Taking a dog to Tunisia

Taking a dog to Tunisia is very doable, but it needs more preparation than a trip within the EU. Tunisia is a non-EU country with no listed rabies status. For the outward journey you need the usual documents; the real bottleneck is the return journey to the EU: without a rabies titre test done in good time, your dog can't come back. On this page you'll find the rules for the outward and return journey, how your pet travels on board, and what to watch out for in each operator's on-board rules. If you're travelling by camper, vehicle dimensions and customs come into it too - all covered in the guide Taking a motorhome to Tunisia.

The return journey is what really matters

The most important step is preparing the return journey to the EU. Because Tunisia isn't listed as rabies-free, the EU requires a rabies antibody test (titre test):

• The blood sample may be taken no earlier than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
• It must be taken by an authorised vet and analysed at an EU-approved laboratory.
• If the test is only done in Tunisia, a three-month waiting period applies before re-entry.

Entering Tunisia

The requirements for the outward journey are manageable:

• EU pet passport with the chip recorded and a valid rabies vaccination.
• ISO microchip (standard 11784/11785), implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Valid rabies vaccination, recorded in the pet passport.
• Official health certificate, usually required for entry to Tunisia.

As requirements can change, check them before departure with the Tunisian consulate or the relevant veterinary authority. For re-entry to the EU, a maximum of five animals may be brought in, and you must confirm in writing that the trip isn't for sale or change of ownership.

Where your dog travels on board

How your dog is accommodated varies considerably by operator:

• Grimaldi Lines: your dog may go on the outside decks on a lead and muzzled. A paid pet cabin service is available; otherwise the animal travels in the kennel. Pets are not allowed in restaurants, lounges or indoor areas.
• Corsica Linea: pets travel exclusively in the secured, ventilated on-board kennel with access to water and, for hygiene reasons, may not move freely around the ship, even on a lead. The kennel is opened shortly before arrival. Guide and assistance dogs may travel in the cabin free of charge.
• GNV and CTN: pet cabins or kennels depending on the ship; a lead and usually a muzzle are required for boarding, and the operator requires proof of valid vaccination.

On all ferries the vehicle deck is closed during the crossing, so your dog doesn't stay in the car. The number of pet cabins is limited, so register your pet at the time of booking, not just at the port. Bring food, water, a lead, a muzzle and poo bags.

Which route is best with a dog?

For your dog, time on board matters most. The shortest crossing is from Sicily with Palermo - Tunis, around ten hours. The connections from mainland Italy and from France - Genoa, Civitavecchia, Salerno and Marseille - take around a day; on these your dog spends a night in the kennel or, where possible, a pet cabin.

Checklist for travelling with a dog

• Have the titre test done in good time before departure in the EU and recorded in the pet passport.
• EU pet passport, microchip and rabies vaccination complete and valid.
• Health certificate for entry to Tunisia, with a current date.
• Ferry booking with your dog registered and, where needed, a reserved pet cabin or kennel space.
• Plan a toilet break before departure and keep your documents ready at check-in.