Taking a dog or pet on the Puttgarden–Rødby ferry

In brief

Scandlines carries small pets free of charge on every Vogelfluglinie ferry: dogs, cats and small animals in carriers. Add the animal to your booking, keep the EU pet passport ready and decide before departure whether your dog will stay in the car or come upstairs with you. The crossing takes only 45 minutes, making it straightforward for most animals.

Where your pet may stay on board

• In the vehicle: your dog may remain in the car during the crossing. The vehicle deck is closed for safety reasons while the ferry is under way, so visits are not possible. For a calm dog, the car is often the least stressful option on this short crossing; provide shade and leave water available.
• On the passenger deck: pets are allowed in all areas without carpeting, either on a lead or in a closed carrier. For hygiene reasons, they must remain at least two metres from food-serving counters. You are responsible for your pet throughout the crossing.
• Water and exercise: you can borrow a water bowl from the Scandlines Food Express. There is no dog toilet on board, so give your dog a final opportunity before boarding and bring waste bags.

Assistance dogs travel free and are exempt from the restrictions on permitted areas. Register them with Scandlines by telephone in advance and allow extra time for check-in.

Documents for entering Denmark

Dogs and cats need an EU pet passport showing a unique microchip number and valid rabies vaccination; the microchip must have been fitted before the vaccination. The first vaccination is permitted from 12 weeks of age, and entry is allowed only 21 days later. Puppies must therefore be at least 15 weeks old to enter Denmark. Holiday travel is limited to a maximum of five animals per person.

There are no routine border checks at the ferry, but spot checks are possible. Entry may be refused if your animal does not have valid documents.

Dog breeds prohibited in Denmark

Danish dog law prohibits the entry of 13 breeds and their crossbreeds:

Pit Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog, Caucasian Shepherd Dog, South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak and Šarplaninac.

There are two exceptions. Dogs demonstrably acquired before 17 March 2010 have grandfather rights, except for Pit Bull Terriers and Tosa Inus, which have been prohibited since 1991, and must be kept on a short lead and muzzled in public. When transiting Denmark, dogs of prohibited breeds may remain inside a closed carrier in the vehicle.

If your dog resembles a prohibited breed, carry evidence of its breed, such as a pedigree certificate or veterinary confirmation, as the Danish police may ask for documentation.

Booking and check-in

Add your pet to the booking; no fee is charged. At the port, check-in works as usual through the blue or yellow lane. If you are travelling with an assistance dog, use the staffed yellow lane and allow more time. Both terminals have green areas nearby for a final walk before departure.

The same onboard rules apply on the return journey from Rødby to Puttgarden. An EU pet passport showing a valid rabies vaccination is also sufficient for entry into Germany.

After arrival: lead requirements in Denmark

Dogs must be kept on a lead on Danish beaches from 1 April to 30 September, and throughout the year in forests and parks unless a designated dog area is provided. Keep this in mind when planning your first stop after Rødby.

Sources and date

The onboard rules come from the Scandlines page on pets on board. The entry and breed rules are based on the EU pet-travel requirements and Danish dog law, implemented by the food and veterinary authority Fødevarestyrelsen. Information checked: 9 August 2026. These rules can change, so the latest information from the operator and the Danish authorities is always definitive.