Croatia ferries with pets: operator rules and 2026 fares

Crossing the Adriatic with a dog (or cat, or less commonly a bird) in 2026 is not governed by a single Croatia-wide rulebook. The rules a traveler is held to are operator-specific, and they differ in three ways that matter: where the pet is allowed to physically sit on the vessel, how much it costs, and what the staff actually check at the gangway. This guide walks operator by operator: Jadrolinija (the state-owned carrier that runs almost every domestic ferry line plus the Italy crossings), Krilo / Kapetan Luka (the dominant fast-catamaran network down the Dalmatian coast), SNAV (the Italian operator running the seasonal Ancona-Split overnight), TP Line (the Zadar-based catamaran company that absorbed G&V Line's Dubrovnik operation in 2021), what remains of G&V Line Iadera, and the current 2026 status of GNV on the Croatia corridor.

Where an exact 2026 figure is not published on the operator's own site (notably Jadrolinija's catamaran pet-box fee and SNAV's pet ticket fare), this article flags that explicitly rather than guessing. Where the Croatian and English versions of an operator's site differ on pet rules, the discrepancy is called out.

Before booking, three universal steps#

1. Confirm pet paperwork is in date. For travel within the EU the traveler needs a valid EU pet passport (or an Animal Health Certificate if entering from a non-EU country), a microchip, and a rabies vaccination administered at least 21 days before travel for a primary jab.
2. Re-read the operator's pet policy on the morning of travel. Operators have changed their rules mid-season before. Jadrolinija tightened catamaran rules in 2023 after a veterinary inspection, and that change has remained in force since.
3. Match the vessel type to the pet's size. On Jadrolinija and most Croatian carriers, a dog under 8 kg in a soft carrier can travel inside the catamaran lounge; anything bigger has to go on the open deck of a car ferry or, on some catamarans, into a paid kennel box on the open deck. Carrier-and-cabin assumptions used in Italy or Greece do not translate one-to-one to Croatia.

Pricing in this article reflects published 2026 EUR fares. Where Jadrolinija splits fares into low season (typically 1 January to 28 May and 28 September to 31 December) and high season (typically 29 May to 27 September), both numbers and the calendar windows are given.

The Croatian legal baseline#

Three layers of Croatian and EU law sit on top of whatever the operator publishes.

Muzzle and leash on public transport. Croatian practice, reflected in the public-transport rules cited by ZET (Zagreb's public transport authority) and consistently applied by maritime carriers, requires dogs taller than 30 cm at the withers to be muzzled and on a short leash in any public conveyance, with vaccination records on the owner. Smaller dogs and other small pets must be in an appropriate transport box or carrier. Every Croatian operator below restates this baseline: muzzle plus leash for dogs, except certified assistance or guide dogs.

EU pet passport or Animal Health Certificate. For movement between EU member states, and so for any Croatia-Italy ferry, the pet must be microchipped, carry a valid EU pet passport (or AHC for non-EU origin), and have an in-date rabies vaccination. The Croatian Veterinary Inspection's guidance restates the same requirement.

Dangerous breeds. Croatia's regulation on the keeping of dangerous breeds (Pravilnik o opasnim psima) is covered in detail in the separate dangerous-breeds guide. For ferry purposes the practical effect is that breeds on the list must be muzzled and on a short leash, and every operator below reserves the right to refuse boarding to a dog it judges a risk to other passengers.

Document checks at boarding are not theoretical on the international routes. Jadrolinija requires vaccination certificates for transport on its international lines. SNAV requires veterinary certification of good health, anti-parasite treatment, and canine-registry registration. On domestic Croatian routes, document checks are inconsistent in practice, but the legal obligation to carry the documents is constant.

1. Jadrolinija (domestic island lines and Italy crossings)#

Jadrolinija is the largest operator in Croatia by far and runs almost every domestic car-ferry line plus the international routes to Italy. Its pet rules are set out in two places on its own site: the bilingual FAQ and the international Conditions of Carriage.

