Gibraltar Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Gibraltar pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and an EU Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO GIBRALTAR below.

Note that, although Gibraltar is not an EU Member State, this country has adopted European Union regulations for the import of pets.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for Pets Entering Gibraltar

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Gibraltar if the pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will bear all the costs involved.

Gibraltar Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog or cat to Gibraltar must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-6 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: Country Classifications

The European Union (EU) does not recognize any countries as rabies-free. Dogs, cats, and ferrets from all countries are subject to current rabies vaccination according to their regulations. The EU classifies countries as either:

• EU Member States and territories
• part 1 listed third countries
• part 2 listed third countries
• unlisted countries

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Gibraltar will depend on the classification of their country of origin and whether your pet has entered an unlisted country within the past four months. Click on the links above to find your country’s classification.

Pet owners should identify the classification of their country of origin before reviewing import regulations for Gibraltar.

Step 2: Type of Transport

The European Union classifies the movement of pets as non-commercial or commercial. These pet import requirements apply to both non-commercial and commercial transports. Review the conditions below to determine whether your pet’s transport will be classified as non-commercial or commercial as the requirements for each type of transport are different.

Conditions for Non-Commercial Transport

• All pets must enter Gibraltar with or within five days of their owner*. Proof of travel will be required AND
• The transport applies to no more than five pets unless proof of participation in a competition or show is available, and pets are over six months of age AND
• The purpose of the transport must not be for adoption, sale, or exchange of ownership.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

All pet owners transporting their pets under non-commercial regulations must sign a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport stating that their pet’s transport does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of their pet.

Unless all of the above conditions are satisfied, your pet must travel under commercial regulations.

Conditions for Commercial Transport

• The pet is not traveling with or within five days of the owner* OR
• The transport is greater than five pets under one owner’s passport OR
• The purpose of the transport involves any change of ownership, adoption or commercial sale.

*Some EU Member States will allow a representative assigned by the owner to travel with the pet under non-commercial regulations.

If any of the above conditions are met, then your pet must travel under commercial regulations. The importer must be registered in the origin country and have proof of the organization they represent. They also must have proof that this business or organization will be responsible or the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

The second step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Gibraltar is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own microchip scanner.

A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government database in your country.

A tattoo is an acceptable form of identification under the following conditions:

• It was applied prior to July 3, 2011, and
• The tattoo is clearly visible, and
• Your pet was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied, and
• All rabies vaccinations after the tattoo was applied were kept current. (No rabies vaccinations were allowed to expire before boosters were administered.)

Step 4: Vaccinations

All dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks of age entering Gibraltar must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Gibraltar from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed third country, pets must wait 21 days after the primary rabies vaccination to travel. If entering Gibraltar from an unlisted country, pets must wait for 30 days to have a licensed veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

In either case, do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Other Vaccinations

Vaccinations are essential for the health and well-being of both dogs and cats. They help protect against a variety of infectious diseases, some of which can be serious or even fatal. They are a part of any good health veterinary regiment and can be administered at specific intervals so they are affective when entering Gibraltar.

All vaccinations can be recorded on the international health certificate (step 7) with information including vaccine manufacturer, date of administration, date of validity and lot number (if applicable).

Exception: Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper when being transported commercially.

Step 5: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a serology test, measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It is administered by a licensed veterinarian, and the blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for processing.

A rabies titer test must be administered to pets entering Gibraltar from unlisted countries no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Gibraltar three calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test and avoid quarantine.

Rabies titer test results will not be accepted as a substitute for proof of current rabies vaccination.

It is worth noting that some EU Member States require that serology levels be confirmed prior to leaving their country. It is always wise to have this test done prior to travel, if possible. The test is valid to enter any EU Member State for the life of your pet if rabies vaccinations never expire.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

Pet owners should always protect their pets from internal and external parasites to keep them healthy. This is very important when traveling internationally; however, proof of these treatments is not required for pets imported to Gibraltar.

Step 7: Pet Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires a health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Gibraltar is no exception. The EU health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species.

The type of health certificate required will depend on the purpose of the transport: non-commercial or commercial.

