Flying to Croatia with a pet: airline comparison 2026

The single biggest planning mistake we see people make with pet-friendly Croatia trips is booking the flight first and checking the pet policy second. By then they have already picked a Ryanair connection, or a Saturday Wizz Air flight, and the answer they get from customer service is simple: no. Your pet cannot come.

This guide covers every carrier operating routes to Croatia with an honest, source-verified breakdown of what each allows. No summaries copied from aggregator sites. Rules are pulled directly from each airline's official policy pages and are current as of May 2026.

The one rule that covers half the market#

Before the airline-by-airline breakdown, this matters:

Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air (including Wizz Air Malta) carry no pets, not in the cabin, not in the hold, except certified assistance dogs with official accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI), Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK), or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). Emotional Support Animals are explicitly refused.

These three carriers together account for the largest share of seats into Croatian airports. They fly into Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb, Zadar, Pula and Rijeka. If your routing involves any of these three airlines on any segment, your pet cannot travel on that routing.

There is no workaround and no upgrade to a different ticket class that changes this. The ban applies to the aircraft.

Airlines that allow cabin pets to Croatia#

The cabin-pet standard across European carriers has converged on one number: 8 kg combined weight (pet plus carrier). Soft carriers with a maximum sum of three dimensions of approximately 115 to 118 cm are the general standard. There are individual variations (Volotea allows 10 kg, ITA allows 12 kg domestic only), and exceptions are noted below.

Croatia Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max sum of three dimensions 118 cm on the general "Animals" page, 115 cm referenced on the brachycephalic-specific section. Treat 118 cm as the live general limit. Network: Zagreb (ZAG), Split (SPU), Dubrovnik (DBV), Pula (PUY), Zadar (ZAD), Osijek (OSI) and European destinations. Fee: 40 euro per leg (promotional rate, valid 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2026); 50 euro per leg standard international Europe rate; 32 euro plus 25% VAT domestic Croatia; 70 euro international outside Europe. Hold: Available for larger pets in IATA-approved kennels. Within Europe: 100 euro medium (80 by 55 by 55 cm) or 200 euro large (125 by 75 by 85 cm). Large-container hold transport available only on A319/A320/A220 aircraft. From 2025/26, animals where pet plus container total weight exceeds 18 kg require CR1 or CR82 metal/wood/composite kennels, standard hard-plastic Petmate/VariKennel-style crates are not accepted at that weight class. Route restrictions: Croatia to UK: not transported. UK to Croatia: transported, except London Gatwick. Ireland to Croatia hold transport not available; Croatia to Ireland hold available. Pet transport on flights OU4001/OU4002 currently suspended. Brachycephalic breeds: Allowed in cabin within the 8 kg limit using a hard-sided carrier up to 45 by 35 by 25 cm (and within 115 cm summed). Banned from the hold. The official breed list includes: Affenpinscher; Bulldog (all breeds except American); Pug (all breeds); American Pit Bull Terrier; American Staffordshire Terrier; Boston Terrier; Boxer; Brussels Griffon; Bull Mastiff; Bull Terrier; Chow Chow; English Toy Spaniel; Japanese Chin; Japanese Spaniel; Lhasa Apso; Pekingese; Pit Bull; Shar Pei; Shih Tzu; Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Cats: British Shorthair; Exotic Shorthair; Himalayan; Persian; Scottish Fold. Fighting-breed CR82 rule: American Bulldog, Caucasian Ovcharka, Dogo Argentino, Karabash (Kangal), Rottweiler, and Doberman require an IATA CR82 container regardless of weight. Maximum pets per flight: Normally 2, increased to 3 during the 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2026 promotional period. Booking: Not bookable online for most routes. Call Croatia Airlines reservations, the Contact Center, or email contact@croatiaairlines.hr.

Lufthansa

Cabin: Yes, small dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Croatia routes: Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Zadar and Rijeka. 2026 update (important): In April 2026, Lufthansa announced the closure of its CityLine subsidiary, which had been operating most Munich and Frankfurt regional flights to Croatia. Significant suspensions and cancellations of Munich-to-Croatia regional flights are in effect through summer 2026. Munich-Rijeka has been removed entirely. Lufthansa-mainline operations to Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and Zadar are continuing but the route map is in flux through summer 2026, confirm specific routes on lufthansa.com before booking. Fee: Approximately 55 euro German domestic; 70 to 100 euro most European flights; 110 to 160 euro long international (Lufthansa directs customers to its fee calculator rather than publishing a fixed table). Advance booking: Must be registered at least 72 hours before departure via lufthansa.com or call centre. Online registration is available via "My bookings" except on USA flights. Minimum pet age: 12 weeks generally; 15 weeks for flights into Germany. Brachycephalic breeds: Allowed in cabin if under 8 kg. Banned from the hold since January 2020. Lufthansa Cargo LH05 kennel rule: From 1 March 2026, Lufthansa Cargo accepts only LH05-compliant kennels (wood or steel frame, solid or plywood side walls; all-metal kennels not accepted) for restricted-breed bookings via Lufthansa Cargo. Standard small-pet hold travel is not affected by this requirement.

