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Scandinavia on Four Paws: Travel Tips for Dog Owners

Up north – many people are drawn to the Scandinavian countries on vacation. Scandinavia is a popular holiday destination, especially for dog owners. But what do holidaymakers with dogs in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland need to know? We give tips.

Dogs always want to be where their owner is – this also applies to holidays. We have tips for you if you are planning a trip up north with your dog!

Scandinavia is a popular travel destination with dogs. The countries in the north have one thing in common: extensive beaches, breathtaking nature, plenty of space to romp and walk, and an equally extensive range of dog-friendly holiday accommodation. In addition, you usually have many dog beaches. But they also differ in a few points, especially with regard to travel and entry requirements.

Holiday with your dog in Denmark

Denmark is well suited for holidays with dogs. A clear advantage of this country is the easy arrival by car: holidaymakers only have to cross the German-Danish border at Flensburg.

These are the entry requirements for dogs in Denmark:

  • valid European pet passport
  • Microchip (or clearly recognizable tattoo done before 07/04/2011)
  • valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry)
  • Unvaccinated puppies under 3 months old are not allowed to enter Denmark.
  • Entry is prohibited for listed dogs and mixed breeds from these breeds.

Also good to know: In Denmark, dogs must be kept on a leash on beaches (from April 1st to September 30th) and in forests (all year round). But there are also special “dog forests” in which socially acceptable, recallable dogs can run free. If you do not see any signs that allow the dog to run free, you must leash your dog.

In Denmark, there is a law that states that serious incidents involving dogs can be sanctioned by the police. In the past, it was also possible to put the dog to sleep in this context! But in 2014, this rule was relaxed. Without a professional opinion, it is no longer possible for the police to order the euthanasia of a dog. Other sanctions are e.g. compulsory leash or muzzle.

Holiday with your dog in Sweden

Together with Denmark, Sweden is one of the most suitable Scandinavian countries for holidays with dogs. Getting to Sweden is still relatively easy. Anyone who wishes can travel to Sweden entirely by car, via Denmark. From Munich, it takes a good 13 hours. An alternative: by car to the Baltic Sea and then a car ferry to Sweden. For example, you can drive from Rostock or Travemünde to Trelleborg or from Kiel to Gothenburg.

These are the entry requirements for dogs in Sweden:

  • valid European pet passport
  • Microchip (or clearly recognizable tattoo done before 07/04/2011)
  • Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry)
  • Registration with customs (possible online)

Since the dog must be fully vaccinated against rabies, but the vaccination can only be carried out from the age of 12 weeks, the dog can only travel to Sweden at the age of 15 weeks.
Up until the end of 2011, there were even more requirements for entering Sweden with a dog: For example, it was also necessary to show proof of a rabies antibody test and treatment against tapeworms. Even if deworming is no longer mandatory, the Foreign Office recommends it before you travel. It also recommends vaccination against canine distemper and leptospirosis.

In Sweden, there is always a leash obligation. In the period from March 1st to August 20th, this also applies in the wild, as this is the breeding and settling time and the wild animals must not be disturbed. However, it is generally advisable to only let the dog off the leash if it really listens to you and can be called back. In Sweden – as well as in the other Scandinavian countries – you can easily run into a wild animal. In these situations, it is important that the dog does not chase after the animal.

Holiday with your dog in Norway

Norway is a popular travel destination and is also considered dog-friendly. However, there are also some disadvantages, which is why Norway is not as suitable as a travel destination with dogs as Denmark or Sweden. The main disadvantages are the longer journey and the stricter entry requirements.

Traveling to Norway by car is cumbersome and takes a long time. The journey from Munich to Oslo takes more than 18 hours. If you decide to go this route, you should make sure you give your dog enough breaks.

An alternative is to arrive by ferry. From Denmark, ferries to Norway go, for example, from Copenhagen or Frederikshavn to Oslo or from Hirtshals to Bergen, Kristiansand or Stavanger. This also takes some time, but it is perhaps more relaxed than by car.