Non-Commercial Transport to Gibraltar from an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

Resident Pets: Have your veterinarian issue and update an EU Pet Passport or a government-issued Pet Passport (part 1 listed third countries) for your pet. A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your air carrier.

Note: There will be additional requirements to return to a part 1 listed third country in addition to the Pet Passport. Find them here.

Non-Resident Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or part 1 listed third country for four months, or you do not have a permanent address in the origination country, then your pet will need a non-commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Gibraltar.

Non-Commercial Transport to Gibraltar from a Part 2 Listed or Unlisted Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 applies under the following conditions:

• Your pet is originating from an unlisted third country or
• Your pet has entered an unlisted third country within four months of travel.

Within 10 days of entry, a licensed veterinarian must issue a non-commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Gibraltar. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian. This veterinarian represents the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The EU pet health certificate for Gibraltar is good for transports of 5 or fewer dogs, cats, or ferrets. The form is good for 4 months of travel within the EU if the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Gibraltar from an EU Member State

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

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

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

Your pet must be inspected, and an intra-trade Pet Health Certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of entry.

Commercial Transport to Gibraltar from a Part 1 and 2 Listed Third Country

Steps 3 and 4 apply. Step 5 does not apply.

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Gibraltar must be issued by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

Commercial Transport to Gibraltar from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4, and 5 apply.

Note: Pets can only enter Gibraltar from unlisted countries under commercial regulations from these countries.

Your pet must be inspected by a licensed veterinarian who will issue a commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Gibraltar. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

Step 8: Import Permit

An import permit is not required when importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Gibraltar.

More Information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Gibraltar from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Gibraltar from Peninsular Malaysia, the following additional conditions must be met:

• Your pet has had no contact with pigs for at least the past 60 days prior to export.
• Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.
• Your pet has been tested with a negative result from an IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.

Cats may only enter Gibraltar from Australia under the condition that they have not lived in areas where cases of Hendra disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days.

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Gibraltar

Although your pet can be microchipped at eight weeks of age, rabies vaccinations must not be administered prior to 12 weeks of age. There is a 21-day wait for puppies and kittens over 12 weeks of age arriving from EU Member States or part 1 or 2 listed third countries. The minimum age for entering Gibraltar from an unlisted country is seven months of age.

More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Gibraltar

Gibraltar does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Gibraltar with a Pet

Pets flying to Gibraltar should enter the country via Gibraltar International Airport (North Front Airport).

Due to regulations set by commercial airlines approved to fly animals to Gibraltar, pets must arrive as manifest cargo unless they are medically certified service dogs and your airline has a program that supports the transport of these animals in the cabin.

Pets must travel in a crate in accordance with the specifications of the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?

All live animals should enter Gibraltar directly or transit through an EU Member State*, or part 1 or 2 listed third country if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. This statement must attest that your pet has had no contact with rabies-carrying animals and remained secured within the airplane or airport.

*Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

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

Exporting Resident Pets from Gibraltar

All dogs, cats, and ferrets leaving Gibraltar for another EU Member State or Part 1 or 2 Listed Third Country must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait for 21 days before leaving Gibraltar after primary vaccination. 

If your pet will visit or enter an unlisted third country, a veterinarian in Gibraltar should administer a rabies titer test before leaving Gibraltar if your pet will be returning. Even if your pet is not entering an unlisted third country, traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

Non-accompanied transports may require export permits.

All animals leaving Gibraltar for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance to their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. The origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits will issue the necessary documentation.

Importing other Pet Animals to Gibraltar

Currently, there are no requirements for the import of pet rodents, rabbits, reptiles or birds to Gibraltar.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

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

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need more Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Gibraltar?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Gibraltar at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.

Here’s what is included in the Gibraltar pet passport package:

• Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Gibraltar from any country available in six languages
• Required Vaccinations and Intervals
• ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
• Rabies Titer Test Instructions (when required)
• Approved Laboratories
• Health Certificate Information
• IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
• Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
• Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
• FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions

Also included at no additional cost:

• Veterinary Health Certificate for Gibraltar
• Airline Health Certificate
• Inoculation Record
• Microchip Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Gibraltar?

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Current Information

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 or
• Return your pet to the country of origin at your expense or
• Euthanize your pet.

We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Gibraltar pet import requirements.