KLM

Cabin: Yes, one dog or cat, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 46 by 28 by 24 cm. Croatia routes: Amsterdam (AMS) to Zagreb (twice daily), Split (twice daily), and Dubrovnik (doubled to twice-daily for the 2026 summer season starting 29 March 2026, Embraer E195-E2 and B737-800 mix). KLM's Croatia gateway page also lists Zadar (operated as codeshare/seasonal). Fee: Route-variable, 70 to 500 euro per one-way flight, confirmed at booking. Minimum pet age: 15 weeks. Route restrictions: KLM does not transport pets to the UK on any route. No cabin pets in Premium Comfort or intercontinental Business class. Brachycephalic breeds: Allowed in cabin within weight limit. Boston Terrier, Pug, English Bulldog and French Bulldog cannot fly in the hold or as cargo on KLM. Booking: Self-service via "My Trip" online up to 48 hours before departure, the most streamlined self-service flow on this list. Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings and LOT also support online pet add-on; Croatia Airlines, Air France and ITA Airways generally require a phone call.

Air France

Cabin: Yes, one dog or cat per passenger, up to 8 kg combined; soft bags only (hard crates not accepted, the rule has been in place since at least 6 November 2017). Carrier dimensions: Soft bag, max 46 by 28 by 24 cm. Croatia routes summer 2026: Paris CDG to Zagreb up to 14 weekly in July/August (11 weekly during peak); CDG to Dubrovnik 3 weekly in May/June/September and 11 weekly in July/August (expansion from 2 weekly in 2025). Fee: 70 euro within metropolitan France; 125 euro within Europe or between Europe and North Africa; 200 euro long-haul/other routes. Minimum pet age: 15 weeks for international flights (8 weeks for domestic France/Corsica/Guadeloupe/Martinique/Réunion). Cabin class: Not permitted in Business cabin on intercontinental routes. Restricted breeds: Category 1 dogs (pit bull-type without pedigree, mastiffs, tosas) totally prohibited. Category 2 dogs (pedigree Staffordshire, American Staffordshire, Tosa, plus Rottweiler-morphology dogs) hold-only via Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo. Booking: Requires Customer Service approval, no longer bookable purely online (confirmed May 2026).

Eurowings

Cabin: Yes, small dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Carrier dimensions: Soft, leak-proof, bite-proof bag, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Croatia routes: Serves Dubrovnik (DBV), Pula (PUY), Rijeka (RJK), Split (SPU), Zadar (ZAD), Zagreb (ZAG). Fee: From 60 euro per segment (also published as £53, 56 CHF, $69 on the Eurowings site). Hold: Not available, Eurowings carries pets in cabin only on short- and medium-haul flights. Route restrictions: Does not carry pets to/from UK, Ireland, Marsa Alam (RMF), Keflavik (KEF). Dubai is also restricted (assistance dogs the only exception). Restricted breeds: Category-1 fighting dogs, pit bulls and Staffordshire bull terriers, not accepted. For Staffordshire-cross or American Bully-type dogs, contact assistance@eurowings.com before booking.

ITA Airways

Cabin: Dogs and cats only, effective 1 December 2025 (no ferrets, household birds, or other species after that date). Minimum age 3 months. Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier. Domestic Italy: 40 (L) by 30 (W) by 24 (H) cm. International and intercontinental: 40 (L) by 20 (W) by 24 (H) cm. Cabin weight (per ITA's official page): 12 kg domestic Italy; 8 kg international, including the Croatia route. Some third-party guides cite 10 kg international, this is outdated; treat 8 kg as the authoritative international cabin limit. Croatia routes: Rome FCO to Split (seasonal summer service). Fee: 73 euro domestic Italy (with 59 euro promotional on selected Sicily routes); 95 euro Europe and most North Africa; 100 euro Egypt/Israel/Lebanon/Jordan/Senegal/Ghana; 210 euro North America/India/Maldives; 230 euro South America/Japan. Brachycephalic ban from hold: In effect from 26 October 2025. Summer 2026 "Large Pet Friendly" service: ITA announced a 30 kg cabin pet allowance for selected domestic Italy flights summer 2026, ENAC-approved. Final operational details still pending and not yet published on ITA Airways' main pet-policy pages, call ITA to confirm before booking. Does not apply to Croatia routes.