Pet policy on domestic ferries and catamarans

From Jadrolinija's FAQ:

• On car ferries and conventional ships: transport of pets is free of charge. Dogs must wear a muzzle (except assistance dogs) and be on a leash; cats in carriers; birds in cages. Pets must remain on the open deck and are not permitted in indoor passenger spaces.
• On catamarans, small pets: allowed inside the passenger lounge only in a dedicated soft carrier of maximum dimensions 45 x 35 x 25 cm with a waterproof base, total weight (carrier + pet) not exceeding 8 kg. The carrier must stay under the seat or on the passenger's lap throughout the journey; one carrier per passenger. Transport is free of charge.
• On catamarans, larger pets (over 8 kg): permitted only if the vessel has designated boxes (kennels) on the open deck. These must be reserved in advance by email to the local sales office and are charged according to the published tariff. Tickets cannot be bought through the standard online flow; Jadrolinija explicitly instructs online customers to contact a sales agency by email to reserve a box and receive a quote.
• Captain's discretion: if a pet inside the catamaran lounge disturbs other passengers, the captain may require it to be moved to an outside box (if available) or order the owner to disembark at the next port without refund.

Fee structure only. Jadrolinija's pet-box charge for catamarans is described as "according to the official price list", but the box fare is not surfaced on its public FAQ or per-line pricing pages; it is generated as a quote on request by the local sales office.

Pet policy on the Italy lines (Ancona-Split, Ancona-Zadar, Bari-Dubrovnik)

From the FAQ "Frequently asked questions, international routes":

• Live animals are not allowed on board except for pets (dogs, cats, birds).
• Owners must hold a valid vaccination certificate and any other required travel documents.
• Dogs must wear a muzzle (except service dogs).
• Pets are not allowed inside indoor passenger areas: restaurants, lounges, restrooms, or airline-style seating.
• Pets are allowed in cabins on the international ships.
• Service dogs are permitted in all passenger areas.
• Transport of pets is free of charge on international lines.

Croatian and English FAQ comparison

The Croatian and English FAQ pages were compared word-for-word on the pet question on both the local-lines and international-lines sections. The substantive content is identical: 8 kg, 45 x 35 x 25 cm, waterproof base, one carrier per passenger, larger pets on the open deck for ferries or in pre-booked boxes on catamarans, free of charge on local lines, cabin access on international lines, muzzle and leash, captain's discretion. No discrepancy to flag.

Booking process

• Foot passengers and small-carrier pets: standard online flow on jadrolinija.hr or via the mJadrolinija app. The pet itself does not need a separate ticket on local lines or international lines (pet transport is free of charge).
• Vehicle tickets: standard online flow; declare vehicle dimensions accurately. Pets travelling in the car simply travel with the vehicle. The owner walks the dog off the car deck once vehicle loading is complete and takes it on deck.
• Catamaran pet box (dog over 8 kg): email a Jadrolinija sales office (selling-spots page on jadrolinija.hr) to reserve the box and receive a fare offer. Cannot be booked through the public web form.
• International lines (Italy): check-in at the port agency opens 2 hours before departure; ID, vehicle registration, and pet documents must be ready.

Routes and 2026 fares (selected domestic)

Domestic foot-passenger fares for the routes most often travelled with a pet, pulled from the 2026 per-line PDFs on the Jadrolinija site and cross-checked against the per-line tables mirrored on putovnica.net:

• Brestova-Porozina (line 334, mainland to Cres): adult foot passenger EUR 4.40 year-round. Pet transport free; dog on open deck only.
• Valbiska-Merag (line 332, Krk to Cres): adult foot passenger EUR 4.40 year-round. Pet transport free; dog on open deck only.
• Split-Supetar (line 631, mainland to Brač): adult foot passenger approx. EUR 4.40 low season and EUR 6.50 high season (29 May to 27 September 2026), with the standard car (under 5 m, under 2 m height) at approx. EUR 18.20 low and EUR 26.10 high. Pet transport free; dog on open deck.
• Zadar-Preko passenger ship (line 409): adult foot passenger up to EUR 3.45 in high season. Pet transport free. Important: line 409 is the passenger-only ship from Zadar's old-town quay; the parallel car ferry to Preko (line 431) departs from Gaženica and is the one for vehicles.
• Drvenik-Sućuraj (line 632, mainland to Hvar): adult foot passenger up to EUR 3.99 in high season, on a 35-minute crossing. Pet transport free; on open deck.

