Common questions .

Showing all 16 questions

1. 01

   General

   What is ESTCA Certified?

   ESTCA Certified is the official platform for the European Standard for Travel with Canine Animals. It connects accredited trainers, dog owners, and airlines through a shared certification framework for cabin-ready travel dogs.
2. 02

   General

   What is the difference between estca.eu and estca-certified.eu?

   estca.eu hosts the ESTCA standard and the public certification registry. estca-certified.eu is the operational platform run by ESTCA B.V. for accreditation, certification workflows, and owner passes.
3. 03

   General

   Which airlines accept the ESTCA certificate?

   The standard is designed to align with IATA guidelines and European aviation requirements. Individual airlines decide whether to accept ESTCA certification. We maintain a growing list of carriers that recognise the standard — check the For Airlines page for the latest information.
4. 04

   General

   Is this the same as an EU pet passport?

   No. The EU pet passport covers veterinary and identification requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, etc.). The ESTCA certificate covers behavioural readiness for cabin travel. Both may be required by an airline — they complement each other.
5. 05

   Dog owners

   How do I get my dog certified?

   Find an accredited trainer through our directory, complete the assessment programme with them, and once your dog passes, the trainer issues the ESTCA certificate. You can then claim your digital pass on this platform.
6. 06

   Dog owners

   How much does certification cost for owners?

   Training fees are set by individual accredited providers. The digital pass and registry listing are included in the certification at no extra cost to the owner.
7. 07

   Dog owners

   Do I need an account as a dog owner?

   No. Dog owners do not need to create an account. Once your trainer issues the certificate, you receive a link to claim your digital pass directly — no login required.
8. 08

   Dog owners

   What do I show at the airport?

   Present your ESTCA digital pass (or printed certificate) along with your EU pet passport. The airline can verify the certificate number against the public registry at estca.eu.
9. 09

   Dog owners

   Can brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds be certified?

   No. The ESTCA standard excludes brachycephalic breeds from certification due to the elevated veterinary risks associated with air travel for these dogs. This applies regardless of individual temperament or training outcomes. Annex II of the standard lists the affected breeds.
10. 10

    Trainers

    How do I become an accredited trainer?

    Create an account on this platform, register or join a training company, and complete the ESTCA trainer accreditation assessment. Once accredited, you can assess dogs and issue certificates.
11. 11

    Trainers

    What does it cost to become an accredited trainer?

    Platform access is currently free during the launch period — no fees until July 2026. After that, a per-certification fee of €99 applies. Trainers set their own course prices independently.
12. 12

    Trainers

    Who sets training prices?

    Accredited training providers set their own fees and booking arrangements. ESTCA does not sell courses on this platform. A recommended programme fee may be published for guidance only.
13. 13

    Process

    How long is a certification valid?

    Certification validity and renewal rules follow the published standard and programme requirements. Expiry dates are reflected on the registry record and in owner-facing materials once issued.
14. 14

    Process

    Can a certification be reversed?

    After a certification is submitted and paid, trainers cannot undo it. Withdrawal or suspension is an administrative action under ESTCA governance and quality assurance.
15. 15

    Process

    What happens if certification is withheld?

    If a trainer withholds certification after the assessment, the dog may not re-enroll in the programme for at least eight weeks. This cooling-off period is mandated by the standard to ensure the dog's welfare and allow time for any behavioural concerns to be addressed.
16. 16

    Platform

    Where is my data processed?

    The platform is designed for EU data residency: Supabase in Frankfurt and deployment aligned with European processing requirements. Analytics use an EU-configured stack where enabled.