Moving to Spain with a dog or cat: paperwork, travel and settling in

Updated: October 2026

Bringing a dog or cat to Spain takes more planning than booking your own flight. This guide is for anyone moving with a pet, whether from another EU country, the UK or further afield. It walks you through the timeline, the travel options, your first weeks after arrival and the health risks that are specific to the Spanish climate. For the legal side of owning a pet here, see our separate guide to Spain’s animal welfare law.

Start with the paperwork timeline

The entry rules for dogs, cats and ferrets are set at EU level, so they are the same whether you land in Málaga, Madrid or Barcelona. What changes is how long the preparation takes, and that depends on where you are coming from.

Coming from	Document	Plan ahead
Another EU country	EU pet passport	At least 3–4 weeks if the rabies vaccine is new
UK and other “listed” countries	Animal health certificate	At least 3–4 weeks, certificate issued within 10 days of arrival
Countries that need a rabies blood test	Animal health certificate plus lab report	4 months or more

The basic sequence is the same for everyone:

1. Microchip: an ISO-standard microchip must be implanted before, or on the same day as, the rabies vaccination. A vaccine given before the chip does not count.
2. Rabies vaccine: the animal must be at least 12 weeks old. After the first vaccination you wait at least 21 days before travelling. Spain does not accept unvaccinated puppies or kittens.
3. Blood test (some countries only): if you come from a country with a higher rabies risk, a blood sample is taken at least 30 days after vaccination, tested in an EU-approved laboratory, and you then wait three months before entry.
4. Travel document: an EU pet passport for EU residents, or an animal health certificate from an official vet for everyone else, together with a signed declaration that the move is not commercial.

You can bring up to five dogs, cats or ferrets per person on a non-commercial move. Spain does not require tapeworm treatment for dogs on arrival, but other countries on your route might. The Spanish agriculture ministry answers common questions in its pet travel FAQ (in Spanish), and the European Commission explains the rules for bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country.

Moving from the UK

Pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for travel to the EU. Each trip needs an animal health certificate, which your vet in the UK issues and which must be used within 10 days. Check the latest details on GOV.UK’s pet travel page before you book, as the rules have changed several times since Brexit. Once you live in Spain, a Spanish vet can issue an EU pet passport, which makes future trips much easier.

Choosing how to travel

• By car: often the least stressful option for larger dogs and multi-pet households. Plan breaks every few hours, never leave the animal in a parked car in warm weather and book pet-friendly hotels along the route in advance.
• By ferry: routes from the UK and Italy to Spain usually offer kennels or pet-friendly cabins, but these sell out early in summer. Ask exactly where the animal stays during the crossing.
• By plane in the cabin: many airlines allow a small dog or cat in an approved soft carrier under the seat. Each airline sets its own weight limit and number of pets per flight, so reserve the pet place when you book.
• By plane in the hold: larger animals travel as checked baggage or cargo in an IATA-approved crate. Some airlines restrict snub-nosed breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats, and some limit hold transport in hot months.
• Pet relocation companies: useful for long-haul moves. Get a written quote that lists what is included.

Pets arriving from outside the EU must come through a designated travellers’ point of entry, where documents and the microchip can be checked. Not every Spanish airport or port is one, so confirm your arrival point with your airline or ferry company. Keep the original documents in your hand luggage, not in a suitcase.

Finding a home that accepts pets

The rental market is the biggest practical hurdle for many pet owners. Many landlords exclude animals in the contract, and the rules of a building’s community of owners can limit pets in shared areas such as gardens and pools. Mention your pet from the first contact, offer references from a previous landlord and expect that some landlords will ask for a higher deposit or additional guarantee. Read the pet clause carefully before signing. Our guide to renting in Spain as a foreigner covers contracts and deposits in more detail.

For dogs, a ground-floor flat with a terrace or a house with a fenced garden makes daily life easier. Check where the nearest green space is: many town centres have few parks, and dogs are generally banned from beaches outside designated dog beaches.

Your first weeks in Spain

1. Register with a local vet. Bring all vaccination records. The vet can enter your pet’s microchip in the regional animal registry, which every autonomous community runs (in Andalucía it is the RAIA).
2. Check your town hall. Many ayuntamientos keep a municipal pet census and have by-laws on leads, dog mess and beaches. Ask about it when you sign up for the padrón, since you will be at the town hall anyway.
3. Get liability cover. Third-party insurance for dogs is written into national law but still awaits its implementing regulation. Owners of potentially dangerous breeds already need a licence and insurance. Even if it is not compulsory for your dog yet, cover is sensible and often cheap to add to home insurance. Vet bills are a separate matter: pet health insurance is worth comparing, and Petplan (ad) offers policies for dogs in Spain.
4. Ask about an EU pet passport. If you arrived with a non-EU certificate, your new vet can issue one once your pet’s details are registered.

Health risks to know about

Spain’s warm climate brings parasites and hazards that pets from northern Europe may never have met. Talk to your new vet about a prevention plan in the first weeks.

• Leishmaniasis: a serious disease spread to dogs by sandflies, common in much of Spain. Vets usually recommend repellent collars or spot-ons during the warm months, and there are vaccines. Ask whether an annual blood test makes sense.
• Pine processionary caterpillars: in late winter and spring, these caterpillars walk in lines near pine trees. Their hairs can cause severe reactions in a dog’s mouth and tongue. Keep dogs away and see a vet immediately if your dog touches one.
• Ticks, fleas and heartworm: year-round protection is common in southern Spain, where winters are mild.
• Heat: walk dogs early in the morning and late in the evening in summer, test pavement temperature with your hand and always carry water. Our heatwave safety guide explains Spain’s heat warnings.
• Foxtails: dry grass seeds (espigas) can work their way into ears, paws and noses in late spring and summer. Check your dog after walks in the countryside.

Everyday life with a pet in Spain

Spain is increasingly pet-friendly. Many terraces welcome dogs, some shopping centres and shops allow them inside, and dog beaches are spreading along the coast. Public transport rules vary: small pets in carriers are usually allowed on buses and trains, while larger dogs face more restrictions depending on the operator and city. Dogs must be on a lead in most urban areas, and owners are expected to pick up after their dog and, in many towns, rinse urine with water. Fines for ignoring local rules can be significant.

Useful links

• Your Europe: travelling with pets – EU pet passport and the five-pet limit
• European Commission: bringing a pet from a non-EU country
• Spanish agriculture ministry: pet travel FAQ (Spanish)
• GOV.UK: taking your pet abroad
• Spain’s animal welfare law: what pet owners must know
• Renting in Spain as a foreigner
• Home insurance in Spain

FAQ: moving to Spain with a pet

Can I bring a puppy or kitten under 12 weeks to Spain?

No. Spain does not allow unvaccinated dogs, cats or ferrets to enter. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated against rabies and then wait 21 days, so the minimum age on arrival is about 15 weeks.

Is my UK pet passport still valid?

Not for entering the EU. Pets from Great Britain need an animal health certificate for each trip. After you move, a Spanish vet can issue an EU pet passport.

How many pets can I bring?

Up to five dogs, cats or ferrets per person on a non-commercial move. More than five is only allowed for registered competitions, shows or sporting events.

Do I need to register my pet after moving?

Yes. Ask a local vet to record the microchip in your region’s animal registry, and check whether your town hall also runs a pet census.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not veterinary or legal advice. Pet travel rules, airline policies and local by-laws can change – always check with your vet, carrier and the official sources before you travel.