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If you are intending to take your pet(s) to Spain the requirements are basically straight forward. If you intend to take your pets to the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland then the situation becomes more complex. We have assembled what we believe to be complete information on Pets for those intending to travel either to Spain or the UK. Where appropriate, links have been provided to other sites. If you find any part of the information provided on this page is not correct, please let us know.

Pets in Spain are known as animales domésticos or animal de compania or mascota.

The European Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport) allows for qualifying domestic animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) to freely cross borders in Europe.

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) provides for qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without undergoing quarantine.

Pet travel laws can be affected by exceptional outbreaks of diseases. Recent examples are Avian Influenza (the H5N1 strain of bird flu) and Foot and Mouth disease.

Moving Pets within the European Union

European Pet Passport

The EU Pet Passport is a booklet, identical for all European countries, which contains obligatory information concerning an individual animal: identification number, proof of valid vaccine against the rabies virus. It may contain other non-obligatory information. It is valid for the lifetime of the pet. Each passport is numbered for identification purposes.

Animals traveling within any European Union countries other than Ireland, Sweden, Malta and the United Kingdom need to have identification by microchip or tattoo (tattoos are only acceptable until July 2011), valid vaccine against rabies (except when crossing the Finnish border, where animals must have proof of tapeworm – echinococcosis – treatment). All vets should have the relevant information and be able to prepare a pet for travel.

The EU Pet Passport can also be used when traveling between Europe and the following non-mainland European areas: Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira. It may also be used when traveling between EU and other countries with the same rabies status. Included are: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State.

See the EUROPA web site 

Getting an EU Pet Passport

The passport may only be issued by a licensed vet and it, and vaccinations, should be kept current by the vet. Before issuing it, the vet will confirm that the animal Is identified by a micro chip in the neck or tattoo in the ear, has valid vaccines against rabies and has had a blood test to confirm the vaccine is in the system. Following these steps the vet can issue a certificate of health - the Pet Passport.

Arriving in Spain

A non-commercial importer may bring up to five pets into Spain. Pet owners must carry a valid EU Pet Passport for each pet when traveling with their animals to Spain. If the rabies vaccination was the animal's first vaccine then it must wait for 21 days before entering the country. There is no time delay with booster injections, providing there is proof that the booster was administered before the last vaccine had expired. An animal must be over three months old to enter Spanish territory.

Rabbits and rodents may travel without a passport but should be declared at the border.

Moving Pets between Spain and the UK and Ireland

Dogs, cats and ferrets may travel between UK and Ireland, and Europe without quarantine, provided some (stringent) requirements are met. The system allowing travel is called the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).

DEFRA, the UK Department for Environment Food and Rural affairs, has comprehensive and up-to-date information on the web site. It can also can provide an information pack on request.

DEFRA web site: Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

Entering the UK or Ireland

Before entering Britain or Ireland (or Sweden or Malta) from Spain or elsewhere in the EU, an animal must:

have a anti-rabies booster vaccination (the pet must be vaccinated by a vet)

• have a blood test. A blood sample will be taken 30 days after the vaccination and will be sent to an approved laboratory to confirm it has been effective

  • If the sample tests correct, the vet will sign the certificate
  • If the sample tests negative, the vaccination and sampling process will be repeated until successful and there will be a six-month delay (see note below)
• between 24 and 48 hours before departure from Spain the animal must be treated for ticks, and tapeworm (echinococcosis). This treatment must be carried out by an authorised vet
• have microchip identification, a tattoo is not acceptable
• have a valid European Pet Passport completed with certificates and documentation of treatments

Note: A passport cannot be issued until six months after a satisfactory blood test. Once the vet has issued the pet's documentation and that six-month period has passed, the pet may enter the UK. The travel process is then much the same as above. The passport must be up to date and the rabies booster must be valid.

If the authorities are unsatisfied with the animal on entry to the UK it can be held in quarantine until the relevant tests are passed.

Further information from:

• The Directgov web site: Click here  
• Irish Department of Agriculture website
• British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA website

Moving Pets to Spain from outside the European Union

If taking the pet to a country outside the EU consult the Embassy or consulate to check the local regulations.

An animal entering Spain or an EU Country from a non-EU country that has the same rabies controls need merely prove that the anti-rabies booster vaccinations are valid and up-to-date.

See EUROPA website

Animals from countries not included on the list need to have complete anti-rabies treatment. The Spanish Embassy in the home country should be consulted.

Moving Pets to Spain from the United States or Canada

Animals from the USA and Canada may enter Spain if they have:

The cage or carrier must be labeled with the owners name, and their (or a nominated person's) address and contact numbers in Spain.

Once in Spain, a Spanish vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing travel within Europe.

Pet Carriers To and From Spain

It is essential to ensure that the pet is eligible to travel not only to or from Spain but also any other countries it may pass through.

The animal will have to travel in an approved container. It must be big enough for the animal to stand sit and turn during the journey. The container must allow adequate ventilation.

