If you’re planning to fly with your pet on Wizz Air, here’s what you need to know upfront: the airline does not allow regular pets (dogs, cats, birds, or any other animals) to travel in the cabin or cargo hold.
The only animals permitted on board are certified guide and assistance dogs for passengers with disabilities, and they travel free of charge. This makes Wizz Air one of the most restrictive European carriers for pet travel.
Wizz Air Pet Policy at a Glance
No (assistance dogs only)
Not available
Free (all routes)
Phone/Email (48hr advance)
Why Wizz Air Doesn’t Accept Pets
Wizz Air operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier, and part of their business model involves streamlining services to keep fares low. Unlike many European airlines that allow small pets in the cabin for a fee, Wizz Air has chosen not to offer pet transport services at all.
This policy applies across their entire network of over 200 destinations, primarily across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Whether you’re flying a short domestic route within Hungary or an international flight from London Luton to Abu Dhabi, the restriction remains the same.
Certified Assistance Dogs: The Only Exception
Wizz Air makes one exception to their no-pets policy: certified guide and assistance dogs for passengers with disabilities can travel in the cabin at no charge. This service is governed by European accessibility regulations and the airline’s special assistance program.
To qualify, the dog must be a certified assistance animal as defined by Decree No. 27/2009 of the Ministry of Social and Labour Affairs. This primarily covers guide dogs for visually impaired passengers, hearing dogs for those with hearing impairments, and assistance dogs for passengers with other recognized disabilities.
Only one assistance dog is permitted per flight, and the dog must fit comfortably at the passenger’s feet without intruding into the aisle or adjacent seats.
What About Emotional Support Animals?
Wizz Air explicitly does not accept emotional support animals (ESAs) on any flights. If you have an emotional support animal, it cannot travel with you on Wizz Air under any circumstances. The airline does not offer a cargo option, so there’s no alternative way to transport your ESA.
This policy aligns with the broader European trend of tightening ESA regulations, as many airlines have moved to accept only certified assistance dogs trained for specific disability-related tasks.
How to Book Travel with an Assistance Dog
If you have a certified assistance dog and need to fly on Wizz Air, you must notify the airline at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.
- When making your flight reservation, indicate that you require special assistance through your WIZZ Account online during the booking process
- Contact Wizz Air’s Special Assistance team via email at specialassistance@wizzair.com or call their Special Assistance Call Centre (phone numbers vary by country and can be found on their website)
- Provide details about your assistance dog, including certification documentation and any health/vaccination records required by your departure and destination countries
- Submit all required documentation at least 48 hours before departure to allow time for verification and approval
- Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight, even for short-haul routes, to allow extra time for check-in procedures
You can complete online check-in as normal, but you should still approach the check-in desk or gate agents to confirm your seating arrangement and present your dog’s documentation in person.
Documentation Required for Assistance Dogs
Traveling with an assistance dog requires comprehensive paperwork. Wizz Air’s policy defers to the regulations of each country you’re traveling to and from, so you’re responsible for researching and obtaining the correct documentation for your route.
Required Documents Checklist
- Certification proving your dog is a trained assistance animal: Must comply with the regulations in your departure country. For EU flights, certification under relevant EU or national disability assistance programs is required
- Health certificate: A veterinary health certificate issued within the timeframe required by your destination country (typically 10 days before travel)
- Vaccination records: Proof of rabies vaccination and any other vaccinations required by the countries you’re traveling to and from
- Microchip documentation: If traveling within the EU or to countries requiring microchipping, proof that your dog is microchipped and the chip number matches your documentation
- EU Pet Passport (if applicable): For travel within the European Union, an EU Pet Passport may be accepted if it contains all required health and vaccination information
- Import permits or additional country-specific documents: Some destinations have additional requirements beyond the EU standards. Check with the embassy or consulate of your destination country
For EU destinations, the EU Pet Travel Scheme provides standardized requirements, but non-EU destinations (such as Morocco, Egypt, Israel, or the UAE, all served by Wizz Air) have their own import regulations that can be significantly more complex.
Fees for Assistance Dog Travel
Wizz Air does not charge any fees for certified assistance dogs traveling with disabled passengers. There are no seasonal surcharges, route-based variations, or additional handling fees.
| Route Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU internal flights | Free | All flights within European Union member states |
| EU to non-EU flights | Free | Includes routes to UK, Morocco, Egypt, UAE, etc. |
| Non-EU to non-EU flights | Free | All routes operated by Wizz Air |
What to Expect at the Airport
When traveling with an assistance dog on Wizz Air, arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, even for short flights. This extra time accounts for special assistance processing and document verification.
At check-in, present all your documentation: your assistance dog certification, health certificate, vaccination records, and any destination-specific permits. The check-in agent will verify these documents and may need to contact the Special Assistance team for final approval.
Your dog must remain under your control at all times in the airport. Most airports have designated relief areas for service animals, typically located outside the terminal or in specific indoor zones. Ask airport staff for directions if signage isn’t clear.
