Taking your dog on the ferry to Corsica

The onboard rule depends on the ferry operator and sometimes the vessel. With Corsica Ferries your dog stays with you, with Moby it travels on the outer decks or in a cabin with animal access, with Corsica Linea in a kennel and with La Méridionale in a kennel or your own car. The papers depend on where you start: from Great Britain an animal health certificate, from an EU country an EU pet passport.

Pet rules by ferry operator

In the car, on deck or in a kennel

The day ferries from Italy take between 2 hours 15 minutes and 7 hours. On Corsica Ferries from Savona or Livorno your dog spends that time with you. On Moby from Genoa or Livorno it stays on the outer decks or in a cabin with animal access.

The night ferry from Toulon to Ajaccio takes about 11 hours, and Corsica Ferries keeps the same rule, so a pet-friendly cabin lets your dog sleep next to you. From Marseille, Corsica Linea puts your dog in the kennel for the night, and La Méridionale uses the kennel or your car, depending on the ship. On La Méridionale the car decks close once the ship sails, so a pet left in the car is alone for the whole crossing.

Walk your dog and give it water just before boarding.

Travelling from Great Britain

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, your dog, cat or ferret needs an animal health certificate (AHC) for every trip to the EU. A pet passport is not accepted, even one issued in an EU country, and arriving with one instead of an AHC can mean being refused entry. The GOV.UK guide to taking your pet abroad sets out the steps:

1. Microchip: fitted before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination. Otherwise your pet needs a new vaccination.
2. Rabies vaccination: from 12 weeks of age. Your pet can travel 21 days after the first valid rabies vaccination, or after the last dose of the first course.
3. Animal health certificate: issued by a vet who is authorised to sign it, with proof of the microchip date and vaccination history. It is valid for 10 days to enter the EU, then for 6 months for onward travel within the EU and for your return to Great Britain, as long as the rabies vaccination stays valid.
4. Point of entry: on arrival in the EU you go through a designated travellers' point of entry, where the certificate can be checked.

The 10 days run until you enter the EU, so if you drive via Calais, get the certificate shortly before you cross the Channel. France does not require tapeworm treatment. You can travel with up to 5 pets. If someone else takes your pet, their journey must be within 5 days of yours, with your written permission in a signed declaration. Residents of Northern Ireland can use an EU pet passport.

Travelling from an EU country

Living in the EU, your dog, cat or ferret travels with an EU pet passport under the EU pet travel rules. It records the microchip and the rabies vaccination. The microchip must come first, and the 21-day wait after a first vaccination applies too. Arriving from another country outside the EU, your pet needs an EU animal health certificate instead of the passport.

Booking a crossing with your pet

Add the animal as soon as you book. Moby sells a separate pet ticket, Corsica Linea needs a kennel place, La Méridionale only boards pets named on the booking and Cors'express needs the pet declared. Cabins with animal access are limited, so book the cabin together with the crossing. Fares for the dog ticket and cabins are listed under ferry prices.

Your booking confirmation shows where your pet travels: cabin, deck area, kennel or vehicle. If it does not, ask the ferry operator before you travel.

Pack these in your hand luggage

The AHC or pet passport, lead, muzzle, a carrier for cats and small pets, water, bowl, food, waste bags and any medication. Moby asks for a collar or harness with your mobile number on it. Clean up after your dog, even in the pet areas. Before a trip to the Mediterranean, ask your vet about heat, ticks and insect protection.

Taking a motorhome or caravan? Vehicle sizes, gas and boarding rules are in the motorhome guide. Departures for every route are in the ferry timetable.