Pet Microchip

Your pet must first be identified with a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

The microchip should be implanted by your veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet's information in the manufacturer database.

Vaccinations

If your pet is entering the Canary Islands from a rabies-controlled country, it will need a rabies vaccination more than 21 days before entry. If your dog, cat or ferret has a current rabies vaccination but no microchip, it will have to be vaccinated again after the microchip is implanted and wait 21 days before travel. Once you have entered the Canary Islands, a 21 day waiting period is not required for subsequent visits, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date, and the other entry requirements are met.

Dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper.

Rabies Titer Test

If your pet is entering the Canary Islands from an Unlisted Third Country or has visited an Unlisted Third Country in the previous 4 months prior to travel, your pet must have a rabies titer test (FAVN) administered by your veterinarian.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter the Canary Islands no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn and avoid quarantine.

This step is not required unless entering the Canary Islands from an Unlisted Third Country or after visiting an Unlisted Third Country within 4 months of travel.

Tapeworm Treatment - Dogs Only

A tapeworm treatment is not required when entering the Canary Islands from any country; however, the Canary Islands is not free of tapeworm and treatments against this parasite are always recommended when traveling internationally.

Pet Health Certificate

The type of EU pet health certificate depends on whether or not your pet's transport is commercial or non-commercial. Choose from two options below.

Non-Commercial Transport (all conditions must apply):

• The pet owner or a legal representative of the owner is traveling with or within 5 days of the pet.
• The transport does not involve the purchase, sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of the pet.
• The pet owner or legal representative of the pet owner is traveling with five pets or less unless proof of participation in a show or competition is available for pets over 6 months of age.

Non-Commercial Transport to the Canary Islands from a Listed Third Country or Unlisted Third Country:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply. If entering the Canary Islands from an Unlisted Third Country, step 3 applies as well.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU pet health certificate for the Canary Islands. A government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country which is responsible for the import and export of live animals must endorse the certificate within 10 days of arrival.

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. (see item 7 if you are traveling with more than 5 pets). The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Non-Commercial Transport to the Canary Islands from an EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply. Step 3 does not apply.

Have your veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet. An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to the Canary Islands from another EU Member State unless your pet does not qualify for an EU Pet Passport (non-resident pet).

A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your carrier.

You or your representative must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that your pet's transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of your pet.

Commercial Transport (any condition can apply):

• The owner or legal representative of the owner is not traveling with or within 5 days of the pet.
• The purpose of the transport involves a sale, adoption or transfer of ownership of the pet.
• The pet owner or legal representative of the pet owner is traveling with more than five pets and proof of participation in a show or competition is not available.

Commercial Transport to the Canary Islands from a Listed Third Country or Territory:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply. Step 3 does not apply.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU pet health certificate. The certificate must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel by a government veterinarian who represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. Official Pet Passports will be accepted from certain countries.

The EU pet health certificate is good for transports of 5 or less dogs, cats or ferrets. (see step 7 for transports of more than 5 pets). The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on it does not expire.

Your pet must enter the Canary Islands at an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) at an international airport at Gran Canaria. Notice must be given 24 hours prior to arrival.

All dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.

Commercial Transport to the Canary Islands from an Unlisted Third Country:

Dogs, cats and ferrets can only enter the Canary Islands from these Unlisted Third Countries. Pets must conform to all steps above and also have a rabies titer test according to step 3 above.

A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the commercial EU pet health certificate. The certificate must be issued and endorsed within 48 hours of travel by a government veterinarian who represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Commercial Transport to the Canary Islands from an EU Member State:

Regulations in steps 1 and 2 apply. Step 3 does not apply.

Your pet must travel from a licensed premises which is registered with the governing authority in your EU Member State responsible for the import and export of animals.

Your veterinarian should obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.

Traveling with more than 5 pets

If you are traveling with 6 or more dogs, cats or ferrets, in order to transport them non-commercially, they must be 6 months or older and attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event. If this is not the case, your pets must meet the requirements for commercial transport. (see step #4)

Entering the Canary Islands by Air

Accompanied pets entering the Canary Islands by air from non-EU countries must do so at Gran Canaria Airport.

Pets should enter the Canary Islands directly or transit through another EU Member State. If your pet transits through a high-rabies country, then a Transit Declaration will be required stating that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to the Canary Islands. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Pets may arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo.

Puppies and Kittens

Non-vaccinated puppies, kittens and ferrets are not permitted to enter the Canary Islands from any country or EU Member State. Rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age and there is a 21 day wait for puppies and kittens arriving from EU Member States or rabies-controlled countries. The minimum age for entering the Canary Islands from high-rabies countries is 7 months of age.

Exporting Pets Living in the Canary Islands

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving the Canary Islands should be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies and wait 21 days before leaving Canary Islands. All required documentation for your destination country should be available.

If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to a country with a high incidence of rabies, your veterinarian should do a rabies titer test before you leave the Canary Islands if you intend to return.

Other Animals

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter the Canary Islands. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 2:00 PM EST.

 

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