LOT Polish Airlines

Cabin: Dogs, cats, and ferrets, up to 8 kg combined (pet plus carrier). Ferrets not permitted on flights to Canada (cats and dogs only). Carrier dimensions: 55 by 40 by 20 cm on B787 and B737 aircraft; 45 by 30 by 20 cm on DH4, E70, E75, E90 and E95 aircraft. Croatia routes: Warsaw (WAW) to Zagreb (seasonal); Warsaw to Split (seasonal). Fee (cabin): 280 PLN / 65 EUR / 70 USD short-haul Europe and Middle East; 465 PLN / 100 EUR long-haul (US/Canada/East Asia). Fee (hold): 280 PLN domestic; 150 EUR Europe and Middle East; 290 EUR USA/Canada/China/Japan. Minimum pet age: 3 months, with rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel. Brachycephalic breeds: Banned from hold; allowed in cabin within 8 kg limit (including crossbreeds).

Austrian Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm (Lufthansa Group standard). Croatia routes: Vienna (VIE) to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka. Booking: Online via "My Bookings" except for USA flights. Lufthansa Group breed and brachycephalic rules apply.

SWISS

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm (sum of dimensions 118 cm). Croatia routes: Zurich (ZRH) to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka. Brachycephalic breeds: Cabin only (banned in hold). No cabin pets in long-haul Business class.

Brussels Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Croatia routes: Brussels (BRU) to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik (mostly seasonal). Capacity: 4 pet containers max per flight. Booking: Via "My Booking" online or service centre. Route restrictions: Pets banned in cabin to UK and Kenya.

Turkish Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs, cats and small birds, up to 8 kg combined (no birds on international flights). Carrier dimensions: 40 by 30 by 23 cm. Hard-sided carriers permitted (one of the few European carriers that allows hard cabin carriers). Croatia routes: Istanbul (IST) to Zagreb, Dubrovnik (seasonal, winter service ended October 2025; resumes 29 March 2026), Split, Pula. Brachycephalic breeds: Accepted in cabin only. Route restrictions: No pets at all to UK final destinations.

Pegasus Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Carrier dimensions: 50 by 32 by 32 cm, sum of dimensions max 115 cm. Croatia routes: Sabiha Gokcen Istanbul (SAW) to Zagreb and other Croatian airports seasonally. Route restrictions: No pets to UK, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ireland. No birds on international flights.

Transavia

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Carrier dimensions: 40 by 30 by 24 cm. Croatia routes: Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris Orly (ORY) to Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula (mostly seasonal summer service). Fee: HV-flights 50 euro; TO-flights 60 to 180 euro depending on route. Route restrictions: No pets to/from UK, Iceland, UAE.

SAS Scandinavian Airlines

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Carrier dimensions: Soft carrier, max 40 by 25 by 23 cm. Croatia routes: Copenhagen (CPH), Stockholm (ARN), Oslo (OSL) to Split and Dubrovnik (mostly seasonal or codeshare). Fee: 75 euro within Europe. Brachycephalic breeds: Bulldogs, Pugs and Pekingese banned from hold from January 2024. No cabin pets in Business class on long-haul.

Finnair

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 8 kg combined. Rabbits, tortoises and hedgehogs also allowed in cabin from EU origins; ferrets hold only. Carrier dimensions: 55 by 40 by 23 cm on Finnair mainline; 55 by 40 by 20 cm on Norra-operated regional flights. Croatia routes: Helsinki (HEL) to Split and Dubrovnik (seasonal). Fee: 60 euro short-haul.

Volotea

Cabin: Yes, dogs and cats, up to 10 kg combined (the highest cabin allowance among carriers serving Croatia, useful for slightly larger small dogs). Carrier dimensions: 50 by 40 by 20 cm. Croatia routes: Multiple French, Italian and Greek bases to Split (SPU), Zadar (ZAD), Dubrovnik (DBV), seasonal summer service. Fee: 39 euro online / 60 euro at airport. Capacity: Maximum 5 pets per flight.

