If you’re planning to fly Ryanair with your pet, you need to know this upfront: Ryanair does not allow pets in the cabin or cargo hold.
The only animals permitted on Ryanair flights are certified guide or assistance dogs, and even those are restricted to specific routes.
This is one of the strictest pet policies among European carriers, so if you’re traveling with a cat, dog, or any other pet, you’ll need to find an alternative airline.
Ryanair Pet Policy at a Glance
Not Permitted
Not Available
Free (Intra-EU/EEA Only)
Online Form / Special Assistance Team
Why Ryanair Doesn’t Allow Pets
Ryanair does not carry animals except for certified assistance dogs. This applies to all pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and any other species. There’s no option to pay extra, use a special carrier, or book cargo space.
This policy aligns with Ryanair’s low-cost business model, which prioritizes quick turnarounds and standardized operations.
Adding pet travel would require additional staff training, specialized handling procedures, and climate-controlled cargo facilities that the airline has chosen not to invest in.
What About Emotional Support Animals?
Emotional support animals and therapy animals are not recognized by Ryanair. Even with documentation from a mental health professional, your emotional support dog or cat cannot travel in the cabin or cargo.
The only animals Ryanair accepts are guide or assistance dogs certified by one of three organizations: Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK, or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). These must be working service dogs trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with physical, sensory, or psychiatric disabilities.
Certified Guide and Assistance Dogs: The Only Exception
If you have a certified guide or assistance dog, you can travel with it free of charge on most Ryanair routes. But there are important restrictions and requirements you need to understand before booking.
Which Routes Allow Service Dogs
Permitted Routes
- All intra-EU/EEA flights (flights between European Union and European Economic Area countries)
- All domestic flights within a single country
Restricted Routes
- Flights to or from Morocco
- Flights to or from Israel
If you’re flying one of these restricted routes, you’ll need to make alternative arrangements. Ryanair will not make exceptions, even for certified service dogs.
Required Certification
Your service dog must be certified by one of these organizations:
- Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
- Assistance Dogs UK
- International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)
You’ll need to provide proof of this certification when you pre-advise Ryanair about your service dog. Dogs certified by other organizations or self-trained service dogs are not accepted, regardless of their training or your disability.
Only dogs qualify as service animals on Ryanair. Miniature horses, cats, or other species sometimes recognized as service animals in certain countries are not permitted.
Documentation You’ll Need
Required Documents for Service Dog Travel
- Valid certification from ADI, Assistance Dogs UK, or IGDF
- Valid EU Pet Passport or official veterinary health certificate
- Proof of rabies vaccination and other treatments required by your destination country
- For UK or Ireland routes: additional service dog affiliation documentation
The health documentation requirements follow the destination country’s Pet Travel Scheme rules. This is your responsibility to research and arrange. Ryanair’s policy page notes that passengers must ensure compliance with all destination country requirements for animal entry.
How to Book Travel with a Service Dog
You cannot simply show up at the airport with your service dog. Ryanair requires advance notification, and failure to pre-advise can result in denied boarding.
- Book your flight as normal through Ryanair’s website or app
- On the same day you book (or as soon as possible), pre-advise Ryanair about your service dog
- Use the online Special Assistance notification form or contact the Special Assistance team
- Provide all required documentation when requested
- Arrive at the airport with your service dog, documentation, and confirmation
Ryanair’s help center doesn’t list a specific phone number for pet or service dog bookings. You’ll need to use their online help center or the Special Assistance notification system during the booking process. The airline recommends notifying them on the day you book to ensure space is available for your service dog.
Fees for Service Dogs
Service dogs travel free of charge on Ryanair. This includes the dog itself and reasonable containers or food for the animal during the flight. You won’t be charged a pet fee, and your service dog doesn’t count as carry-on baggage.
At the Airport and On Board
When you arrive at the airport, check in as normal. Your service dog must remain under your control at all times. During the flight, your dog must be restrained using a harness attached to your seat belt. Ryanair doesn’t provide this harness; you need to bring your own.
