottweiler
Tosa Inu
Mastiff (Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro)
Boer Bull (Boerboel)
Crosses of these breeds
Additional rules of some companies:
Muzzle always compulsory for large breeds in common areas
Some breeds banned from pet-friendly cabins
Additional deposit for large breeds
What to do:
Always check the specific rules of the company you will travel with
If you are unsure about your dog's breed (especially crosses), ask your vet for a written statement
For Tunisia: if your dog is one of the banned breeds, boarding will be refused without a refund
Italian regulations:
Italy no longer has a "dangerous breeds list" (it was repealed after the 2009 Martini ordinance)
The owner nonetheless remains responsible for the dog's behaviour
Muzzle and short lead (max 1.5 m) are always compulsory in public places
💡 If in doubt about whether your dog is allowed, call +39 0831 564 257 before booking.
FAQ Category: Pets on board
Pet in Cabin (or "pet-friendly cabin") is a service offered by several companies that lets you travel with your pet directly in your cabin, instead of in the on-board kennels or outdoor areas.
How it works:
Some cabins are set aside for the pet-friendly service
The additional cost ranges from €10 to €30 per cabin per leg
It includes:
Special sanitisation of the cabin before and after the voyage
Dedicated bedding kit
On some companies: a welcome bag for the animal with snacks and toys
Common rules:
Usually up to 3 animals per cabin
Health documents (record book, pet passport, rabies vaccination) in order
Lead and muzzle in common areas
The animal cannot access the seat lounge, restaurant or salons
Walks allowed only on the outer decks
Companies with Pet in Cabin (indicative):
Grimaldi Lines / Minoan Lines
Moby Lines / Tirrenia
Corsica Sardinia Ferries
GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci)
SNAV
Brittany Ferries
Balearia
Many Greek and Turkish companies
How to book it:
On our booking system, where available, it appears among the selectable accommodation types
If it does not appear online and you know the company offers it, call +39 0831 564 257
Some companies require a manual request
ℹ️ For guide or assistance dogs: the service is always free and the cabin carries no supplement (see the dedicated FAQ).
FAQ Category: Pets on board