Dog & Pets

What Norway requires

Norway isn't in the EU, but follows the EU's pet travel rules and adds one requirement that catches many travellers out. For dogs, cats and ferrets from Germany or Denmark:

• Microchip to ISO standard, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Rabies vaccination, given no earlier than 12 weeks of age and at least 21 days before entry; puppies under 12 weeks may not enter.
• EU pet passport with the chip number, vaccination and treatments recorded.
• Tapeworm treatment for dogs: a product containing praziquantel, given by a vet 24 to 120 hours before arrival and recorded in the pet passport. This requirement applies only to dogs, not cats.
• A maximum of five animals per person, beyond which trade regulations apply.

On arrival in Kristiansand, you go through the red customs channel with the animal and present the pet passport; the responsible authority is the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). If you miss the tapeworm treatment window, the dog can't enter, and the ferry will only take it back if there's space. So make a firm vet appointment, ideally the day before you sail. No treatment is needed for the return journey to Denmark or Germany.

On board with Color Line

On the SuperSpeed 1, the dog stays either in your own vehicle on the car deck or in a pre-booked dog box in the dog room. The boxes measure 100 by 70 centimetres, 80 to 100 centimetres high; for large breeds, the vehicle is the better option. Both options cost a fixed supplement per single journey and are added when you book. The car deck is closed during the crossing; visits to the dog room are possible by arrangement with the crew. Only assistance dogs may enter the passenger areas. The crossing takes 3 hours 15 minutes, and the same rule applies in winter on the SuperSpeed 2.

On board with Fjord Line

Fjord Line doesn't allow dogs in the public indoor areas, but all three ships have outdoor space for them. MS Stavangerfjord and MS Bergensfjord have exercise areas on the rear deck of deck 10; the catamaran Fjord FSTR has an outdoor area at the stern. If you can't or don't want to keep your dog with you for the whole crossing, book a dog box in advance; they come in three sizes and are unsupervised. Alternatively, the dog can stay in your vehicle, and you visit it at set times accompanied by crew on the car deck. Fjord Line only offers pet cabins on its routes to Bergen and Stavanger, not to Kristiansand.

For cats and small animals in carriers, both ferry companies apply the same rules as for dogs: in the vehicle or in a box, not in the indoor areas.

Which ferry company with a dog

For two and a half hours on the catamaran or just over three hours on the SuperSpeed 1, most dogs are fine in the vehicle, as long as it isn't standing in the sun in summer; the car decks are covered. For just under four hours on Fjord Line's cruise ferries, the rear deck is the advantage: you can be out in the fresh air with your dog. Without a vehicle, you'll need the dog box with either ferry company. See the Ferry Companies Compared page for the ship comparison.

Customs and food

You may bring food for the journey; Norway limits the import of meat and dairy products, which also applies to wet food in larger quantities. The dog itself is declared at the red channel, with the vehicle behind it processed normally. For everything else at the terminal, see the Check-in page; for motorhome-specific points, see Motorhome & Caravan.