Spain Pet Import Requirements

Home » Information » Pet Passports » Spain Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that conform to Spain pet import requirements for dogs, cats, and ferrets entering this country from non-EU countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Spain will include proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, rabies titer test (some countries), and one of the following:

An official EU or NI Pet Passport (resident EU or Northern Ireland pets)
An EU Health Certificate (non-EU-resident pets)
A government-issued Pet Passport from a part 1 listed third country (see EU COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS)
An Animal Health Certificate when entering Spain from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales). UK Pet Passports are no longer accepted as a substitute for an Animal Health Certificate.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets 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 SPAIN below.

Pets in Spain

Spain is a nation of pet lovers, and many families keep cats, dogs, fish, birds, and other domesticated animals as companions. There are almost 5.2 million dogs and 2.3 million cats. Spain is generally a pet-friendly country, with many accommodations, restaurants, and public spaces welcoming pets. In many cities and towns across Spain, pets are allowed in outdoor seating areas of restaurants and cafes.

Small pets in carriers are typically allowed on public transportation, including buses, trains, and metro systems. However, larger dogs may have restrictions or require a muzzle and leash. Urban areas like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia have numerous veterinary clinics and hospitals providing medical care for 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 Spain

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Spain if 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 be responsible all costs involved.

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Spain must be completed in the origination country. Steps 1-8 should be followed in the order given.

Step 1: EU 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:

The requirements to import a dog, cat, or ferret to Spain will depend on the classification of your 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 origination country’s classification.

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

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 Spain 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 for the import of the pet. The exporter must provide proof that they are registered in the exporting country.

Step 3: Pet Microchip

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

Your 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’s 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 Spain must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered at the same time or after a microchip was implanted.

If entering Spain from another EU Member State, part 1 or part 2 listed country, pets must wait 21 days after rabies vaccination to travel unless a booster vaccination was administered. If entering Spain from an unlisted country, pets must wait for 30 days to have their veterinarian administer a rabies titer test (next step).

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

Multi-year rabies vaccinations

Scotland does honor the three-year rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets; however, it should only be administered as a booster, not as a primary vaccination. You can speak to your veterinarian about this.

Other Vaccinations

Pet owners should always consider healthy vaccinations against diseases such as:

canine distemper (also for ferrets)
canine hepatitis
canine leptospirosis
canine parvovirus
feline viral rhinotracheitis
feline panleukopenia
feline leukemia

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, must be administered to pets entering Spain from unlisted countries only. The test should be administered no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination is administered. Do not count the day of the veterinary visit.

This test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. There are several kinds of rabies titer tests, although the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) is preferred.

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

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 boosters are administered prior to the expiration of the previous rabies vaccination.

Step 6: Parasite Treatments

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

Step 7: Health Certificate

Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and Spain is no exception. The type of health certificate required will depend on the type of transport the pet is traveling under – non-commercial or commercial.

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

Steps 2 and 3 apply. Step 4 does not apply unless your pet has entered an unlisted country within 4 months of travel.

Resident EU Pets: Have your veterinarian issue and update a government-issued Pet Passport for your pet. A health check prior to travel is recommended and may be required by your air carrier. Have your veterinarian record the health check in your pet’s Pet Passport.

An EU pet health certificate is not required for pets traveling to Spain with a current EU Pet Passport.

Non-Resident EU Pets (visitors): If your pet has not lived in an EU Member State or Part 1 Listed Country for 4 months or you do not have a permanent address in origination country, then your pet will need a non-commercial EU Health Certificate. The certificate must then be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency in your country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Related: Non-commercial bi-lingual EU Health Certificate for Spain.

Non-Commercial Transport to Spain 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 country or
Your pet has entered an unlisted country within four months of travel.

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

The EU pet health certificate for Spain is good for transports of five or fewer dogs, cats, or ferrets. The form is good for four months of travel within the EU as long as the rabies vaccination documented on the certificate does not expire during that time.

Commercial Transport to Spain 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.

The transport must be recorded in the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) before travel. This system tracks the import, export, and intra trade of all live animals entering or leaving the EU.

Commercial Transport to Spain 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 EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent.

Commercial Transport to Spain from an Unlisted Country

Steps 3, 4 and 5 apply.

