Pets on the Rostock-Gedser Ferry

Basic Rules for Bringing Animals

Scandlines allows smaller pets on all ferries. Travelling with them is free of charge; there are no additional fees for dogs, cats or other small animals. This applies regardless of the ticket type you choose.

Permitted Animals

The following pets can be brought on the ferry:

• Dogs: the most frequently carried pets, with no particular size restrictions
• Cats: in suitable carriers or on a lead
• Small animals: rabbits, guinea pigs and similar animals in closed carriers

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are carried free of charge. Bringing them requires proof of medical necessity and prior registration by telephone with Scandlines. For these assistance dogs, check-in is required at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Booking and Registration

When booking the ferry ticket, you must state that you are bringing a pet. You do this during the online booking process, through telephone customer service or directly at the port. There is no separate fee; the information is purely for the ferry operator.

Regular check-in should take place at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure in Gedser and 30 minutes before departure in Rostock. Longer check-in times of 60 minutes apply to travellers with guide dogs or assistance dogs.

Accommodation and Staying on Board

During the two-hour crossing, pet owners have several options for keeping their animals.

Staying in the Vehicle

Dogs can remain in the vehicle on the car deck during the crossing. For safety reasons, however, the car deck is closed to passengers during the trip. It is not possible to visit the animal in the car. This rule follows the maritime safety regulations on larger ferries.

Bringing Pets onto the Passenger Decks

Alternatively, pets can be taken onto the passenger decks. The following rules apply there:

Animals are allowed in all areas without carpet. For hygiene reasons, a minimum distance of two metres from the buffet and food-serving areas must be kept. Pets must be kept on a lead throughout the crossing, or transported in closed cages, baskets or carriers.

On the passenger decks of the Rostock-Gedser route, dogs are required to wear a muzzle in some areas. Signs indicate these areas. Assistance dogs are exempt from the muzzle requirement.

Excluded Areas

Pets are not permitted in the following areas:

• Restaurants (except with the express permission of the ship's command)
• All indoor areas with carpet
• Areas in the immediate vicinity of food-serving points

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are exempt from these restrictions.

Rules of Conduct and the Owner's Obligations

The Scandlines shipping company sets clear requirements for the supervision and behaviour of pets during the crossing.

Owners must ensure that their pets are under constant supervision throughout the crossing. The animals must not cause any nuisance or danger to other passengers, their luggage, vehicles or to crew members. Instructions from the ship's command and their representatives must be followed.

In the event of breaches of the conditions of carriage, in particular the lead requirement or the muzzle requirement, the ship's command may, after a warning, take the animal into custody or put the animal and owner ashore at the next port. A flat charge of 50 euros applies to these measures.

The owner is liable for any significant soiling caused by the animal and for damage to the ferry, as well as for harm to other travellers.

Documents Required for Entry into Denmark

For entry into Denmark with pets, the EU rules on the movement of pet animals apply, along with specific Danish regulations.

EU Pet Passport

A valid EU pet passport is mandatory for dogs and cats. It must contain:

• Clear identification of the animal by microchip number
• Veterinary proof of a valid rabies vaccination
• Details of the animal's owner

The microchip must have been implanted before the rabies vaccination. Older tattoos are valid only if they were done before 3 July 2011 and are clearly legible.

Rabies Vaccination

The rabies vaccination must meet the following requirements:

The first vaccination may be given no earlier than 12 weeks of age. Entry is permitted only 21 days after the vaccination protocol has been completed. Puppies may therefore enter Denmark no earlier than 15 weeks of age. Booster vaccinations must be given within the validity period stated by the manufacturer.

Maximum Number of Animals

On holiday trips, a maximum of five pets per person may be brought along.

Special Rules for Certain Dog Breeds

Since 1 July 2010, Denmark has had a dog law that bans the entry of certain breeds. This rule is particularly important for holidaymakers with dogs.

Banned Dog Breeds

The following 13 dog breeds and their crossbreeds are not allowed to enter Denmark:

• Pitbull Terrier
• Tosa Inu
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Fila Brasileiro
• Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff)
• American Bulldog
• Boerboel
• Kangal (including the Anatolian Shepherd Dog)
• Central Asian Ovcharka
• Caucasian Ovcharka
• South Russian Ovcharka
• Tornjak
• Šarplaninac

The entry ban also applies to crossbreeds in which one of these breeds has been mixed.

Exemptions from the Entry Ban

There are two exemptions:

Dogs with grandfather rights: if the dog can be shown to have been acquired before 17 March 2010, it may enter Denmark. This exemption does not apply to the Pitbull Terrier and Tosa Inu, as they have been banned since 1991. Dogs with grandfather rights must be kept in publicly accessible places on a lead no longer than two metres and wearing a muzzle.

Transit: dogs of banned breeds may travel through Denmark if they remain in a closed carrier. Short stays outside the vehicle for necessary walks are permitted, but the stay in Denmark should take place without unnecessary delay.

Risk of Confusion

The Danish police enforce the dog law and can, if in doubt, require documents on breed membership. Some dog breeds resemble the banned breeds and can be confused with them, but are not banned. These include, among others, the Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Tatra Sheepdog.

Practical Tips for the Crossing

Good preparation makes the ferry crossing with a pet considerably easier.

Before Departure

Get your dog used to wearing a muzzle in good time, in case one is required on the ferry. Let your pet relieve itself immediately before boarding. There are green areas at the ferry port that can be used for this. Allow enough time for check-in, especially if you are bringing an assistance dog.

During the Crossing

Bring enough poo bags, even though there are no dog toilets. At the Scandlines FoodXpress, you can borrow a water bowl for your dog. Keep kitchen roll and cleaning wipes handy for any mishaps. Decide before departure whether your dog will stay in the car or come onto the passenger decks, as a change is not possible during the trip.

After Arrival

Find out about the lead requirement at your destination in Denmark. From 1 April to 30 September, there is a general lead requirement on beaches. In forests and parks, a lead requirement applies all year round, unless special dog zones are marked.

Recommended Travel Kit

For a relaxed crossing, you should bring the following items:

• EU pet passport with up-to-date vaccinations
• Proof of breed if there is a risk of confusion
• Lead and, if necessary, a muzzle
• Poo bags and cleaning material
• Water and a travel bowl
• A familiar blanket or toy
• An address tag with contact details on the collar

Further Information and Contact

For specific questions on bringing pets, Scandlines customer service is available on +49 (0) 381 77 88 77 66. Up-to-date information on the Danish entry requirements for pets can be found on the website of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the food authority Fødevarestyrelsen.

The staff on board are happy to help with questions during the crossing and can offer additional information and support if needed.