Taking Your Pet on Newhaven to Dieppe Ferry: Complete Guide

Bringing your dog or cat to France on the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry? This complete guide covers everything you need: Animal Health Certificate requirements, microchipping, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment, booking procedures, onboard accommodation options (kennels for dogs, pet-friendly cabins, keeping pet in vehicle), French entry rules, costs, timeline, and expert tips for stress-free pet travel.

Dogs and cats are welcome on Newhaven to Dieppe ferries. Requirements: Animal Health Certificate (AHC), microchip implanted before rabies vaccination, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, tapeworm treatment for dogs 1–5 days before departure. Book pet when booking ferry (£20 fee per pet, per way). Onboard options: dog kennels (£20 per dog, bring own bedding), pet-friendly cabin (cabin price + £20 supplement), or pet stays in vehicle (£20 fee). Start paperwork 8–12 weeks before travel.

Last updated: April 2026 | Reflects new EU pet travel rules in force from 22 April 2026

All pets travelling to France must meet specific health and identification requirements. Here’s exactly what you need.

⚠️ CRITICAL: The microchip MUST be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination. If microchip is done after rabies vaccination, the rabies vaccination is not valid and you’ll need a new one. This is the most common mistake pet owners make. Always: microchip first, then rabies vaccination.

⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE — April 2026: New EU rules came into force on 22 April 2026. All GB residents (England, Scotland and Wales) must now use an Animal Health Certificate to travel with pets to the EU. This applies even if you previously held a UK pet passport issued before 2021, or an EU pet passport obtained from a French or other EU vet. The UK government and DEFRA have confirmed: the only valid document for GB residents travelling with pets to France is now the Animal Health Certificate. Check the latest guidance at gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad before you travel.

**WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?**

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you need an Animal Health Certificate for every trip to France with your pet. This is now the only accepted document regardless of what paperwork you may have used before. The AHC costs £100–150 and must be obtained from an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before you depart.

**IS THERE A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE?**

No cost-saving workaround now exists for GB residents. EU pet passports can only be issued to pet owners whose main residence is within the EU — so having one obtained from a French vet is no longer a valid option. The AHC is the required document for every trip.

Pet travel paperwork takes time. Here’s your complete timeline from first steps to ferry boarding.

💡 Pro Tip: The 21-day wait after rabies vaccination is the biggest time constraint. If booking travel, ensure your pet’s rabies vaccination is at least 21 days old on departure date. If not, you’ll need to delay your trip or make emergency vet appointments. Start planning early!

How to add your pet to your ferry booking and what options are available.

**OPTION 1: ONLINE BOOKING (vehicle passengers only)**
1. Book ferry crossing as normal (passengers + vehicle)
2. On passenger details page, select “Add pet” option
3. Enter pet details: type (dog/cat), breed, weight
4. Select onboard accommodation: dog kennels or pet cabin
5. Pay £20 pet fee per way
6. Receive booking confirmation including pet

**OPTION 2: PHONE BOOKING (required for foot passengers with pets)**
• Foot passengers travelling with a pet MUST book by phone
• Call DFDS: +44 33 058 787 87
• Book ferry + pet in one call, or add pet to existing booking
• Pay £20 pet fee per way
• Receive booking confirmation

**PET FEE: £20 per pet, per way**
This fee applies regardless of accommodation choice (kennels/cabin/vehicle).

You have three options for where your pet stays during the crossing:

**WHICH OPTION TO CHOOSE?**

Consider your pet’s temperament:
• **Calm dog, experienced traveler:** Kennels or stay in vehicle
• **Anxious pet or first-time ferry crossing:** Pet cabin (worth the extra cost)
• **Overnight ferry:** Strongly recommend pet cabin
• **Puppy/kitten:** Pet cabin recommended
• **Cat:** Must stay in vehicle (kennels are dogs only)
• **Foot passenger:** Kennel (dogs) or pet cabin — must book by phone

What to expect when checking in at Newhaven Ferry Port with your pet.

**ARRIVING AT PORT:**

1. **Arrive 90 minutes before departure** (extra time for pet checks)
2. **Vehicle passengers with pets:** Check in at vehicle check-in lanes
3. **Foot passengers with dogs:** Check in at the passenger terminal
4. Keep pet on lead at all times (or in carrier)

**AT CHECK-IN DESK:**

Staff will check:
✓ Booking confirmation (with pet declared)
✓ Animal Health Certificate
✓ Microchip scan (they scan to verify chip number matches AHC)
✓ Rabies vaccination record (must be 21+ days old)
✓ Tapeworm treatment record (dogs only, 1–5 days old)

**TIME:** Pet check-in adds 5–10 minutes to standard check-in.

**IF DOCUMENTS INCORRECT:**
Your pet will be refused entry to France. This is strictly enforced. Common issues:
• Rabies vaccination less than 21 days old
• Tapeworm treatment outside 1–5 day window
• Microchip number doesn’t match AHC
• AHC issued more than 10 days before travel

**IF REFUSED:** You must rebook for a later date or travel without pet (pet stays home).

**VEHICLE PASSENGERS:**
• Board in your vehicle as normal
• Pet on lead or in carrier
• Park vehicle where directed
• Staff will direct you to kennels (dogs), pet cabin, or pet stays in your locked vehicle

**FOOT PASSENGERS WITH DOG:**
• After check-in at passenger terminal, you will board via passenger shuttle bus or DFDS vehicle depending on duty arrangements
• Crew will meet you and direct you to kennels or pet cabin
• Then proceed to passenger decks

**PET CABIN BOARDING:**
• Follow staff directions to cabin deck
• Pet must be on lead inside cabin
• You can stay in cabin or use passenger facilities
• Pet must remain in cabin (cannot bring to restaurant/lounges)

What happens during the crossing depending on your pet’s accommodation.