Since Norway is not in the EU, different entry requirements for dogs apply than in other Scandinavian countries:

  • valid European pet passport
  • Microchip (or clearly recognizable tattoo done before 07/04/2011)
  • valid rabies vaccination (initial vaccination at least 21 days before entry, must not have taken
  • place before the microchip was attached)
  • The dog must be accompanied by a responsible person who must confirm in writing that the dog’s entry is not for sale or change of ownership.
  • Treatment against tapeworms (must be done no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before entry)
  • Veterinary Certificate
  • Registration at customs
  • Dog must be at least seven months old
  • Pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Tosa, Czechoslovakian wolfhound, Dogo
  • Argentino, Fila Brasileiro breeds, as well as crossbreeds of these breeds and crossbreeds of dogs and wolves are prohibited from entering the country.

Leashes are compulsory in Norway. Separately designated dog beaches and exercise areas can sometimes also be used without a leash, although dog owners should always reinsure themselves in advance.

Holiday with your dog in Finland

Finland is beautiful and it is also possible to visit this country from Germany with a dog. However, getting here is by far the most difficult.

If you only want to travel by car, you have to take the route via Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia. From Munich, this takes almost 30 hours of pure travel time. The length of time and the many border crossings make the journey time-consuming and expensive.

The combination of car and ferry is more pleasant here. There are connections between Stockholm and Helsinki or Turku. Ferries to Helsinki also depart from Travemünde in Germany. However, these trips also last at least 30 hours.

These are the entry requirements for dogs in Finland:

  • valid European pet passport
  • Microchip (or clearly recognizable tattoo done before 07/04/2011)
  • valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry)
  • Treatment against tapeworms (must be done no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before entry)

Leashes are compulsory in Finland. Separately designated dog beaches and exercise areas can sometimes also be used without a leash, although dog owners should always reinsure themselves in advance.

General information for traveling with your dog to Scandinavia

You should always consider these aspects if you want to travel to a Scandinavian country with your dog:

  • Always observe the general entry regulations of the respective countries.
  • Find out about all the rules well in advance of your trip so that you don’t realize when you arrive that you have forgotten something and cannot start the trip.
  • Before booking an accommodation, find out if dogs are allowed there. Especially in hotels, dogs are often not so welcome, not even in Scandinavia. The better alternatives: holiday homes, campsites or smaller guesthouses
  • Camping with the dog is quite easy in Scandinavia. Often dogs are even free. It is often not even necessary to register the dog in advance, but we recommend that you play it safe and do some brief research. As a rule, there is a leash obligation on campsites.
  • If you arrive by ferry: Find out in advance what the rules are for dogs: where are they allowed to stay? Do you have to stay in the car while driving? This varies from provider to provider.
  • For long ferry crossings, many ferries offer extra dog cabins. Inquire here early, because these are often booked up quickly.
  • Air travel with dogs is not recommended, they simply mean too much stress for animals.
  • Always choose to travel by car, ferry or train if there are suitable connections. Take enough walk breaks so that the dog can do its business.
  • Dogs are usually not allowed in restaurants, bars or shopping malls. However, you may be allowed to sit outside in the outdoor areas of restaurants with your dog.

Iceland – an option for a holiday with a dog?

Iceland, with its magical nature and deserved reputation as a dream destination, is part of Scandinavia only in the broadest sense. However, dog owners who want to travel the island will be disappointed. Because the entry requirements for dogs in Iceland are very strict. The list of rules is long. Here is an excerpt: Dog owners must…

  • five different vaccinations,
  • a blood test for brucellosis,
  • a stool test for salmonella,
  • a positive rabies antibody test and
  • show that your dog has been dewormed.

But it is not only the preparation for a holiday in Iceland with a dog that is exhausting, there is probably the strictest rule waiting on site: the Icelandic government also stipulates a quarantine for dogs in its entry regulations. However, this does not only last a few days, but can extend over a period of up to four months. For the dog itself, a holiday in Iceland means a long time in a strange environment and loneliness.

Due to the entry criteria and because Iceland can only be reached by plane, a trip to this country is very difficult for dogs. Dog lovers who want to discover Iceland should therefore refrain from taking their four-legged friends with them. Putting up with the long quarantine is only worthwhile if you plan to stay there for several months or even a whole year. Pensions or dear family members who take in the dog during the trip are the better alternatives for all short trips.

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