Jadrolinija publishes the 2026 per-line fares as PDFs from each line's travel page (for example jadrolinija.hr/en/travel/valbiska_krk_-_merag_cres, then "Prices 2026"). The figures above were cross-checked against the per-line PDFs mirrored on putovnica.net. They are accurate to the day of research; the operator's own line page is the legally controlling source and worth a final check before booking.

Italy crossings, 2026 status

• Ancona-Split (line 53): operates 2026. Jadrolinija publishes a confirmed 2026 schedule with regular Split departures at 20:00 and Ancona departures at 19:45. Operated by Jadrolinija's Marko Polo and Dalmacija class vessels.
• Ancona-Zadar (line 51): operates seasonally in 2026 from mid-June onward.
• Bari-Dubrovnik (line 54): runs in 2026. Operated by the flagship Dalmacija on a seasonal schedule from 31 March to 21 October 2026. Last departure from Dubrovnik in 2026 is 21 October 2026.
• Split-Bari (line 56): operated as a seasonal once-weekly link in 2026, with the sailing day shifting by season.

Italy-line foot-passenger fares vary widely by season, accommodation choice, and booking timing; Jadrolinija publishes them dynamically through the booking engine rather than as a flat table. Pet transport on the international lines is free of charge; the cost the owner controls is the accommodation upgrade, and on overnight crossings a pet-allowed cabin is the genuinely material question rather than the pet ticket itself.

Boarding procedure (sourced)

Per Jadrolinija's FAQ, dogs board through the foot-passenger gangway or remain in the vehicle through car-deck loading. Muzzle and leash apply from the terminal door onward. Pets are not permitted in indoor passenger spaces on domestic ferries; on international ships they are not permitted in restaurants, lounges, restrooms or airline-style reclining-seat halls, but they are permitted in cabins.

2. Krilo / Kapetan Luka (fast catamaran network)#

Krilo runs the dominant fast-catamaran network between Split, the central Dalmatian islands, and Dubrovnik. The fleet is foot-passenger only: no car decks on any Krilo vessel.

Pet policy

From the Krilo FAQ and the per-route policy text repeated on each line page:

• Pets are accepted only if they do not present danger or disturbance to passengers or the vessel; the owner accepts travel risk and liability for damage.
• Dogs must be muzzled (except guide dogs for blind passengers) and on a leash; cats in boxes; birds in cages. Dogs and cats must have valid vaccination documents.
• Small pets in the catamaran salon: transported only in a soft carrier with maximum dimensions 45 x 35 x 25 cm, waterproof base, total weight (carrier + pet) maximum 8 kg. The carrier must stay under the seat or on the lap. One carrier per passenger. Ticket price: 50 percent of the adult fare.
• Larger pets: allowed only if the vessel meets the technical conditions, i.e. has a dedicated cage on the open deck. Ticket price: 100 percent of the adult fare.

Croatian and English FAQ comparison

Krilo's EN and HR FAQ pages carry the same numeric thresholds (8 kg, 45 x 35 x 25 cm) and the same fee structure (50 percent small, 100 percent large). No substantive discrepancy was found between the EN page and the HR version. No discrepancy to flag.

