So you're moving to Spain. What about your four legged friend? Of course they can come too - but how do you go about it? Below we have outlined a brief summary of the current regulations. However, please be aware that these may change after December 2020 when the UK is no longer in the EU.
With the introduction of the Pet Passport, your four legged friend can travel back and forth with you.
Bringing a pet to Spain
- Your pet must have an ISO pet microchip and be vaccinated for rabies and various other diseases. This must be done at least 21 days prior to travel and not more than one year prior to travel.
- If the animal was fitted with a microchip after having the vaccination, it will have to be vaccinated again after the microchip is inserted.
- If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you will have to bring your own microchip scanner.
- If you’re travelling from the United States or Canada, a USDA (or CFIA) accredited vet must complete the bi-lingual Annex II for Spain. If you’re travelling from another country, the Governing Authority should endorse the form for you. Pets entering Spain from a country with a high incidence of rabies, must have a blood titer test one month after vaccination and three months prior to departure.
EU pet passports
- European Union pet owners are required to have pet passports when travelling with their animals. The passports, which are required before allowing an animal entry into an EU member state, are to include the pet’s microchip or tattoo number for identification, as well as records of all vaccinations and clinical examinations.
- When travelling, the pet owner must ensure that the rabies vaccination in the passport is valid.
- The European Pet Travel Scheme, which covers cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits and rodents, provides proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, with the passport also setting out details of the pet’s tick and tapeworm treatment.
Restrictions on bringing a pet to Spain
- Unvaccinated dogs and cats less than three months old may enter an EU country, but there are additional regulations that must be met e.g. certain aggressive breeds of dogs are prohibited from entry.
- All other pets (birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals such as rodents and rabbits) are not subject to the regulations on the anti-rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements as to a limit on the number of animals and a certificate to accompany them with respect to other diseases.
- Before travelling, pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority in their country.
Airline pet container requirements
Airlines will normally insist that you acquire a special travelling container for the animal that is ventilated and allows the animal room to move and lie down. Please consult the IATA requirements before you travel with your pet abroad.
Pets in the cabin
On flights of less than ten hours, many airlines will allow small cats or dogs to be taken in the cabin with the passenger provided certain criteria are met.