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

Your pet must be inspected, and a commercial EU Health Certificate must be issued and endorsed by a government veterinarian within 48 hours of travel.

The transport must be recorded in advance in TRACES by an agent in Spain.

More information

Importing Dogs and Cats to Spain from Malaysia and Australia

If your pet is entering Spain 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 Spain 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 Spain

Puppies, kittens, and ferrets under 12 weeks of age should not be vaccinated for rabies. Unvaccinated pets are not permitted to be imported into Spain. Owners should have their pets fully vaccinated for rabies according to their veterinarian’s guidance (12–16 weeks of age) and follow further regulations listed here prior to travel.

The minimum age at which a puppy or kitten can enter Spain from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country is 12 weeks and 22 days. The minimum age is seven months to import a pet to Spain from an unlisted country.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned for Import to Spain

The following breeds are not banned from entering Spain, but they must be registered within three months of entry and must wear a muzzle to pass security in Spain: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasiliero, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu.

Pet-Friendly Airlines Flying to Spain

Many pet-friendly commercial airlines provide service to Spain including Air Europa, Air France, Avianca, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, El Al, Emirates, Iberia, KLM, Korean Air, LATAM, Lufthansa, Qatar, Turkish Airlines just to name a few.

Flights to Spain should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible*. If your pet transits through an unlisted country, then a Transit Declaration will be required. The declaration must state 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.

Entering Spain with a Pet

Pets entering Spain by air from non-EU countries must do so at Border Inspection Posts at international airports in Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Tenerife Sur or Valencia.

Pets can arrive in the cabin as checked baggage or as air cargo, according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Ports approved for the import of pets are Algeciras, Almeria, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Pets should enter Spain 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 stating 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 commercial transports, whether by air or land, must be preregistered in the TRACES database, and the responsible transporter must be registered. Non-commercial transport by land must also be registered.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Spain. 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 Spain

All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Spain 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 at least 21 days* after primary vaccination before leaving Spain. *Note that this time will change according to country requirements.

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

All animals leaving Spain for non-EU countries that do not have specific health certificates must obtain a health certificate in accordance with their destination country requirements prior to the issuance of an export permit. This permit will be issued by agencies in the origin province responsible for the issuance of export permits.

Importing Birds and Other Pet Animals to Spain

Rodents, rabbits, and reptiles entering Spain from an EU Member State or part 1 or 2 listed third country must be examined by a licensed veterinarian within five days of transport and show no signs of disease or external parasites. They must be accompanied by their owner and be less than five in number.

Birds entering Spain with their owners, not for commercial reasons or a change of ownership, will require a health certificate in Spanish issued within 10 days of travel when entering Spain from another EU Member State.

Birds entering Spain with their owners from these non-EU Member States must complete a veterinary certificate in Spanish as well as a Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport in addition to the requirements below.

A health certificate and Owner’s Declaration must accompany your bird.

You are not importing more than five birds.
You must enter Spain at an approved border inspection point.

One of the following must occur:

Your bird must have undergone isolation for 30 days prior to export OR
Two vaccinations against avian influenza with the H5 vaccine between 60 days and 6 months of import OR
10 days of isolation and undergone a test to detect the H5N1antigen or genome OR
30 days of quarantine in a registered premise in an approved quarantine facility in Spain AND
All permits must accompany birds that are covered by CITES AND
Export permits may be required by the wildlife authority in the exporting country.

Birds must be examined within 48 hours of transport and found free of any signs of disease or external parasites. A health certificate must be issued and include the following information: characteristics of the bird, species, sex, color, owner’s information, veterinarian’s information, and details of any medical tests or treatments.

Birds must not be exposed to any other birds after the clinical examination and prior to import.

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 it is even more 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 in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Spain?

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

Order Now

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

Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Spain from any country available in six languages
Required Vaccinations and Intervals
ISO-Compliant Microchip Information
Titer Test Instructions and Overview (required when entering from an unlisted country)
Approved EU laboratories for the titer test
Parasite Treatments
Border Inspection Posts
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:

Non-Commercial or Commercial EU Health Certificate for Spain
Sample Completed Health Certificate for your Veterinarian
Microchip Certificate
Airline Health Certificate

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Spain?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Spain? Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

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, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Spain pet import requirements.