Exact 2026 fares on the Split-Dubrovnik corridor

Krilo's 2026 published adult one-way fares on the marquee Split-Hvar-Korčula-Mljet-Dubrovnik corridor, operating daily from 1 April to 31 October 2026:

• Split to Brač (Milna): EUR 10
• Split to Hvar: EUR 25
• Split to Korčula: EUR 30
• Split to Mljet (Pomena): EUR 30
• Split to Dubrovnik: EUR 50
• Dubrovnik to Mljet (Pomena): EUR 20
• Dubrovnik to Korčula: EUR 25
• Dubrovnik to Hvar: EUR 50

Pet fares are calculated against these adult fares: 50 percent for a small carrier pet, 100 percent for a larger pet in an open-deck cage. Worked example: Split to Dubrovnik with a 6 kg dog in a 45 x 35 x 25 cm carrier is EUR 50 (passenger) + EUR 25 (dog at 50 percent) = EUR 75 one way. Split to Dubrovnik with a 25 kg dog in an open-deck cage (subject to availability) is EUR 50 + EUR 50 = EUR 100 one way.

Vessel availability matters. Whether a specific Krilo vessel actually has an open-deck cage on a given sailing is not displayed on the per-route page. For a dog over 8 kg, confirm by email with Krilo's sales contacts before booking.

Booking process

Krilo tickets are sold online at krilo.hr or via authorised resellers, at sales points in ports, and, where capacity remains, on board immediately before departure. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure at starting ports; at intermediate stops boarding starts as soon as arriving passengers disembark. The small-carrier pet ticket can be added in the standard online booking flow. The open-deck cage option is not always exposed in the online flow and may require email confirmation that the specific sailing has a cage and that it is free.

Boarding procedure (sourced)

Per Krilo's terms, the dog enters the lounge only inside the dimensions and weight-compliant soft carrier, kept under the seat or in the owner's lap. Dogs that travel in an open-deck cage on permitted vessels are loaded by crew and are not in the lounge area. Vaccination documents must accompany the pet. Outside the carrier, dogs must be muzzled and on a leash from the terminal onward.

3. SNAV (Ancona-Split, Italy operator)#

SNAV operates the seasonal Ancona-Split overnight, traditionally with vessels of the Aurelia class. Its general transport conditions for the Croatia, Aeolian and Pontine routes were last updated on 2 October 2025 and are the operative version for the 2026 season.

Pet policy

From Article 9 ("Pets") of the SNAV Transport Conditions:

• Pets (cats, dogs and others) are permitted on cruise ferries. All pets must hold a valid passage ticket, a veterinary certificate attesting good health, and have completed prophylaxis against external parasites. Dogs must be registered with the canine registry.
• Pets must be transported either in the on-board kennel or in dedicated pet cabins (maximum two animals per cabin).
• It is forbidden for passengers to keep dogs in non-pet cabins or in common indoor areas. In a pet cabin, if the master is absent, the dog must be transferred to the kennel: dogs may not be left in a cabin unattended.
• Walks are restricted to the dedicated external area, with leash and muzzle.
• Guide dogs for visually impaired passengers and Civil Protection dogs with valid certification are permitted in the ship's interior areas.
• Owner liability for damage; SNAV expressly disclaims liability for veterinary-authority seizures, escape, loss or death except for proven wilful misconduct or negligence of the carrier.
• The Italian Ministry of Health Ordinance of 27 August 2004 (muzzle and leash for dogs in public places and on means of transport) is incorporated by reference.

Dedicated pet cabins on SNAV's Ancona-Split service have historically been a distinguishing feature versus Jadrolinija's older fleet and remain in the 2025-dated general conditions carried into 2026.

Italian and English conditions of transport comparison

SNAV publishes its Conditions of Transport in IT, EN, DE, FR and HR. The English version was compared against the Italian original and the substantive content on pets (Article 9) is materially identical. The Croatian version is reachable from the same language switcher. No substantive discrepancy to flag on pet rules.

