Last updated: August 2025
Going on vacation is always a party! But leaving your loyal four-legged friend behind is a lot less fun.. More and more people choose to travel with their dog. And Norway is perfect for it! It is very important, though, that you’re well prepared before you go, to avoid any trouble. I’ll tell you everything you need to know to take your dog to Norway on a carefree vacation.
In short, these are the requirements for bringing your dog to Norway:
– A valid EU pet passport;
– Registered microchip;
– Meeting the health rules (including deworming by a vet and the rabies vaccination);
– Registering your dog with customs.
Read on for more information on how to make your trip to Norway with your dog as enjoyable as possible.
General rules for dogs in Norway
A few general rules to keep in mind:
- Your dog isn’t allowed in the front seat of the car. Not even with a (special dog) seat belt;
- Animals younger than three months aren’t allowed into Norway;
- You can bring a maximum of 5 animals into the country;
- Your pet has to be declared at the border.
Health rules for dogs in Norway
When it comes to your dog’s health, the rules in Norway are very strict. A vet in Norway told me in 2017 that they have a good reason for this. Norway is one of the few countries where you can safely pick berries in the wild and eat them without cooking them, because the fox tapeworm doesn’t occur among wild animals in the country. That’s why they have strict requirements for deworming pets that come to Norway on vacation. Norwegians simply think their fruit is far too delicious to have to cook it to mush. And they’re absolutely right, if you ask me.
The Norwegian health rules for pets at a glance:
- Your dog must have an EU pet passport;
- Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before your vacation;
- Your dog must be microchipped before the vaccination;
- Dogs must be dewormed with praziquantel by a vet at least 24 hours and at most 120 hours before arriving in Norway. Proof of this must be in your dog’s passport;
- If your dog stays longer than 28 days in Norway, the deworming must be repeated by a Norwegian vet.
Banned dog breeds in Norway
A number of dog breeds are banned in Norway. Does your dog look like one of these breeds? Then keep in mind that you may be asked for pedigree papers to prove it isn’t a banned breed. The following dog breeds are banned in Norway:
- Fila Brasileiro;
- Tosa Inu;
- Dogo Argentino;
- American Pit Bull Terrier;
- American Staffordshire Terrier;
- Czechoslovakian Wolfdog;
- All crossbreeds with wolves.
By boat or by plane?
Taking your dog on the ferry
The rules for taking your dog on a ferry differ per company, but in general the most important rules are the same:
- Your dog must meet the (above-mentioned) health rules of the destination country, be microchipped and have a valid EU pet passport.
- No ferry allows you to take your dog inside (kennels excepted), but some companies do let you sit out on the outer deck together. For overnight ferries there are cabins where dogs are allowed. These often require phone-only booking;
- On arrival at the port, you’re required to declare your dog at customs.
Taking your dog on the plane
The rules differ per airline, but most airlines allow dogs under 8 kilos to travel in the cabin. The dog has to be in a travel bag under your seat and counts as hand luggage. Dogs up to 75 kilos are often transported in the hold, in a travel kennel and a temperature-controlled environment. Dogs heavier than 75 kilos have to be transported as cargo. In that case there’s no guarantee your dog will be on the same plane as you. Always check the rules and costs of your airline in advance.
A few guidelines for flying to Norway with your dog:
- Always make sure your dog is fit to fly. If you’re in doubt, ask your vet for advice;
- Your dog must be microchipped, meet the health rules of the destination country and have an EU pet passport;
- Give your dog a light meal and water before the flight, and take one more walk as close to departure as possible;
- Preferably don’t use sedatives, as they make it even harder for your dog to get used to the unfamiliar surroundings.
Travel carrier dimensions
Every airline has different rules, so make sure you do your homework. These are the guidelines for the size of the travel carrier if you want to fly with your dog in the cabin:
- SAS: 40 x 25 x 23 cm
- Norwegian Air: 43 x 31 x 20 cm
- KLM: 46 x 28 x 24 cm
The travel carrier and your dog together can weigh a maximum of 8 kilos.
Other transportation
- Small dogs can travel on the train for free. Dogs taller than 40cm travel for half the price of a passenger train ticket. They must be on a leash at all times.
- In most regions dogs are welcome on the bus;
- Every taxi driver decides for themselves whether dogs are welcome in the taxi;
- There are no specific rules for transporting a dog in the car in Norway, but you can go by the rule in the Netherlands, where I live: the Dutch Road Traffic Act states that pets may not be transported in a way that could lead to dangerous situations.
Staying overnight with your dog in Norway
Lots of campgrounds, hotels and B&B’s in Norway are dog-friendly. In some places, though, you pay a surcharge for bringing your four-legged friend. On the Dogs Included website you’ll find an overview of vacation homes where you’re welcome with your dog!
Hiking with your dog in Norway
If you go on vacation to Norway with your dog, there’s one thing you’ll obviously be doing a lot: hiking! There are only a few places where you can’t hike with your dog, but in some places a leash is mandatory. In Norway’s national parks your dog has to be under voice control or on a leash. Be careful in areas where (wild) animals live and make sure you don’t disturb them.
Finally
A few more handy things to remember when you travel to Norway with your dog:
- It isn’t mandatory, but consider a tick treatment for your dog. Also check your dog every day after hiking (especially behind the ears, in the armpits and on the neck);
- Also look into the rules of the countries you travel through on your way to Norway;
- Except on private property, your dog can swim freely almost everywhere;
- In spring (when all the animals have their young), dogs have to stay on a leash out in nature. This is mainly for the safety of your own animal. Also keep the hunting seasons in mind;
- Watch out for so-called wildlife grids in the road surface. They give a light electric shock, and your dog can get quite a fright from them.
Personal travel advice
Would you like help putting together your dream trip to and through Norway? Or would you rather leave the planning of your trip entirely to someone else? Feel free to get in touch with me, and soon you – and your dog – will be Lost in Norvana too!
