Animals on board · Rail Ukraine

The conditions have changed: annex 3 on the UZ site describes the 2019 version, while what applies is section 15 of the Carriage rules as revised on 17 March 2026. What follows is what applies.

Small domestic animals

Small-breed dogs, cats, domestic birds and similar animals that pose no threat to those around them may be carried in carriages of every category in a purpose-made carrier: a cage, container, box, basket, rucksack, bag or other receptacle with a waterproof absorbent floor.

The carrier goes where hand luggage goes: in overnight carriages under your berth or on the shelf beside you, in seated carriages on your lap or under the seat. It counts as one piece of hand luggage, and no more than two animals may be in it.

A small animal may not travel without a carrier. There is one exception: a small-breed dog may travel loose in a carriage with berths if all the unoccupied seats in the compartment have been bought at the adult fare.

Large and dangerous dogs

Dogs over 45 cm at the withers, and dogs of any size on the List of dangerous breeds (Cabinet of Ministers resolution no. 1164 of 10 November 2021), are carried muzzled and on a lead, and only in these ways:

in a compartment carriage or a higher class - in a compartment of their own, no more than two animals, provided all unoccupied seats are bought at the adult fare;
on Intercity and Intercity+ - provided all the seats of a single block beside the handler are bought. The dog may not be put on a seat: it travels on the floor under the seats or beside them;
in the seated carriages of other trains - in the end vestibules of the first and last carriages, watched by a handler who must travel in a seat by the door.

If the carrier cannot arrange a separate compartment, carriage is not permitted.

Poultry

Hens, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea fowl, quail and pigeons are accepted only in the general carriages of passenger trains and on regional trains, in a purpose-made carrier, no more than one piece of hand luggage and within the hand-luggage dimensions.

What it costs

Per animal or per item - the rate for 20 kg of luggage, whatever else you are carrying by hand. It is covered by a luggage receipt.

Guide dogs and working dogs

A guide dog travels free in a carriage of any category with a person with a visual impairment, on production of a document establishing the entitlement. A muzzle is required (except for small-breed guide dogs not on the dangerous list) along with a short lead, and the dog must stay beside the passenger it accompanies.

Working dogs travel free on the same terms, including dogs accompanying service personnel during martial law and for 180 days after it ends.

Veterinary documents

A properly issued veterinary document for a domestic animal is required. It is produced on request.

Whose business it is on the journey

Feeding, watering and cleaning up after the animal is its owner's business. If the animal breaks the sanitary rules, the owner or handler clears it up.

Wild animals may not be carried

Carrying wild animals as hand luggage is forbidden.

International services

CIS and Baltic countries. Under the agreement between railway administrations, household animals (dogs, cats, birds) may be carried with you in a special container against the hand-luggage allowance, given the veterinary documents. No extra charge is made. A dog not in a container, muzzled and on a lead, travels in a compartment of its own in a compartment carriage, no more than two, with all unoccupied seats paid for at the full fare - other than seats taken by children or by passengers entitled to a concession fare. On the trains of the Azerbaijani railways, household animals are carried only in compartment carriages.

European Union. For the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets from Ukraine to the EU, Regulation (EU) no. 576/2013 requires: a microchip, or a legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011; a valid rabies vaccination; a rabies antibody titration test of at least 0.5 IU/ml, on a blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before the certificate is issued; an animal health certificate and the owner's declaration that the movement is non-commercial.

The certificate forms, the list of veterinary clinics that issue the form no. 1 veterinary certificate and the list of accredited laboratories are published by the State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

These are not railway rules: they apply however you travel. Plan ahead - because of the waiting periods around the blood test, the preparation takes months.