Exact 2026 fares

Fee structure only. SNAV's general conditions state that all pets must hold a passage ticket, but the pet fare and the supplement for a dedicated pet cabin are surfaced only inside the SNAV booking flow at snav.it once the route, date and accommodation are selected; they are not published as a stand-alone tariff sheet. Expect the pet to appear as a paid line item alongside the passenger fare and any cabin upgrade. Confirm the figures on the booking-summary screen before payment.

Booking process

• Tickets bought online at snav.it, by phone via the SNAV Contact Center, through travel agents, or at the Ancona or Split port ticket offices.
• For Ancona-Split, check-in opens 3 hours before departure and passengers must report at least 3 hours before sailing time. For travel with a pet, allow more buffer for the document check.
• Pet documents are checked at boarding; absence of a current vaccination certificate or non-registration of a dog with the Italian canine anagrafe can be grounds for refusal.

Boarding procedure (sourced)

Per SNAV Article 9, dogs board with leash and muzzle; in transit the dog is in either the on-board kennel or its dedicated pet cabin; the owner cannot leave the dog alone in the cabin (if the owner leaves, the dog must go to the kennel). Walks are restricted to the designated external deck area, on leash and muzzle.

4. TP Line (Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar corridors)#

TP Line is the Zadar-based catamaran operator that absorbed G&V Line's Dubrovnik operation in 2021 (the catamaran Nona Ana, for example, is now part of the TP Line fleet). For 2026, TP Line operates the seasonal commercial line Dubrovnik-Korčula-Hvar-Milna-Split from 1 April, plus several state-subsidised fast passenger lines including Split-Hvar-Korčula (Vela Luka)-Lastovo (Ubli), line 9604.

Pet policy

From TP Line's published Company Policy and FAQ:

• Pets are accepted only if they do not present danger or disturbance to passengers or vessel.
• Dogs must be muzzled (except service dogs) and kept on a leash. Cats in boxes; birds in cages.
• Small pets in the salon: soft carrier only, maximum 45 x 35 x 25 cm, waterproof base, carrier + pet weight maximum 8 kg. Kept under the seat or on the lap; one per passenger.
• Larger pets: allowed only when the vessel has the technical conditions (open-deck boxes). These must be reserved and are charged. For state line 9604, TP Line publishes that "when technical conditions on board are met (special boxes), pet transport is charged at 50 percent of the ticket price".
• Vessels are air-conditioned and passengers may not go to the open deck during voyages on TP Line catamarans: the implication is that the open-deck box is genuinely separate from the lounge.

Croatian and English policy comparison

TP Line's company-policy page and FAQ were compared against the Croatian-language equivalents on the same site. The numeric thresholds (8 kg, 45 x 35 x 25 cm) and the fee structure (50 percent in deck box on state lines) match. No substantive discrepancy to flag.

Exact 2026 fares (selected)

• Split to Hvar (Town), state line 9604, summer 29 May to 27 September 2026: adult EUR 10.
• Split to Vela Luka (Korčula), state line 9604, summer: adult EUR 11.
• Pet in deck box on line 9604: 50 percent of the adult ticket price for the same segment (EUR 5 for Split-Hvar; EUR 5.50 for Split-Vela Luka).
• Small pet in carrier in the salon, line 9604: the operator does not publish a separate pet fee for the in-salon under-8-kg carrier on this line and presents the rule as a condition of carriage rather than a ticketed line item.

On the seasonal commercial Dubrovnik-Korčula-Hvar-Milna-Split line operated by TP Line from 1 April 2026, segment fares are published on TP Line's web shop. Confirm the exact segment fare before applying the 50 percent pet calculation, since commercial lines and state-subsidised state lines have different tariff structures.

Booking process

• Online at tp-line.hr (web and mobile app). TP Line is the only Croatian operator to publish Apple Pay and Google Pay support, plus an on-site chat bot.
• TP Line does not offer seat reservations: all tickets are valid for the specific line and departure for which they were purchased, but seating is free choice on board.
• For larger pets in deck boxes, contact TP Line customer support before booking to confirm a box is available on the assigned vessel.

