Taking Pets on the Portsmouth to St Malo Ferry: The Complete 2026 Guide

🛏️ Option 1: Pet-Friendly Cabin

Best for: Families, couples, or anyone who wants their pet with them for the overnight crossing. Your pet stays in the cabin with you — no separation, no kennels.

The MV Saint-Malo has 28 pet-friendly cabins on deck 7, available as inside and outside options, including pet-friendly Commodore and Club class cabins. The dedicated pet exercise area is on the same deck. Cats and dogs are both welcome.

All pet-friendly cabins include: ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, bunk-style beds, laminate flooring (not carpet — practical for pets), fresh linen and towels, soap and shower gel, and at least one continental plug socket.

Capacity by cabin type:

• 2-berth cabin: 1 large dog (over 10kg) or 2 small dogs/cats (under 10kg)
• 4-berth cabin: up to 2 large dogs or 3 small dogs/cats
• Note: cabin space may be tight with 2 or 3 pets

Bedding for your pet is not supplied — bring your own. Outside cabins have a window.

🐾 Option 2: Onboard Kennel

Best for: Dogs only — cats are not permitted in kennels on any Brittany Ferries ship. Available only on the MV Saint-Malo, not the Armorique. Kennel use is included in the £35 pet fee with no extra charge.

The MV Saint-Malo has 10 small kennels and 2 large kennels on deck 7, accessible at all times except during cleaning (30 minutes, twice per day). A water tap is provided nearby, along with a dog waste bin and bags. The pet exercise area is just outside the kennel area on the same deck.

MV Saint-Malo kennel dimensions:

Small kennel suitable for: Jack Russell Terriers, King Charles Spaniels, Toy Poodles and similarly sized breeds. Large kennel suitable for: German Shepherds, Labradors, Dalmatians, Boxers, Pointers and Setters.

⚠️ Book the correct size — if the kennel reserved is unsuitable for your dog, carriage cannot be guaranteed. Bedding, water bowls, food and toys are not supplied.

🚗 Option 3: Pet Stays in Your Vehicle

Best for: Pets who are comfortable in the car, or motorhome travellers with a large, comfortable space. Suitable for dogs and cats. Covered by the £35 pet fee with no extra charge.

The car decks are locked once the ship has sailed. On overnight sailings there are no visits to the garage deck — you will not be able to check on your pet during the crossing. On daytime sailings (the St Malo to Portsmouth return), a limited visit may be arranged via the information desk: one person per vehicle, maximum 15 minutes, requiring you to present your passport or driving licence at the information desk (ID is held securely during the visit). All visits are subject to weather and captain’s discretion.

• Open windows for ventilation — ensure your pet cannot escape
• Window grilles are recommended to allow airflow while preventing escape
• Leave sufficient food, water and absorbent bedding
• Your pet must be able to sit, stand, turn around and lie down naturally
• Multiple pets create additional heat — factor this in, especially in summer
• Garage decks regulate temperature once at sea but may be warm initially

📄 Animal Health Certificate (AHC) — Required for all GB Residents

The AHC is the mandatory document for all GB residents (England, Scotland, Wales) travelling to France with a pet from 22 April 2026. Your vet issues a UK AHC which must be completed within 10 days before you travel into the EU. A new AHC is required every time you travel from GB to the EU — it cannot be reused for future trips.

From 22 April 2026, the AHC validity for onward travel within the EU and return to GB has been extended from 4 months to 6 months from the date you entered the EU. If you travel outside the EU during your trip (for example to Switzerland or another non-EU country), you will need a new AHC to re-enter the EU.

The AHC must be in dual language, completed in block capitals with an official vet stamp. Your pet’s microchip number and date, rabies vaccination details, and the official vet’s stamp and signature must all be correctly completed. Any alterations must be legible, signed and stamped by the vet.

You must travel into the EU within 10 days of the date the AHC was issued. Book your vet appointment early — AHC demand has increased significantly following the April 2026 rule change.

📘 EU Pet Passport — Northern Ireland Residents Only

From 22 April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents (England, Scotland, Wales) travelling to the EU — regardless of when the passport was issued or which country issued it. This is a firm rule change, not an enforcement grey area.

Northern Ireland residents are the exception: NI vets may still issue EU pet passports to residents of Northern Ireland, and these passports remain valid for EU travel. If you are a NI resident, your existing valid EU pet passport continues to work, provided all vaccinations and boosters are current.

Returning to Great Britain: EU pet passports can still be used to re-enter the UK — so if you already have one, it remains valid for the return leg even if it can no longer be used to enter France. All other UK entry requirements still apply.