British Airways: cabin closed, hold only#

Cabin pets: Not permitted on any BA route, no exceptions except certified assistance dogs from ADI- or IGDF-affiliated training organisations. Hold transport: Available via PetAir UK (outbound, UK to Croatia) and IAG Cargo (inbound, Croatia to UK). Fees not published as standard rates, case-by-case. Croatia routes: London Heathrow (LHR) to Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split. LHR-Pula has historically been seasonal (summer-only), the route has fluctuated between BA Heathrow and BA EuroFlyer from Gatwick in recent seasons; confirm current operation on ba.com before booking. Brachycephalic breeds: Subject to individual assessment via IAG Cargo. Temperature-based restrictions apply, hot-season refusals possible. Minimum-container-size requirements are 10% larger than standard.

Pets returning into the UK: a regulatory note#

For travellers flying into the UK with a pet, no airline allows cabin or hold accompanied pet travel. Only IAG Cargo (handling BA, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL) and TUI Cargo handle UK inbound pets. This is a UK regulatory matter, not an airline-specific rule, and applies to every carrier in this article. Plan the return leg accordingly.

Carrier dimensions cheat sheet#

• Croatia Airlines: Soft carrier, sum of dimensions max 118 cm; 8 kg
• Lufthansa: 55 by 40 by 23 cm; 8 kg
• KLM: 46 by 28 by 24 cm; 8 kg
• Air France: 46 by 28 by 24 cm; 8 kg
• Eurowings: 55 by 40 by 23 cm; 8 kg
• ITA Airways: 40 by 20 by 24 cm international (40 by 30 by 24 cm domestic); 8 kg international, 12 kg domestic
• LOT Polish: 55 by 40 by 20 cm widebody, 45 by 30 by 20 cm regional; 8 kg
• Austrian, SWISS, Brussels, Finnair: 55 by 40 by 23 cm (Lufthansa-group standard); 8 kg
• Turkish: 40 by 30 by 23 cm, hard carrier permitted; 8 kg
• Pegasus: 50 by 32 by 32 cm, sum max 115 cm; 8 kg
• Transavia: 40 by 30 by 24 cm; 8 kg
• SAS: 40 by 25 by 23 cm; 8 kg
• Volotea: 50 by 40 by 20 cm; 10 kg (highest)

Cabin vs cargo#

For most dogs under 8 kg and almost all cats, cabin travel is available and strongly preferable. The animal is with you, temperature-controlled, and you can monitor distress.

For dogs over 8 kg, the hold is the only option (or Volotea's 10 kg cabin allowance for slightly larger small dogs on selected routes). Modern aircraft hold pet areas are temperature-controlled and pressurised to the same standard as the passenger cabin, the conditions are not as frightening as some travelers imagine. However, hold transport is more logistically complex: IATA-approved hard kennel required, advance booking essential, higher fees, and some carriers (Eurowings, Volotea, Pegasus) do not offer it at all.

For dogs where pet plus container exceeds 18 kg total weight, Croatia Airlines (and others adopting similar 2025/26 rules) require CR1 or CR82 metal/wood/composite kennels, standard hard-plastic Petmate or VariKennel-style crates are not accepted at that weight class.

Brachycephalic breeds in the hold: most European carriers have banned short-nosed breeds from hold travel due to breathing risks at altitude and temperature stress. Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, LOT, ITA, SAS and SWISS allow brachycephalic breeds in cabin within the standard 8 kg limit, this is the only option for those breeds on these carriers.

Brachycephalic restrictions#

The following breed types face restrictions beyond standard cabin rules:

Typically banned from hold on most carriers: All Bulldogs (French, English, with American varying by carrier), Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apso, Shar Pei, Brussels Griffon, Bull Mastiff, Pekingese, Chow Chow, Affenpinscher, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel; cat breeds Persian, Himalayan, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair.

Typically allowed in cabin (if under weight limit) on Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, SWISS, Austrian, Eurowings, LOT, Turkish, Air France: all of the above.

The hard-sided carrier exception: Croatia Airlines and Turkish Airlines allow brachycephalic breeds in cabin with a hard-sided carrier (Croatia Airlines: 45 by 35 by 25 cm). Other carriers require soft carriers, check before purchasing a hard crate.

Booking process and day-of-flight tips#

Book the pet space the moment you book your ticket. Most airlines operate a per-flight pet quota (Croatia Airlines: 2 to 3; most others: 1 to 5; Brussels: 4; Volotea: 5). These fill up particularly on summer routes to Dubrovnik and Split. Waiting until a week before travel on a July Saturday means you will not find a space.

Confirm the booking specifically, not just "I saw a pet option online." For Croatia Airlines, Air France, and ITA Airways, pet bookings require a phone call or sales office, not an online click. KLM's My Trip offers the most streamlined self-service flow. Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings and LOT also support online pet add-on. Get a booking reference and written confirmation in every case.