Boarding procedure (sourced)

Per TP Line's FAQ, passengers must stay inside the air-conditioned salon during the voyage; the open deck is not a public area on TP Line vessels. A small-carrier dog therefore stays under the owner's seat or on the lap inside the lounge throughout; a larger dog in a deck box is loaded by crew and not accessible during the sailing. Muzzle and leash apply during boarding and disembarkation.

5. G&V Line and G&V Line Iadera#

Status in 2026: the Dubrovnik-based G&V Line, originally founded in 1994, was acquired by TP Line in 2021. Its former vessels and Dubrovnik-region catamaran lines are now operated under the TP Line brand and rules (see Section 4). The remaining standalone entity is G&V Line Iadera, a 2013 Zadar spin-off that operates state passenger ship line 614 Orebić-Korčula plus seasonal commercial services from Zadar.

Pet policy (G&V Line Iadera)

The historic G&V Line pet policy follows the same Croatian template: pets accepted only if not endangering or disturbing other passengers or the vessel; dogs muzzled and on a leash (except guide dogs); cats in boxes; birds in cages; vaccination documents required; owner responsible for feeding and any damage; carrier disclaims responsibility for injury during transport.

Fee structure only. G&V Line Iadera does not publish a stand-alone pet tariff on its own website; confirm pet pricing at the time of online booking or via the on-board ticket window. The legacy guidance on these state catamaran lines was that tickets for some segments are sold only at the boat on the day of sailing, often in cash where pre-purchase is not available. This is unusual versus the rest of the market and worth checking on the day.

Booking process

For state line 614 (Orebić-Korčula): ticket on board or via authorised agents. For Zadar-region seasonal catamaran services: the G&V Line Iadera webshop. For all former G&V Line Dubrovnik-area lines, see TP Line in Section 4.

6. GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci): Italy-Croatia status for 2026#

GNV does not operate a scheduled Italy-Croatia passenger ferry in 2026. GNV's own 2026 route map shows services to Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Albania, with the Balearic Islands as a separate group. The historic association between SNAV and GNV (including occasional GNV vessels appearing on the Ancona-Split charter rota) has not translated into a publicly bookable GNV-branded Croatia service for 2026. If a reseller site shows "GNV" on the Ancona-Split route for 2026, the underlying sailing is a SNAV service on a chartered ex-GNV hull. The contracting carrier is SNAV and SNAV's pet rules apply (Section 3).

No pet pricing is published for GNV on a Croatia route in 2026 because no such route is sold.