💉 Microchip & Vaccination Requirements

Your pet must be microchipped, and the microchip date must appear on documentation as being on or before the rabies vaccination date. Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies — they must be a minimum of 12 weeks old before vaccination.

For first-time travel, a 21-day waiting period applies after the initial rabies vaccination before travel is permitted. No waiting period is needed for boosters if vaccinations are kept current. If given in two parts, the 21-day wait runs from the second vaccination date. Keeping vaccinations continuously up to date is essential — any lapse resets the process.

🐕 Muzzle Rules

Your dog must be muzzled and on a lead at all times when outside their vehicle, kennel or pet-friendly cabin. This applies during:

• Check-in at Portsmouth International Port
• All transfers between car deck, cabin or kennel
• Walking to and from the pet exercise area
• While in the pet exercise area itself

Fines are actively enforced. Failure to muzzle your dog incurs a fine of €200 for a first offence and €400 for any repeat offence on a subsequent crossing. Repeated violations may result in being refused travel entirely. You must provide the muzzle — it is not supplied. Familiarise your dog with it before travelling. Assistance dogs are exempt. Owners are responsible for their pet’s behaviour at all times.

🚫 Where Pets Cannot Go

Pets are confined to their designated accommodation area only. They are not permitted in:

• Any public area — restaurants, bars, lounges, open decks
• Standard (non-pet-friendly) cabins
• If in a kennel: cabins and public areas are off limits
• If in your vehicle: the vehicle for the entire overnight sailing

Fines apply for taking a pet into a non-pet-friendly cabin. Brittany Ferries charge a deep-cleaning fee of €193.68 for a first offence and €387.36 for any repeat offence. Only registered assistance dogs are permitted in public areas. Pet areas are clearly signposted onboard.

🌿 Pet Exercise Area

The MV Saint-Malo has a dedicated pet exercise area on deck 7, directly alongside the pet-friendly cabins and kennels. Dogs must remain muzzled and on a lead at all times in the exercise area.

You are responsible for cleaning up after your pet. Suitable bins are provided in designated pet areas.

The Armorique does not have a pet exercise area. If sailing on the Armorique, there is no dedicated exercise space for your pet.

🦺 Assistance Dogs & Emotional Support Animals

Registered assistance dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility assistance dogs) are exempt from the muzzle requirement and are permitted in passenger public areas. You must notify Brittany Ferries at the time of booking, and your dog must comply with all pet travel documentation requirements.

Emotional support animals are permitted on board but are subject to the same rules as regular pets — they must be muzzled and on a lead when outside their accommodation, and are not permitted in passenger public areas unless a pet-friendly cabin has been booked. They do not receive the same exemptions as registered assistance dogs.

📋 Documents Checklist

• AHC (original, issued within last 10 days) — all GB residents
• EU Pet Passport — Northern Ireland residents only
• Rabies vaccination certificate
• Microchip documentation
• Your booking confirmation
• Pre-check confirmation email
• Your own passport or driving licence (for vehicle visits)

🎒 Essentials

• Muzzle — dogs must wear one outside their accommodation
• Lead
• Absorbent bedding (not supplied in kennels or pet cabins)
• Your pet’s own familiar blanket or toy
• Nappy sacks and tissues for accidents
• Collar tag with your number including international dialling code

🥣 Food & Water

• Water in a spill-safe, attachable container
• Water bowl (not provided in kennels)
• Food and food bowl
• Don’t overfeed or over-water before boarding
• Ensure water is reachable throughout the sailing

🚗 If Pet Stays in Your Vehicle

• Window grilles — allow ventilation while preventing escape
• Travel crate if your pet is accustomed to one
• Enough space to sit, stand, turn and lie down naturally
• Remember: no access on overnight sailings

🐕 Dogs — Tapeworm Treatment Window

Your dog must have tapeworm treatment administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours before the scheduled arrival time in the UK. The treatment must be correctly entered on your AHC or EU Pet Passport — product name, manufacturer, date, time, and vet’s stamp and signature.

The return sailing departs St Malo at around 10:30 and arrives Portsmouth at around 18:20. Work backwards from the arrival time — your treatment window opens 5 days before arrival and closes 24 hours before.

🐱 Cats & Ferrets

Cats and ferrets returning to the UK do not require tapeworm or tick treatment. You will need your valid AHC with current rabies vaccination details to return to Great Britain. These requirements are unchanged.

Always check the date, vet’s name, stamp and signature on your pet’s documentation before leaving the vet surgery — any error can cause serious problems at the UK border. Any alterations must be legible, signed and stamped by the vet.

🛂 DEFRA Checks at Portsmouth

Be prepared for a DEFRA inspection on arrival at Portsmouth International Port. Officials verify that all documentation is in order and procedures have been correctly followed. A failure at this stage can result in your pet being re-exported or placed in quarantine — entirely at your expense.

