Pets
Bringing pets to Spain
The requirements for bringing a dog, cat or ferret to Spain from inside or outside the EU.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15A rabies antibody titre test, where required, must generally be done well before travel and the pet must wait a minimum period afterwards before entry — plan several months ahead if travelling from a country where this applies.
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
Bringing a pet to Spain means meeting specific EU or non-EU entry requirements, covering microchipping, rabies vaccination and, for some countries, additional testing. Getting this right before you travel avoids being turned away or facing quarantine.
Requirements
- Applies to dogs, cats and ferrets — other animals may have different rules
- Requirements differ depending on whether you're travelling from within the EU or from a non-EU (third) country
Step-by-step process
- Ensure your pet has an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before (or at the same time as) its rabies vaccination — the order matters for the vaccination to count
- Get your pet vaccinated against rabies, and confirm the vaccination is valid (not expired, and administered after the microchip) at the time of travel
- For EU travel, obtain an EU pet passport from an authorised vet, containing your pet's microchip and vaccination details
- For travel from a non-EU country without an EU passport, obtain a veterinary health certificate from an official vet in the country of origin, and check whether your departure country requires a rabies antibody titre test (a blood test showing sufficient immunity) taken well in advance of travel
Required documents
- EU pet passport (EU travel) or official veterinary health certificate (non-EU travel)
- Proof of microchip and valid rabies vaccination
- Rabies antibody titre test result, if required for your country of origin
Common mistakes
- Vaccinating for rabies before the microchip is implanted — the vaccination generally isn't considered valid if it happened first
- Leaving a required titre test until close to the travel date, not accounting for the waiting period it requires afterwards
Practical tips
- Start the process months in advance if coming from a non-EU country, particularly one requiring a titre test
- Airlines have their own additional pet travel requirements and limits — confirm with your specific carrier alongside the entry requirements
How Tuchati can help
If you're planning to bring a pet and want to make sure you're not missing a step for your specific country of origin, Tuchati can help you check the requirements.