Route-by-route quick reference (2026)#

| Route | Operator | Foot-passenger pet fare | Pet with vehicle | Reservation needed for pet? | Season | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Brestova-Porozina (mainland to Cres) | Jadrolinija (line 334) | Free, dog on open deck | Free, pet in car during loading then on open deck | No | Year-round | | Valbiska-Merag (Krk to Cres) | Jadrolinija (line 332) | Free, open deck | Free, open deck | No | Year-round | | Split-Supetar car ferry (mainland to Brač) | Jadrolinija (line 631) | Free, open deck | Free, open deck | No | Year-round | | Split-Supetar fast catamaran | Krilo / Kapetan Luka | 50% of adult fare if under 8 kg in 45x35x25 cm carrier; 100% if larger pet in deck cage | N/A (no car deck) | Yes for deck cage; small carrier added in online flow | Year-round, seasonal frequency | | Zadar-Preko passenger ship | Jadrolinija (line 409) | Free | N/A on line 409 (use line 431 car ferry for vehicles) | No | Year-round | | Drvenik-Sućuraj (mainland to Hvar) | Jadrolinija (line 632) | Free, open deck | Free, open deck | No | Year-round | | Split-Hvar-Korčula-Dubrovnik catamaran | Krilo / Kapetan Luka | 50% adult fare in carrier; 100% in deck cage | N/A | Yes for deck cage | 1 April to 31 October 2026 | | Split-Hvar-Korčula-Lastovo state line 9604 | TP Line | 50% adult fare in deck box; under 8 kg in carrier in salon under operator conditions | N/A | Yes for deck box | Year-round (state line) | | Dubrovnik-Korčula-Hvar-Milna-Split commercial | TP Line | As above; segment fare x 50% for deck box | N/A | Yes for deck box | 1 April 2026 onward | | Ancona-Split (Italy to Croatia) | SNAV | Pet ticket required + kennel or pet cabin upgrade (fare in booking flow) | Pet allowed in vehicle on car deck only during loading; must travel in kennel or pet cabin during voyage | Yes, pet cabin must be selected at booking | Seasonal, typically late April to October | | Ancona-Split | Jadrolinija (line 53) | Free; pet allowed in cabin (not lounges or restaurants); muzzle and leash | Free; pet stays in cabin (recommended), not allowed to remain in vehicle during voyage | Cabin booking recommended for pets | Year-round, seasonal frequency | | Ancona-Zadar | Jadrolinija (line 51) | Free; same international-line rules | Free; same | Cabin booking recommended | Seasonal (typically June to September) | | Bari-Dubrovnik | Jadrolinija (line 54) | Free; same international-line rules; vessel Dalmacija | Free; same | Cabin booking recommended | Seasonal; last 2026 departure ex-Dubrovnik 21 October 2026 | | Italy to Croatia | GNV | Not applicable: GNV does not operate a 2026 Italy-Croatia route | --- | --- | --- |

Frequently asked questions#

Can I bring my dog into the cabin on the Ancona-Split overnight?

Yes on Jadrolinija: pets are explicitly permitted in cabins on international ships, though not in restaurants, lounges, restrooms, or airline-style seat halls. Yes on SNAV, but only in a dedicated pet cabin, maximum two animals per cabin, and the dog cannot be left alone (it must be moved to the on-board kennel if the owner leaves the cabin). Book the pet cabin in the booking flow; standard cabins do not accept pets.

Does Jadrolinija require a muzzle on the car deck?

Per the FAQ, dogs on the ship must wear a muzzle (except assistance dogs) and be on a leash. Passengers may not remain in the garage during a voyage on the international lines, so on those routes the dog is walked up to the cabin or to the open deck after vehicle loading. The muzzle rule applies from the terminal entrance onward.

Are pets free on short Croatian crossings?

Yes on Jadrolinija ferry and passenger-ship lines: transport of pets is free of charge. The 8 kg / 45 x 35 x 25 cm carrier rule applies on catamarans, where pets in the salon are also free; larger pets on Jadrolinija catamarans require a paid open-deck box (fee on request from the local sales office). On Krilo catamarans pets are charged 50 percent of the adult fare in a soft carrier and 100 percent for a larger pet in an open-deck cage. On TP Line state line 9604 a larger pet in an open-deck box is charged 50 percent of the adult fare.

Is the Bari-Dubrovnik ferry still running in 2026?

Yes. Jadrolinija line 54, operated by the Dalmacija, is published for 2026 from 31 March to 21 October. The last departure from Dubrovnik in 2026 is on 21 October 2026.

Does GNV run any Italy-Croatia ferry in 2026?

No. GNV's 2026 network covers Sicily, Sardinia, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Albania and the Balearics. Reseller sites that list "GNV" on Ancona-Split for 2026 are showing SNAV-branded sailings on chartered hulls. Book through SNAV and apply SNAV's pet rules.

My dog is 10 kg. Can it travel in the salon on a Jadrolinija catamaran?

No. The 8 kg ceiling is the combined carrier and pet weight. For a 10 kg dog, email the local Jadrolinija sales office to reserve and pay for a box on the open deck. If no box is available on the sailing, take a conventional car ferry instead: pets are free on those and the dog can be on the open deck on a leash and muzzle.

Do Croatian operators check the EU pet passport at boarding?