If any element of your documentation or microchip procedures fails, Brittany Ferries can only carry your pet if you have already arranged quarantine for UK arrival. Owners are solely responsible for compliance with all regulations.

Can I take my dog on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Yes — dogs are welcome on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry with Brittany Ferries, provided you are travelling with a vehicle. You must book your dog in advance either in a pet-friendly cabin, an onboard kennel (MV Saint-Malo only), or leaving your dog in your vehicle. The pet fee is £35 per dog each way.

Can I take my pet as a foot passenger on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

No. Pets cannot travel with foot passengers, cyclists or motorcyclists on Brittany Ferries — there are no exceptions to this rule. You must have a vehicle booked on the same crossing to bring any pet. The only exception is registered assistance dogs — contact Brittany Ferries directly to arrange this.

What pet documentation do I need to travel Portsmouth to St Malo in 2026?

From 22 April 2026, the rules changed significantly. GB residents (England, Scotland, Wales) must now obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for every trip to the EU — EU pet passports are no longer valid for entry into the EU if your main residence is in Great Britain, regardless of when the passport was issued or which country it was issued in. The AHC must be issued by an official vet within 10 days of travel. Your pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before the AHC can be issued. Northern Ireland residents are an exception and may still use EU pet passports issued by NI vets. Always check gov.uk before you travel.

Can I still use my EU pet passport after April 2026?

Not if you are a GB resident (England, Scotland or Wales) travelling from Great Britain to the EU. From 22 April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents entering the EU — this applies even to passports issued before that date, and even if the passport was issued in an EU country. You must obtain an AHC from an official vet for every trip. The exception is Northern Ireland residents, whose vets may still issue EU pet passports. EU pet passports can still be used to return to Great Britain on the homeward leg.

Does my dog have to stay in the car on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Not necessarily. On the MV Saint-Malo you can choose an onboard kennel or a pet-friendly cabin where your dog stays with you. If your dog remains in the vehicle, the car deck is locked once the ship sails — on the overnight Portsmouth to St Malo sailing, there are no visits to the garage. On the daytime St Malo to Portsmouth return, limited visits can be arranged via the information desk (one person, 15 minutes maximum, subject to the captain’s discretion).

Does my dog need to wear a muzzle on the ferry?

Yes. Dogs must be muzzled and on a lead at all times when outside their vehicle, kennel or pet-friendly cabin — including during check-in, all transfers on board, and in the pet exercise area. Fines are actively enforced for non-compliance. You must supply the muzzle yourself. Assistance dogs are exempt.

What tapeworm treatment does my dog need to return to the UK from France?

Your dog must have tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 and 120 hours before the scheduled UK arrival time. It must be recorded on your AHC or EU Pet Passport with the product name, manufacturer, date, time and vet’s stamp and signature. Many French vets are closed Sundays and Mondays — book your appointment as soon as you arrive in France. Cats and ferrets do not require tapeworm treatment. These return requirements are unchanged by the April 2026 rule changes.

Can I take a cat on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

Yes — cats can travel in a pet-friendly cabin or in your vehicle on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry. Cats cannot use onboard kennels on any Brittany Ferries ship. From 22 April 2026, GB residents must now have an AHC (not an EU pet passport) to travel to France with a cat. The AHC must be issued within 10 days of travel, and your cat must be microchipped with a current rabies vaccination. Cats returning to the UK do not require tapeworm or tick treatment.

When do I need to check in when travelling with a pet?

Passengers with pets must check in at least 90 minutes before departure — earlier than the standard check-in requirement for vehicle passengers. For the 20:15 Portsmouth sailing, aim to arrive by 18:30 at the latest. Your pet’s documentation and microchip will be checked at this stage and a pet sticker placed on your windscreen.

How many pets can I take on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry?

You can book up to 5 pets per vehicle when booking online. For more than 5 pets on one booking, contact Brittany Ferries directly. A 2-berth pet-friendly cabin accommodates 1 large dog (over 10kg) or 2 small dogs/cats (under 10kg). A 4-berth pet-friendly cabin accommodates up to 2 large dogs or 3 small dogs/cats.

Cabin Guide

Every cabin grade on MV Saint-Malo and Armorique — from Admiral suite to standard 4-berth

Cabins Guide →

Ferry Timetable

Full 2026 sailing schedule — departure times, seasonal dates, and which days sailings run

Timetable →

Portsmouth Port Guide

Parking, getting there, terminal facilities, check-in, EV charging and everything about Portsmouth port

Port Guide →

St Malo City Guide

Ramparts, beaches, restaurants, attractions and the very best of St Malo — once you arrive

St Malo Guide →