From the EU
EU pet passport
Your pet normally needs a readable microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a correctly completed EU pet passport.
Practical relocation guide
Moving to Spain with your pet.
From microchips and rabies vaccinations to flights, local vets and finding a pet-friendly home: this guide explains the practical steps for bringing a dog, cat or ferret to Spain.
Start early
The paperwork is manageable when you prepare it in the right order.
Spain welcomes pets, but the rules depend on where you travel from, the species, the animal's age and whether the journey is a private move or a commercial transfer. Dogs, cats and ferrets are covered by harmonised EU pet-travel rules.
The safest approach is to speak to your vet before booking travel. Confirm the microchip number, rabies vaccination date and travel document first. Then check the airline, ferry company or route requirements separately.
This guide focuses on non-commercial travel with up to five dogs, cats or ferrets. Birds, rabbits, reptiles and other species have different requirements and should be checked with the Spanish authorities.
From Great Britain
Animal health certificate
Travellers from England, Scotland and Wales should follow current GOV.UK guidance and normally arrange an animal health certificate before EU entry.
From other non-EU countries
Check the country category
An official health certificate and entry through an authorised travellers’ point may be required. Some countries also require a rabies antibody test and additional waiting time.
Before you travel
Your essential pet travel checklist.
Complete the health and identity requirements before confirming a non-refundable journey. The order matters: the microchip must be recorded before the first rabies vaccination is considered valid for travel.
1. Check the microchip
Ask your vet to scan it, confirm the number and make sure the same number appears in every travel document.
2. Confirm rabies cover
The vaccination must be valid on the travel date. After a first vaccination, a waiting period of at least 21 days normally applies.
3. Arrange the correct document
Use an EU pet passport for qualifying EU travel or the required official health certificate when arriving from a non-EU country.
4. Check the route
Confirm the authorised entry point, airline or ferry rules, carrier dimensions, temperature restrictions and check-in time.
5. Carry originals
Travel with original documents, vaccination records, ownership details and any written authorisation if another person accompanies the pet.
6. Plan the return journey
Return rules may be different. Check them before leaving home, especially when returning to Great Britain or travelling onward.
Travelling from the EU
Microchip, rabies vaccination and EU pet passport.
For a dog, cat or ferret entering Spain from another EU country, the core requirements are a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport completed by an authorised vet.
Spain does not allow an exemption for unvaccinated young dogs, cats or ferrets. The animal must normally be at least 12 weeks old for the first rabies vaccination, followed by a minimum 21-day waiting period. The usual minimum entry age is therefore 15 weeks.
Private pet travel normally covers up to five animals and must not involve a sale or change of ownership. The owner or authorised person should accompany the pet; additional documentation and timing rules apply when they travel separately.
England, Scotland and Wales
Allow time for the animal health certificate.
Your pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. Current GOV.UK guidance says residents of Great Britain should arrange an animal health certificate for travel to the EU. The certificate is time-limited, so book the veterinary appointment around your confirmed travel date.
Northern Ireland follows a different process. Always use the official guidance that applies to the place you are travelling from.
Other non-EU countries
The country of departure determines the extra steps.
You may need an official animal health certificate, a written declaration and entry through an authorised travellers' point. If the departure country is not on the relevant EU list, a rabies antibody test may also be required.
When a rabies blood test is required, strict vaccination, blood-sampling and waiting periods apply. Start several months before the intended move and confirm the latest category of your departure country with the Spanish authorities.
Choosing how to travel
Flying, driving or taking the ferry to Spain.
By air
Airlines decide whether pets travel in the cabin or hold. Weight limits, carrier sizes, breed restrictions and seasonal heat policies vary. Reserve the pet space before finalising your own ticket.
By car
Plan regular water and rest stops, secure the animal safely and never leave a pet in a parked vehicle. Check the pet-entry rules for every country on the route, not only Spain.