On the Italy international lines, yes. Jadrolinija requires vaccination documents and SNAV requires veterinary certification, anti-parasite treatment and canine-registry registration. On purely domestic Croatian lines, operators retain the right to ask for documents and to refuse a pet that poses a risk; spot checks happen but are not systematic. Carry the EU pet passport regardless.

Are brachycephalic breeds (pugs, French bulldogs and similar) restricted on Croatian ferries?

None of the operators above (Jadrolinija, Krilo, SNAV, TP Line) publishes a brachycephalic restriction in their 2026 pet rules. Croatia Airlines does restrict short-nosed breeds in the aircraft hold for animal-welfare reasons, but that does not apply to ferries.

Are service or assistance dogs handled differently?

Yes, on all four major operators. Jadrolinija exempts assistance dogs from the muzzle requirement and permits them in all passenger areas on international lines. Krilo and TP Line exempt guide dogs for blind passengers from the muzzle rule. SNAV permits guide dogs and Civil Protection dogs on duty in the ship's interior with valid certification.

Can I leave my dog in the car on the Italy overnight ferries?

No. Passengers are not allowed onto the garage deck during the voyage on Jadrolinija's international lines for safety reasons. The dog must come up to the cabin or stay in the on-board kennel. SNAV restates the same prohibition. On short domestic car-ferry crossings under about 45 minutes (Drvenik-Sućuraj, Valbiska-Merag, Brestova-Porozina), dogs commonly stay in the car with the owner walking up briefly. The formal rule of no passengers on the car deck during the voyage applies on all routes.

Caveats#

• Schedules change. Jadrolinija explicitly states that it guarantees data accuracy only on its own website and that timetables are subject to change. Re-check the sailing on the operator's own page within 72 hours of departure, especially in October and November when seasonal services taper.
• Per-line PDFs are the authoritative price source. Each Jadrolinija line page carries a "Prices 2026" PDF link; that PDF is the legally controlling fare document. Third-party mirrors (including putovnica.net's 2026 timetables, which were cross-referenced for this article) update from the same PDFs but can lag.
• The Jadrolinija catamaran pet-box fee is not surfaced publicly. Owners of dogs over 8 kg planning to use a Jadrolinija catamaran must email the local sales office for a fare offer; the public site does not display a flat figure.
• SNAV's pet ticket and pet-cabin upgrade are inside the booking flow. Expect to see the pet as a charged line item; the general conditions require a pet ticket but do not publish a flat tariff.
• Reseller sites are not the operator. Direct Ferries, Ferryhopper, FerryScanner, Omio, NetFerry and Ferries.com all aggregate Croatian and Italian operators. Their pet-rule summaries are informative, but the legally controlling text is the operator's own pet policy and general conditions, and that is what this article cites.
• TP Line absorbed G&V Line in 2021. If a 2026 booking flow on a reseller offers a "G&V Line" catamaran from Dubrovnik, the underlying service is operated by TP Line under TP Line rules.
• Croatian law on dangerous breeds is operator-applied at the gangway. An operator may refuse a dog it judges a risk to other passengers, even with full documentation. If travelling with a listed breed, contact the operator in writing before booking.

Related guides#

For paperwork details before the ferry, see bringing your pet to Croatia, the EU pet passport for Croatia, and the country-of-origin guides for the USA and the UK. For the alternative overland route into Croatia, see driving to Croatia with a pet. For what to do once on the islands, the pet-friendly Istria regional guide is the deepest published so far.

Sources and references#

Note on pet ticket reservations: Jadrolinija's catamaran pet-box requires email to the local sales office. SNAV's pet ticket and dedicated pet cabin must be selected during the snav.it booking flow. Krilo's small-carrier pet ticket can be added in the standard online flow, but the open-deck cage option may require email confirmation. TP Line's small-carrier rule on the state lines is a condition of carriage rather than a paid line item; the larger-pet deck box is a paid line item at 50 percent of the adult fare. All fees and rules in this article are accurate to the time of writing and were verified against the operators' own 2026 published pages.