Major European Airports That Offer Facilities for Pets
Flying with a pet in Europe still involves a lot of guesswork, especially when it comes to finding a place for them to relieve themselves or have a meal during long layovers or before boarding. European hubs have been slower to add designated pet areas as compared to the U.S., and even fewer provide indoor or post-security options.
For travelers flying with in-cabin animals, knowing which airports offer real, accessible facilities can make an exhausting journey much more manageable. This list highlights major European airports that go beyond the basics to accommodate pets during transit.
Istanbul Airport (Turkey)
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Istanbul Airport maintains five pet facilities across arrivals, departures, and transit areas. Two rooms in the international section include faux grass, fire hydrants, water stations, litter boxes, and dry food dispensers. Additional spaces are found in domestic departures near gate G1B, across from check-in island E, and opposite the arrivals entrance.
Heathrow Airport (United Kingdom)
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Heathrow provides post-security rooms in Terminals 2 through 5. These are basic but functional, with cleanup bins. Terminal 2’s room sits on level -2, while others are near gate 27 in T3, behind World Duty Free in T4, and near the transit train platform in T5.
Helsinki Airport (Finland)
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This airport was one of the first in Europe to offer U.S.-style pet areas. Outside, there’s a relief zone near bus stop 18. The airside non-Schengen space near Gate 51 stays open 24 hours. For Schengen travelers, an outdoor zone opens seasonally near Gate 21.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (France)
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Two fenced outdoor dog parks have been installed in this French airport. One sits landside at Terminal 2F, near Gate 17d. The second is in Terminal 2E’s Boarding Hall M, near Gate M50, likely after security. Both have seating, fountains, and permeable surfacing. Look for signs labeled “espace canin,” though they’re not always visible.
Madrid–Barajas Airport (Spain)
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Near Terminal 1, a fenced area beside parking lot P1 provides a basic outdoor stop. It’s perfect to give pets a proper stretch before takeoff. While travelers have shared photos of a possible indoor pet zone after security, this setup has not been confirmed by Aena, so plan for outdoor access before check-in.
Dublin Airport (Ireland)
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You will find one official pet relief room inside Terminal 2 at Dublin. It’s located post-security, across from Butler’s Coffee Shop. While built for service animals, pets are also allowed in the cabin. Terminal 1 does not have such an area yet, although construction of a facility is underway.
Munich Airport (Germany)
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One airside relief area is available in Terminal 1, Hall C1 West, serving non-Schengen flights. Plans for new pet-friendly spaces in Terminal 2 and the satellite terminal are progressing, but they won’t be open until at least 2026. Outdoor public areas are also usable.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Spain)
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In Barcelona-El Prat Airport, A designated pet zone is located outside the terminal entrance, before the security checkpoint. Each space features lawn, water fountains, bins, and leash posts. One sits outside the T1 departures area, another on the south terrace, plus two in T2 (between T2A and T2B and near boarding gates S). These are all pre-security, so in-cabin pets should use them before heading to the departure area.
Athens Airport (Greece)
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The Athens airport’s indoor animal facility is found in Terminal A at Gate A15, after passport control in the non-Schengen departure area. The room appears on the airport’s website under “General Services.” It’s airside in the non-Schengen zone, and is best suited for travelers with longer stopovers waiting for connecting flights.
Paris-Orly Airport (France)
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An enclosed pet park now operates between Terminals 3 and 4 in a public zone at the Paris-Orly airport. This space has a double-gate system, a water fountain, and a bench. Sand covers the ground, and it replaces the old habit of using curbside grass. Indoor options still don’t exist at Orly for pets traveling post-security.
Palma de Mallorca Airport (Spain)
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At Palma de Mallorca, travelers can find two simple pet spaces listed as “dog toilets.” One is outside Module A at ground level. The other is on a terrace on the second floor called the Soarium. Both are fenced, with some shade and water available, but their proximity to secure zones varies depending on the terminal’s flow.
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (Italy)
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Olbia Airport in Sardinia added an indoor relief area back in 2019. It’s post-security and includes turf, cleanup sinks, waste bags, and a shallow trough. It remains one of the only designated post-security pet zones in Italy, which can make a big difference when flying off the island.
Paris-CDG Unofficial Grass Access
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Where formal pet areas are inaccessible or distant, Terminal 3 at Paris-CDG offers nearby grass close to hotels. Travelers have also used patches outside Terminal 2G, though this section requires a shuttle and isn’t connected to the main terminal. These are not marked zones, but are commonly used before check-in.
Barcelona Airport’s Patio Workaround
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Travelers passing through Terminal 1 at Barcelona sometimes end up using the patio by McDonald’s. Though originally built for smoking, it has bark mulch and partial fencing. It’s not designated as a pet area and lacks water or cleaning amenities, but it works for travelers with tight travel windows.
Other Airports With Usable Grass Nearby
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Some airports don’t offer official relief areas, but they do have grassy spaces within walking distance of terminals. These include Prague, Marseille, Riga, Bucharest, Tenerife South, Malta, and Catania. Most allow leashed pets outside before check-in, though indoor access is usually restricted without a carrier.