Your service dog should remain at your feet or in the space directly in front of your seat. The dog cannot occupy a seat, block the aisle, or interfere with other passengers. While specific check-in timing isn’t detailed in Ryanair’s service dog policy, arriving early is smart. Budget extra time for any additional documentation checks or questions from staff who may be less familiar with service dog procedures.
What to Do If You Need to Travel with a Pet on Ryanair Routes
Since Ryanair doesn’t accept pets, you have three options:
1. Choose a different airline. Many European carriers allow small pets in cabin or offer cargo options. Airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and British Airways have established pet programs.
Yes, you’ll likely pay more than a Ryanair fare, but it’s the only way to fly with your pet on many routes.
2. Use a pet transport service. Professional pet shipping companies can arrange ground or air transport for your pet separately from your own travel. This is expensive but sometimes necessary for international moves or when no pet-friendly flights are available on your schedule.
3. Arrange ground transportation. For shorter distances within Europe, driving or taking a pet-friendly train might be more practical than flying. Many European rail services allow pets, and you’ll avoid the stress of air travel entirely.
Comparing Ryanair to Other Low-Cost European Carriers
Ryanair isn’t alone in restricting pet travel. Here’s how other European budget airlines compare:
European Budget Airline Pet Policies
- EasyJet: No pets allowed except service dogs (similar to Ryanair)
- Wizz Air: No pets in cabin or cargo; service dogs only
- Norwegian: Allows small pets in cabin on some routes (up to 8 kg / 17.6 lbs including carrier)
- Vueling: Allows small pets in cabin (up to 8 kg / 17.6 lbs including carrier) for a fee
If you’re flexible on carriers, Norwegian and Vueling offer more pet-friendly options on overlapping routes.
Understanding EU Pet Travel Rules vs. Airline Policies
It’s important to separate airline policies from government regulations. Even if an airline allowed pets (which Ryanair doesn’t), you’d still need to comply with EU and destination country requirements:
EU Pet Travel Requirements
- Microchipping (standard 15-digit ISO chip)
- Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel
- EU Pet Passport or health certificate from an official veterinarian
- Tapeworm treatment for UK entry (dogs only, administered 1-5 days before travel)
- Country-specific restrictions on breeds or species
Ryanair’s policy page explicitly states that passengers are responsible for ensuring their service dogs meet all destination country requirements. The airline doesn’t verify this; immigration officials at your destination will.
If your documentation isn’t in order, your service dog can be denied entry, quarantined, or sent back, even if Ryanair allowed you to board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy an extra seat for my small dog on Ryanair?
No. Ryanair does not allow pets in the cabin under any circumstances, even if you purchase an additional seat. The only exception is certified guide or assistance dogs, which travel free in the floor space at your feet.
Does Ryanair offer cargo or hold transport for pets?
No. Ryanair does not have a cargo or checked baggage pet program. The airline does not transport pets in the hold, regardless of size, crate type, or fee offered.
What if I have a letter from my doctor for an emotional support animal?
Ryanair does not recognize emotional support animals or therapy animals. Only guide or assistance dogs certified by ADI, Assistance Dogs UK, or IGDF are permitted. A doctor’s letter or ESA registration is not sufficient.
Can I fly with my service dog to Morocco or Israel on Ryanair?
No. Service dogs are not permitted on Ryanair flights to or from Morocco or Israel, regardless of certification. You’ll need to find an alternative airline or make other arrangements for these destinations.
How much does it cost to fly with a service dog on Ryanair?
Service dogs travel free of charge on permitted Ryanair routes. There are no fees for the dog, its harness, or reasonable food/containers for the flight.
What happens if I show up at the airport with my pet without advance notice?
If you arrive with a pet (other than a properly documented service dog), you will be denied boarding. Ryanair’s policy is absolute: no pets allowed. Even with a certified service dog, failure to pre-advise the airline can result in denied boarding if the flight is already at capacity for service animals (maximum four per flight).
Are there any Ryanair routes that allow regular pets?
No. The no-pets policy applies to all Ryanair routes, domestic and international. There are no exceptions based on flight length, destination, or aircraft type.
This article is for informational purposes only. Airline policies change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the airline before booking. Ryanair’s official pet and service dog policies can be found at help.ryanair.com.