At check-in: Arrive early. Your pet will be weighed with its carrier at the check-in desk. If the combined weight exceeds the limit, you will be asked to check the animal as hold baggage or refused boarding. Do not overfeed your pet on travel day. Pack the carrier light.

Document presentation: Croatian Customs checks documents on arrival, not at departure. You do not need to present the EU pet passport or AHC at check-in, but the airline may ask to see it for cabin routing compliance.

Exercise before the airport. A well-exercised dog is calmer in a carrier. Plan a long walk in the 2 to 3 hours before you leave for the airport.

Frequently asked questions#

Which airlines refuse pets entirely on Croatia routes?

Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air (including Wizz Air Malta) carry no pets in cabin or hold on any flight to or from Croatia. Only certified assistance dogs from ADI- or IGDF-affiliated training organisations are accepted. Emotional Support Animals are explicitly refused. These three carriers operate the largest share of seats into Croatian airports, so check every segment of your itinerary before booking.

What is the standard cabin pet weight limit on flights to Croatia?

The European standard is 8 kg combined weight (pet plus carrier) on Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Eurowings, LOT Polish Airlines, ITA Airways (international), Austrian, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Turkish, Pegasus, Transavia, SAS, and Finnair. ITA Airways allows 12 kg on domestic Italy flights only. Volotea has the highest cabin allowance for Croatian routes at 10 kg. British Airways accepts no cabin pets except certified assistance dogs.

Can my brachycephalic dog or cat (French Bulldog, Pug, Persian, etc.) fly to Croatia?

In the cabin: yes, on Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, SWISS, Eurowings, LOT, Turkish and Air France, provided the combined weight is within the 8 kg cabin limit. In the hold: most carriers ban brachycephalic breeds outright due to breathing risk and temperature stress (Lufthansa banned them since January 2020; KLM, Croatia Airlines, LOT have similar rules). British Airways/IAG Cargo handles brachycephalic breeds case-by-case with temperature limits. Confirm the current breed list with your carrier.

Which airlines allow online pet booking versus phone-only?

KLM offers the most streamlined self-service flow via My Trip up to 48 hours before departure. Lufthansa, Austrian, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines and LOT also support online pet add-on through their booking management portals (with some route exceptions, e.g. Lufthansa USA flights still require phone). Croatia Airlines, Air France, ITA Airways and most full-service carriers require a phone call or sales-office contact.

What is the rule for dogs over 8 kg flying to Croatia?

They must travel in the temperature-controlled hold in an IATA-approved kennel. Hold transport is offered by Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, LOT, ITA, BA (via PetAir UK and IAG Cargo) and most full-service carriers. Eurowings does NOT offer hold pet transport, cabin only. Croatia Airlines requires CR1 or CR82 metal/wood/composite construction for any animal where pet plus container total weight exceeds 18 kg, standard hard-plastic crates such as Petmate or VariKennel are not accepted at that weight from 2025/26.

Which airlines fly to Dubrovnik (DBV) with pets for summer 2026?

Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa (FRA/MUC, schedule in flux after CityLine closure), KLM (AMS twice-daily from 29 March 2026), Air France (CDG up to 11 weekly in July/August), Eurowings, Austrian (VIE), SWISS (ZRH), Brussels Airlines (BRU, mostly seasonal), Turkish (IST, seasonal winter break to 29 March 2026), British Airways (LHR, hold only), SAS (CPH/ARN/OSL, mostly seasonal/codeshare), Finnair (HEL, seasonal), Transavia (AMS/ORY, seasonal) and Volotea (multiple French/Italian/Greek bases, seasonal). Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air also serve Dubrovnik but accept no pets.

Are emotional support animals (ESAs) accepted on flights to Croatia?

No. Every European carrier that accepts pets to Croatia treats ESAs as ordinary pets subject to the standard cabin or hold rules and fees. Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Eurowings explicitly refuse ESAs (assistance dogs only, with formal training certification). The US-style ESA framework does not transfer to European carriers.

When should I book the pet space, and what should I do at check-in?

Book the pet space the moment you book the ticket. Most carriers operate a per-flight pet quota (Croatia Airlines: 2 to 3; most others: 1 to 5; Brussels Airlines: 4; Volotea: 5) that fills on summer Dubrovnik and Split routes. At check-in, arrive early; pet plus carrier will be weighed at the desk; if combined weight exceeds the limit you may be asked to check the animal as hold baggage or refused boarding. Do not overfeed before travel and pack the carrier light. Carry the EU pet passport or AHC, the airline may request to see it.

Sources and references#