**IF DOG IN KENNELS:**
• Dog is in supervised kennel on vehicle deck
• Crew checks on pets regularly
• Water bowl kept topped up
• To visit your dog during the sailing, head to the Guest Service Centre and crew will assist
• Bring your own bedding — this is not provided

**IF PET IN CABIN:**
• You stay with pet in cabin
• Pet must remain on lead
• You can leave cabin to use restaurant/facilities, but pet must stay in cabin
• Cannot bring pet to passenger areas
• You’re responsible for any mess (pet blanket, bowl and poo bags provided in cabin)
• Maximum 2 pets per cabin

**IF PET IN VEHICLE:**
• Pet remains in locked vehicle
• To check on your pet during the sailing, head to the Guest Service Centre and crew will assist
• Ensure window is left slightly open for ventilation
• Water bowl should be left accessible
• Lock vehicle and disable alarm

💡 Calming Tip: Give your pet a good walk before boarding (toileting opportunity). Tired pets are calmer pets. Many owners find a 30-minute walk before boarding significantly reduces pet anxiety. Newhaven has green spaces near the port for pre-boarding walks.

What happens when you arrive in Dieppe with your pet.

**DISEMBARKATION:**

• Ferry docks at Dieppe (approximately 16:00–17:00 French time for daytime crossing — check your specific sailing time on the DFDS website, as schedules vary by season)
• Vehicle passengers collect pet from kennels/cabin/vehicle
• Walk with pet off ferry
• French border control checks:
– Animal Health Certificate
– Microchip (may scan)
– Rabies vaccination record
• Usually 2–5 minutes per passenger
• If documents correct: cleared immediately

**IF DOCUMENTS INCORRECT:**
Pet may be refused entry to France and must return on next ferry back to UK (at your expense).

**TOILETING OPPORTUNITY:**
• Dogs need toilet break after crossing
• Poo bags required (bring your own)
• Green spaces available in Dieppe town (20-minute walk from port, or take taxi)

**FRENCH PET REGULATIONS:**
• Dogs must be on lead in public areas
• Poo bags mandatory (fine if caught without)
• Dogs allowed in most outdoor cafés/restaurants
• Some beaches allow dogs (check local rules)
• Taxis may refuse dogs (warn taxi driver when booking)

Bringing your pet BACK to the UK has DIFFERENT requirements.

**RE-ENTRY TO UK REQUIREMENTS:**

✓ **Same as outbound:** AHC (your outbound AHC is valid for the return journey if returning within 4 months of issue), microchip, rabies vaccination
✓ **Tapeworm treatment:** Dogs need ANOTHER treatment 1–5 days before UK arrival
✓ **Find French vet** in Dieppe to administer and record tapeworm treatment (cost: €20–40)

**IMPORTANT:** If you’re on a short trip (e.g., a day trip), you need TWO tapeworm treatments:
• One 1–5 days before leaving UK (for France entry)
• Another 1–5 days before returning to UK (for UK re-entry)

**ANIMAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE ON RETURN:**
• Your outbound AHC is valid for your return journey, provided you return within 4 months of it being issued
• If your trip is longer than 4 months, you will need a new AHC issued by an EU vet before you can return

**BOOKING RETURN FERRY:**
• Book return crossing same as outbound
• Add pet to booking (another £20 pet fee per way)
• Same accommodation options available

Pet travel costs add up. Here’s the complete picture for GB residents travelling to France from April 2026:

**COST SCENARIOS:**

**First Trip — Dog (kennels or vehicle):**
Microchip (£20) + Rabies (£70) + AHC (£125) + Tapeworm outbound (£30) + Ferry outbound (£20) + Tapeworm return (£30) + Ferry return (£20) = **~£315**

**Subsequent Trips — Dog (kennels or vehicle):**
AHC (£125) + Tapeworm outbound (£30) + Ferry outbound (£20) + Tapeworm return (£30) + Ferry return (£20) = **~£225 per round trip**

**First Trip — Cat (vehicle or pet cabin):**
Microchip (£20) + Rabies (£70) + AHC (£125) + Ferry outbound (£20) + Ferry return (£20) = **~£255** (no tapeworm needed)

**Subsequent Trips — Cat (vehicle or pet cabin):**
AHC (£125) + Ferry outbound (£20) + Ferry return (£20) = **~£165 per round trip**

📋 April 2026 Change Note: From 22 April 2026, there is no longer a cheaper passport-based alternative for GB residents. All GB pet owners now require an Animal Health Certificate (£100–150) for every trip to France. If you previously used a pre-2021 UK passport or an EU passport obtained from a French vet, those documents are no longer valid. Plan your budget accordingly.