By ferry
Pet cabins, kennels and deck-access rules differ by vessel. Check whether your animal can remain with you, what equipment is required and where exercise breaks are permitted.
After arrival
Help your pet settle into life in Spain.
Arrange an appointment with a local vet soon after moving. The vet can scan the microchip, review vaccinations and parasite prevention, explain regional registration and help transfer the animal's records where needed.
Municipal requirements differ. For example, Alicante requires dogs that spend more than three months per year in the city to be entered in the municipal pet census. Check the town hall rules for your actual municipality.
Build a new routine gradually. Summer heat can change suitable walking times, surfaces become hot and access rules for beaches, parks, transport and shared residential areas vary locally.
Local vet
Choose a clinic before you need urgent help.
Microchip details
Keep your Spanish address and phone number current.
Home and garden
Check shade, fencing, balconies and outdoor safety.
Local rules
Confirm leads, beaches, parks, transport and registration.
Finding a pet-friendly home
The right property should also work for your pet's daily life.
A beautiful villa or apartment is not automatically practical for a dog or cat. Consider the surrounding roads, walking routes, garden boundaries, stairs, lift access, balcony safety, shade and distance to a veterinary clinic.
In an apartment complex, review the community rules before buying or renting. In a rural property, check fencing, access, nearby livestock and how easily you can reach everyday services.
Explore Costa Blanca regionsAdd this to your property checklist
- Safe garden boundaries and gates
- Shade and cool indoor areas
- Walkable surroundings away from heavy traffic
- Practical floors, stairs, lifts and entrances
- Community rules for pets in shared buildings
- Nearby veterinary and emergency care
- Access to parks, trails or permitted dog areas
Important for some dog owners
Check potentially dangerous dog rules before moving.
Spain has additional rules for dogs classified as potentially dangerous. Depending on the dog and municipality, these can include a local licence, registration, liability insurance and mandatory handling measures in public. Do not rely only on the breed name: crosses, physical characteristics and previous behaviour may also be relevant. Confirm the requirements with the town hall before arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before moving to Spain with a pet.
Can I take my dog or cat to Spain from another EU country?
Yes. Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling to Spain from another EU country normally need a readable microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. The microchip must be implanted before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination.
How old must a puppy or kitten be to enter Spain?
Spain does not accept unvaccinated dogs, cats or ferrets. A first rabies vaccination can normally be given from 12 weeks of age, followed by a waiting period of at least 21 days. This means the usual minimum age for entry is 15 weeks.
What do I need when travelling from England, Scotland or Wales?
Follow the current GOV.UK pet-travel process. Your pet must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, and you will normally need an animal health certificate issued by an authorised vet before entering the EU. Always recheck the official rules before booking.
Can my pet fly in the aircraft cabin?
Possibly. Each airline sets its own carrier dimensions, weight limits, route restrictions and fees. Cabin places for pets are limited, so contact the airline before buying a non-refundable ticket.
Do I need to register my dog after moving to Spain?
Local and regional requirements apply after arrival. A Spanish vet can check the microchip, health record and local registration requirements. Some municipalities also require a municipal pet census. Check the rules of the town where you will live.
Are dogs welcome on beaches and in restaurants in Spain?
Rules vary by municipality, beach, season and business. Some towns have designated dog beaches or seasonal access, while many restaurants welcome dogs on outdoor terraces. Check local signs and municipal rules rather than assuming access is permitted.
Are there extra rules for certain dogs?
Yes. Dogs classified as potentially dangerous may require a municipal licence, registration, liability insurance and specific handling measures such as a muzzle and short non-extendable lead in public. Breed and classification rules can also vary locally.
Check the official rules before travel
Pet travel rules, entry-point lists and airline conditions can change. Recheck the official sources shortly before departure and ask your vet to confirm that the documents match your exact journey.
Moving with more confidence
Find a home that works for you and your pet.
Nordic Move helps international buyers compare regions, select suitable properties and coordinate the journey from first orientation to arrival on the Costa Blanca.