Moving to Spain with Pets

Moving Pets to Spain: Overview

Spain welcomes pets. The country has high veterinary standards, pet-friendly beaches and parks, and a culture that embraces animals. Requirements depend on your home country and pet type.

EU Pets (from UK, France, Germany, etc.)

If your pet was born/registered in an EU country or post-Brexit UK (which follows EU rules), moving is straightforward:

• Document: EU pet passport
• Microchip: ISO 11784/85 microchip (€15-30)
• Rabies vaccination: Within 3-36 months of entry
• Cost: €100-200 total
• Quarantine: None if documentation valid

Non-EU Pets (US, Canada, Australia, etc.)

More complex; requires professional pet transport and health certificates:

• Transport: Air cargo or pet airline (€800-2,500)
• Health certificate: TRACES system (issued by vet)
• Microchip: Required
• Rabies vaccination: Timing required
• Additional (UK origin): Tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before entry
• Quarantine: None from most countries if documents valid

EU Pet Passport: What You Need

What Is an EU Pet Passport?

Official veterinary document listing:

• Pet's name, species, breed, color, distinguishing marks
• Owner's name and address
• Microchip number
• Vaccination records (rabies)
• Any medical treatments or allergies

Issued by your home country vet. Required for all EU pet travel.

Getting an EU Pet Passport

Timeline: Start 4-6 weeks before travel.

1. Microchip: If not already done, get pet microchipped (ISO standard). Cost: €15-30
2. Rabies vaccination: Get rabies vaccine; vet records it. Must be done after microchipping (microchip number on certificate)
3. Request passport: Ask vet for EU pet passport. They'll issue it (cost: €20-50, included in some vets' standard services)
4. Verify dates: Rabies vaccine must be valid at entry date. Passports are documents not expiring, but vaccinations do

Before EU Travel: Timing

• Rabies vaccine valid date: 3 weeks after injection until expiry (typically 1 year or 3 years)
• EU travel allowed: Anytime during valid vaccine period
• Don't be early: If you travel less than 3 weeks after rabies injection, you may be denied entry
• Don't be late: If vaccine has expired, entry denied

Non-EU Pet Transport: Professional Services

Health Certificate (TRACES System)

Non-EU pets need a health certificate issued through the TRACES system (Trade Control and Expert System). This is an EU system for import permits.

Process for Non-EU Pets

1. Contact a professional pet transport service (€1,000-2,500)
2. Book 6-8 weeks ahead (international flights are limited)
3. Pet transport service arranges TRACES permit with Spanish authorities
4. Vet completes health examination and issues certificate
5. Pet travels via airline cargo or professional pet airline
6. Pet arrives at Spanish quarantine facility (usually airport), then released
7. You pick up pet from airport or delivery location

Pet Transport Services

UK to Spain: Companies like Petrelocation, Animal Moves, Pet Travel Services.

US to Spain: International pet movers (similar services available).

Cost estimate (US to Spain): €1,500-2,500 for a medium dog or cat (includes transport, permits, vet checks).

Vaccination Timeline & Requirements

Rabies Vaccination (Essential)

• When: Can be done anytime before travel
• Valid from: 21 days after injection
• Duration: 1 year or 3 years (depending on vaccine)
• Document: Must be recorded in passport (EU) or health certificate (non-EU)
• Cost: €20-50

Other Vaccinations (Before Travel)

• DHPP/FVRCP: Recommended before travel (good timing for routine vaccines)
• Tapeworm treatment (UK origin only): Required 24-120 hours before entry (oral or injection from vet). Cost: €10-30
• Other treatments: No special requirements, but good practice to update

Airline & Transport Options

EU Travel (Car, Ferry, Budget Airlines)

• Drive with pet: Drive through France/Spain with pet in car (easiest for short distances). Just have EU passport. Cost: Car rental + fuel
• Ferry + drive: UK to Spain via ferry. Pet travels in car on ferry. Cost: Ferry fare + fuel (~€100-300)
• Budget airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, etc.): Allow small pets (under 5-8kg) in cabin for €50-100 fee. Large pets not accommodated

International Travel (Non-EU Pets)

• Full-service pet airlines (Lufthansa Cargo Pet, KLM PetSafe, etc.): Pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo. €1,200-2,500 depending on pet size
• Professional pet movers: Handle all logistics, permits, documents. €1,500-2,500
• Checked baggage: Some international airlines allow small pets in carrier as checked baggage. Risky and often not recommended (unpressurized hold, stress)

Registering Your Pet in Spain

Local Registration

Spain doesn't require national pet registration, but some municipalities do (check locally). More importantly:

• Find a vet: Register with local veterinarian (veterinario) immediately. Ask for recommendations locally
• Microchip and ID: Ensure microchip is registered with Spanish database (microchip company can update)
• EU passport update: Spanish vet can add Spanish vaccinations to passport
• Pet-friendly housing: Tell landlord you have a pet (usually requires pet deposit €100-300)

Vet Costs & Pet Care in Spain

Finding a Vet

Spain has excellent veterinary care. Search "veterinario" + your city online. Many vets speak English in major cities. Smaller towns expect Spanish.

Typical Vet Costs

• Initial exam: €40-80
• Annual vaccination: €20-40
• Microchip insertion: €15-30
• Dental cleaning: €100-300 (depends on sedation)
• Surgery: €200-1,000+ (depends on procedure)
• Emergency care: 24-hour emergency clinics available, costs €200-500+ initial

Pet insurance: Available in Spain (€20-50/month). Less common than in UK/US but options exist.

Pet-Friendly Living in Spain

Apartments & Rentals

Many apartments allow pets. When renting:

• Tell landlord upfront: Most are pet-friendly if informed in advance
• Pet deposit: Usually €100-300 or pet fee in monthly rent
• Signs in contract: Look for clauses about pet damage; usually standard wear covered
• Breed restrictions: Some buildings ban "dangerous" breeds (usually only applies to very large dogs)

Parks & Public Spaces

• Dog parks (parques para perros): Common in most cities, usually free
• Beaches: Many Spanish beaches allow dogs (especially off-season); check local rules
• Hiking: Dogs welcome on most trails
• Restaurants & cafés: Most allow dogs at outdoor seating (not indoors)

Quarantine: When Is It Required?

Generally: No quarantine from most countries if documentation (passport/health certificate, microchip, valid rabies vaccine) is complete.

Quarantine IS required if:

• Rabies vaccine missing, invalid, or improperly documented
• Microchip missing or non-compliant (wrong standard)
• Health certificate missing or invalid
• Pet showing signs of disease at border

Duration: If quarantine needed, typically 4 weeks (sometimes 12 weeks) at your expense.

FAQs: Moving Pets to Spain