Admission of pets from abroad

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Information of interest

What do you need to know?

It is a procedure to obtain the certificates and requirements necessary for pets to enter Spain. 

Pets are understood to be dogs, cats, ferrets and domestic birds that are not farm birds.

The purpose is to prevent the spread of potentially contagious diseases and ensure the protection of human and animal health.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Entry requirements vary depending on whether the animal comes from an European Union (EU) member country or not.

If all the requirements are not complied with, the animal may be held in quarantine, or returned to its country of origin, or even, as a last resort, put down.

Who does it apply to?

To individuals who own pets who travel to Spain with them.

To be considered as a non-commercial movement of a pet, the following requirements must be met:

  • They may not be taken to Spain for a commercial purpose, nor to transfer ownership.
  • A maximum of five animals can be brought, all accompanied by the owner or person responsible for them, who will be responsible for them during the journey. Animals can travel in a separate means of transport from their owner within no more than five days of travel of the owner or person responsible for them.
  • All animals must be vaccinated and comply with applicable healthcare requirements, all evidenced by the respective supporting documents.

What requirements must be met?

The health requirements vary depending on whether the animal comes from a member country of the EU or not. These are general requirements that may vary depending on the animal being transported, its age and medical history, and the country of origin. You are advised to consult the country of origin's consulate or diplomatic mission directly.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR CATS, DOGS AND FERRETS ORIGINATING FROM AN EU MEMBER STATE

  • They must be identified by a microchip or a tattoo (done prior to 3/7/2011).
  • Having a European passport for travelling with pets. To fill in your passport correctly, you will need to consult Annexe I of the Instructions on bringing dogs, cats and ferrets into Spain from other Member States
  • They must have had the rabies vaccination. If it is the first time the animal has been vaccinated, you must wait 21 days before being able to travel. In any case, pets cannot be vaccinated until they are at least 12 weeks old.
  • Dogs, cats and ferrets under 15 weeks of age will not be authorized to enter Spain.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR CATS, DOGS AND FERRETS ORIGINATING FROM A NON-EU COUNTRY

  • Identification from a microchip or a tattoo (done prior to 3/7/2011).
  • Rabies vaccination.
  • If the pet comes from a country not listed in Annex II of Regulation (UE) 577/2013, it must have undergone a serological test against rabies in an authorized laboratory.
    • In cases where the pet does not have a European passport, they must obtain:
    • An animal health certificate, signed by an official veterinarian of the non-EU country. This certificate must be presented at least in Spanish.
    • A declaration, according to the EU model (also applicable to the animal health certificate).
    • A certified copy of the animal's identification and vaccination data.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC BIRDS OTHER THAN POULTRY ORIGINATING FROM AN EU MEMBER STATE

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC BIRDS OTHER THAN POULTRY ORIGINATING FROM A NON-EU COUNTRY

  • The animal must have:
  • As regards these birds, one of the four options set out in the veterinary certificate must also be complied with:
    • Before they are brought into the country, they must remain in isolation under official control  for at least thirty days in their country of origin.
    • After they are brought into the country, they must remain in quarantine in an authorised facility for thirty days.
    • They must have been vaccinated within the last six months and no later than sixty days prior to travel. Remember that they must have been re-vaccinated against bird flu at least once.
    • They must have remained in isolation for fourteen days before their travel abroad and have been given a bird-flu genome or H5 and H7 antigen detection test. This test must be carried out with a sample taken no earlier than the seventh day of isolation.

What do you need to do?

If you wish to bring your pet, you will have to carry out the formalities in your country of origin. Your pet must basically be vaccinated and have the necessary health certificates.

What steps must you follow?

Before travelling to Spain

  • You are advised to consult a vet and the country of origin’s consulate or diplomatic mission before you travel to Spanish territory allowing a sufficient amount of time:
    • If you come from an EU member state, a minimum of two months prior to travelling.
    • If you are travelling from outside the EU, it is advisable to do so earlier.
  • You must ensure that the animal meets all requirements established beforehand (depending on the case). 

 

Upon arrival in Spain

  • Present the documents showing that the pet meets all the established requirements.
    • If you bring the animal from a member state of the EU, the documentation must be presented at customs if they require it.
    • If you bring the animal from a third country, you must do so through one of the designated Traveler Entry Points (PEV). There is one PEV at the international airport of Barcelona. You must also make a declaration before the Guardia Civil Fiscal Control Unit that you are travelling with a pet, producing the corresponding documents.
  • If you own dogs, cats, ferrets or other wild animals in captivity, the first step you need to take to prove your ownership once you arrive in the city of Barcelona is to register them in the register of pets and wild animals in captivity.

How much does it cost?

This formality is free of charge.

Want to know more?

Further information

Consult Travelling with pets 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The procedures tend to change frequently. Therefore, only what is provided by the regulations in force at the time of carrying out the procedure in question is applicable.