When entering Spain, you will have to go through a Traveller’s Point of Entry (TPE). Find a list of the Spanish TPE here. You will declare to the Resguardo Fiscal de la Guardia Civil (Guardia Civil Office) that you are travelling with a pet, and present the pet’s documentation.

If your pet does not have a European Pet Passport, it must be accompanied by:

• an animal health certificate, (which must be signed by an official veterinarian of the origin country, and presented in Spanish alone, or Spanish together with the language(s) of that country) Find a model of the certificate here

• a written declaration stating that its transfer is not due to commercial reasons. This declaration is also necessary if your pet travels under the responsibility of a person authorised by you

Both the certificate and the declaration must be in accordance with European models

• a certified copy of the identification and vaccination data of the animal.

In addition, your pet will have to:

• be identified with a microchip, or a legible tattoo (if it was done before 03/07/2011)

• be vaccinated against rabies with a valid vaccine at the time of travel. You must wait 21 days to travel after your pet is vaccinated. Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination. You do not need to wait to travel after a booster vaccination if there has been no break in the vaccine cover.

Your pet will need a new animal health certificate each time you enter Spain issued within 10 days of entry.

Rabies serological test

If your pet enters Spain from a country not listed in Annex II to Regulation 577/2013 here, the pet must have undergone a Rabies Serological test in an approved laboratory.

At least 30 days after vaccination against rabies (in the case of first vaccination) a blood sample must be taken from the animal to verify that the level of post-vaccination antibodies is sufficient (equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml).

(See updated list of approved laboratories here. The entry of the animal is only authorised after 3 months from the date of the blood sample collection.

Minimum Age of Your Pet upon entry

The minimum age if travelling from a country without rabies risk (within the EU or countries listed in Annex II to Regulation 577/2013 here) is 15 weeks. In practical terms, your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before being vaccinated against rabies, then wait at least 21 days (the period in which immunity is established) before being able to travel.

Spain does not grant exceptions to these rules, nor does it authorise the entry of unvaccinated dogs, cats, and ferrets.

The maximum number of pets that can travel with you within the EU or into Spain from a non-EU country, is five. Travelling with more than five pets requires you to follow commercial regulations here.

Living with your pet in Spain

If you have an EU pet passport issued by an EU Member State, it can be used to travel to other EU countries and also to the UK. If you live in the EU or travel often between the UK and the EU with your pet, one way to be prepared is to get an EU pet passport from your host EU country.

Most importantly, you should find an official vet that can guide you through the process and give you proper guidance.

For full information, please visit the Spanish Government website here

There is different guidance if you’re taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to the UK. Visit the UK Government website here for full information