If the journey is longer than a few hours, food and drink may need to be supplied.

Several train companies, sea ferries and airlines carry caged animals across borders (normally a pet traveling by air will be in the hold). Consult the carrier for details.

The web site Dogsaway has up-to-date lists of routes and carriers.

Carriers Spain and the UK

Animals must be transported via approved routes. 

• DEFRA approved carriers and their contact details:
• DEFRA has approved certain ports and airports:

Euro Tunnel is pet friendly allowing pets to travel in the car. 

• The web site has information and check-in procedures

Traveling with Guide Dogs

Guide dogs for the blind entering Spain must adhere to the same requirements as other domestic pets above.

Once in Spain the service dog has free access to all public buildings and may travel unrestricted on all public transport. The dog should be registered and licensed with the Spanish National Organization of the Blind (Organización Nacional de Ciegos de España, ONCE).

ONCE Website (in English) 

• AEPA, Associación Español de Perros de Assistencia, The Spanish association for assistance dogs:

The UK based Guide Dogs for the Blind association has a set of guidelines for those traveling with assistance of guide dogs.

Pets (animales domésticos or mascotas) are defined as animals kept for company.

General Rules for Pet Owners in Spain

All domestic pets in Spain must be identified by microchip or by a clearly readable tattoo. The tattoo will only be accepted as a means of identification until 3 July 2011.

Vaccination against rabies is compulsory. It is also advisable to have dogs vaccinated against other diseases such as distemper and hardpad. Cats should be immunised against feline gastro enteritis and typhus.

There is no law against dogs fouling public places, however people are becoming increasingly sensitive about it and there are specific rules within certain places, such as urban parks.

Dogs should be kept on a lead in public places.

Generally, dogs are permitted on trains. Sometimes they may need to be contained in a pet carrier, or they may have to be muzzled. Dogs normally travel at half the fare of a 2nd class ticket; this charge is payable directly to the conductor. 

Veterinarians 

The standard of Spanish vets is considered to be very high. 

Buying & Owning a Pet

The seller of a domestic animal has to provide the following documents:

The new owner of the pet has to:

Regulated Animals

There are restrictions on owning certain breeds of dog and potentially dangerous animals. Laws are regulated by the Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas), which impose a wide variety of rules and regulations within the country. 

In general, the following are considered as dangerous animals and taken under specific conditions: 

Potentially Dangerous Dogs

The Spanish authorities have declared the following breeds or cross-breeds as potentially dangerous dogs when over 3 months of age:

• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Mallorquin Bulldog (Perro de Presa Mallorquín)
• Fila Brasileiro (Fila Brasileño)
• Perro de Presa Canario / Canary Dog
• Bullmastiff,
• American Pitbull Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Bull Terrier
• French Mastiff / Bordeaux Bulldog (Dogo de Burdeos)
• Japanese Tosa / Tosa Inu
• Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino)
• Doberman
• Neapolitan Mastiff 

Other dogs, falling into certain criteria of size, muscularity, strength and aggression may also be considered dangerous and require authorisation for ownership. 

Owning a dangerous dog in Spain

A person wanting to keep a "potentially dangerous" dog is required to get this authorisation from the Town Hall of residence, and provide the following documents:

• Proof that you are over 18 years of age
• Proof that you have no criminal convictions
• Show you are mentally and physically capable of looking after one of these animals. (There are special centre's where you can get a certificate of physical and psychological aptitude.)
• An insurance contract for the dog with a liability of at least €120,000
• Proof of fully up-to-date vaccinations
• Proof of microchip

Note: In most municipalities, only one dog may be registered to one person. The property where the dogs are kept must be enclosed by a two metres high barrier.

Walking may only be with one dog per person. The dog must be: 

• on a chain link lead (not leather) of maximum one metre in length
• muzzled at all times when out

Animals Lost & Found Pets

If you find a pet in Spain, you should:

• Take the animal to a local vet who will check if it is identified
• If it's not identified you may keep it. If you don't want to keep it, contact SPA (Sociedad Protectora de Animals) to ask for help.
• The last option is to take the animal to the public kennels (Perrera municipals), where, if nobody wants it and it is unclaimed within 13 days, it will be put down.

If you loose a pet in Spain you should

• Contact your vet and give the pet's identification number
• Contact AIAC (Archivo de Identificación de Animales de Compañía) Tel: 902 170 401
• Report the animal missing at the local police station, and provide a photograph and description
• of the pet
• Contact SPA (Sociedad Protectora de Animals) to ask for help.

Animal Organisations

Awareness of animal abuse is growing, and even though regulations are not consistent throughout the country, more and more organisations are claiming animal rights and there have been cases of people being fined for abusing animals

There are many organisations that take care of animals in Spain. See these websites for lists of the various SPAs and other organisations. 

For a comprehensive list with contact information and web-links see the Protection des Animaux website