During boarding, you’ll typically be allowed to board early as part of the special assistance process. On the aircraft, your assistance dog must remain at your feet throughout the flight. The dog cannot occupy a seat, sit in the aisle, or extend into the space of adjacent passengers.
Alternatives If You Have a Regular Pet
Since Wizz Air doesn’t accept regular pets in cabin or cargo, you have several alternatives if you need to travel with your dog, cat, or other animal:
Alternative Airlines
Many European carriers allow small pets in the cabin. Airlines like Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and Turkish Airlines all have established pet programs with in-cabin and cargo options.
This is typically the most convenient option if your route is served by multiple carriers.
Ground & Professional Transport
Ground transportation: For shorter distances within Europe, consider train or car travel. Many European train services allow pets.
Pet transport services: Professional pet shipping companies can arrange door-to-door transport using cargo flights on pet-friendly airlines.
Pet relocation specialists: If you’re moving permanently, pet relocation companies specialize in international moves and can navigate complex import requirements.
Route-Specific Considerations
Wizz Air’s no-pets policy applies uniformly across their entire network. There are no routes where exceptions are made, no seasonal variations, and no destination-specific allowances.
However, if you’re traveling with an assistance dog, you need to be aware of destination country regulations:
Key Destination Requirements
- United Kingdom: Post-Brexit, the UK no longer participates in the EU Pet Travel Scheme. You’ll need to follow the UK’s updated import requirements, which include microchipping, rabies vaccination, and a health certificate issued by an official veterinarian. The process is more complex than it was before 2021
- Morocco, Egypt, and other North African destinations: These countries have their own import permit systems. Some require advance applications submitted weeks before travel. Research requirements well in advance
- United Arab Emirates: The UAE has strict import regulations including mandatory microchipping, rabies vaccination with specific timing requirements, and import permits that must be obtained before arrival
Wizz Air operates to over 200 destinations, and import requirements vary widely. The airline’s policy page doesn’t provide country-specific guidance, so you must research your destination’s rules independently or work with a pet travel consultant.
Breed Restrictions and Size Limits
Since Wizz Air only accepts certified assistance dogs (not regular pets), there are no formal breed restriction lists for cabin or cargo travel. However, your assistance dog must comply with any breed-specific regulations in your departure and destination countries.
Some countries ban or restrict certain breeds regardless of their status as assistance animals. For example, the UK has breed-specific legislation covering pit bull terriers and several other breeds. If your assistance dog is a restricted breed, you may face complications entering certain countries even with proper certification.
Size-wise, the only requirement is that your assistance dog must fit comfortably at your feet without intruding into the aisle or adjacent passenger space. There’s no specific weight limit stated, but very large dogs may not fit in the footwell of a standard economy seat.
Codeshare and Partner Flights
Wizz Air is an independent ultra-low-cost carrier and is not a member of any major airline alliance (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or oneworld). However, they do have codeshare agreements with a small number of partner airlines.
If your ticket includes a codeshare segment operated by another airline, that airline’s pet policy applies to that portion of your journey, not Wizz Air’s policy. Check with each operating carrier separately.
Your Questions Answered
Can I bring my small dog in a carrier on Wizz Air if it’s under 8kg?
No. Wizz Air does not accept any regular pets (dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, etc.) in the cabin, regardless of size or weight. The only animals allowed are certified assistance dogs for passengers with disabilities. Some outdated websites incorrectly state that Wizz Air accepts cabin pets up to 6-10kg, but this information is wrong.
How much does it cost to bring an assistance dog on Wizz Air?
Certified assistance dogs travel completely free of charge on all Wizz Air routes. There are no fees for the dog, no booking charges, and no seasonal surcharges. This applies whether you’re flying a short domestic route or a long international flight.
Can I book my assistance dog online or do I have to call?
You can indicate the need for special assistance during the online booking process through your WIZZ Account, but you must also contact the Special Assistance team directly (via email at specialassistance@wizzair.com or by phone) at least 48 hours before departure. Online booking alone isn’t sufficient because the airline needs to verify your documentation and confirm that no other assistance dog is already booked on your flight.
What happens if I show up at the airport with my pet without advance notice?
If you arrive at the airport with a regular pet (not a certified assistance dog), you will not be allowed to board with the animal. Wizz Air does not make exceptions at the airport. If you have a certified assistance dog but failed to provide 48 hours advance notice, the airline may still deny boarding, especially if another passenger has already booked with an assistance dog (only one per flight is allowed).
Does Wizz Air offer a cargo option for pets on certain routes?
No. Wizz Air does not offer cargo or checked baggage transport for pets on any routes. This isn’t just a limitation on certain destinations, it’s a company-wide policy. If you need to transport a pet that isn’t a certified assistance dog, you must book with a different airline or use a professional pet transport service.
Are emotional support animals treated the same as service dogs?
No. Wizz Air explicitly does not accept emotional support animals on any flights. Only certified guide and assistance dogs trained to perform specific disability-related tasks are permitted. If you have an emotional support animal, it cannot travel with you on Wizz Air under any circumstances.
This article is for informational purposes only. Airline policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the airline before booking. Last researched: February 2026.
