For many pet owners, cats, dogs and other animals are considered part of the family, and the decision to move to another country involves equal consideration of pet entry requirements. To ensure pet transfer from the UK to Spain runs as smoothly as possible, owners should be familiar with legal issues and logistical aspects from the outset, particularly as some steps are time critical. Fines for non-compliance to animal regulations can vary from 500 euros to 200,000 euros depending on the severity of the breach.

Types of pets allowed entry to Spain

Key legislation which regulates the keeping of pets in the home is the Spanish Animal Welfare Law (2023). This law determines which animals may be brought into and kept in Spain as well as legal aspects to ensure their welfare.

Dogs, cats and ferrets are considered domesticated, along with animals such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. Examples of exclusions include farmyard, venomous and most wild animals, and some bird species.

Any owners considering bringing their pets to Spain should consult the national Spanish law as well as individual municipality by-laws. Different regions can vary on which animals are permissible or how they are handled.

Even for animals classed as domesticated, some exotic species or crossbreeds may be disallowed. Reptiles such as iguanas and non-venomous snakes must not exceed 2kg in weight. Dogs considered potentially dangerous (regardless of breed, though including Staffordshire Terriers and Rottweilers) must be muzzled, have third party liability insurance and are subject to special licencing arrangements.

Up to 5 pets per owner are allowed to enter Spain, unless the entry is for the purpose of a sporting event or other competition.

Implanted microchip identification

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be microchipped. Throughout the UK, microchipping is compulsory for all dogs within eight weeks of birth. In England specifically, cats should be chipped by 20 weeks. There is no legal requirement as yet (2025) in Scotland or Wales, although there are active campaigns for this rule to be changed.

According to Ley Proteccion los Animales regulations, Spanish law dictates that all cats and dogs entering or born in the country must be microchipped. Chips should be ISO 11784/11785 compliant and contain an internationally recognisable 15-digit ID. If the existing chip is not ISO compliant, it will require changing before travel. Veterinary records should be consulted to confirm the type of implanted microchip.

All pets will be scanned on entry. They should also be registered on a central database held by the relevant Spanish municipality. Certain areas of Spain have a significant stray dog problem, and chipping increases the likelihood of reunion with owners when lost animals are scanned by local welfare groups. Owners should be aware that pet abandonment is deemed a criminal offence. For this reason, there is a legal obligation to inform the register in any changing situations including the loss or death of a pet.

Rabies vaccination

This is also required but can only be carried out after microchipping, as the chip ID is recorded on the rabies vaccination certificate. Animals must be at least 12 weeks old before they are able to be vaccinated. Rabies vaccination in the UK usually lasts 3 years, so this may be able to be done well in advance of moving. Once the pet has been relocated, more frequent boosters are required under Spanish law. This may vary from once a year to every 2 years.

The Animal Health Certificate

The pet passport issued in the UK have not been valid for entry to Spain since the rules changed after Brexit. It has now been replaced by the Animal Health Certificate (AHC), which is certified by a vet who has been approved by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The UK AHC demonstrates that the pet has an appropriate health and vaccination status. Application for the AHC will be by appointment with your vet. Evidence of rabies protection will be needed via a vaccination certificate, which includes the animal’s microchip ID.

Coordination and the timing of rabies vaccination and AHC application is crucial, particularly in young animals. Bear in mind that pets must be old enough to have had their rabies vaccination, and that a minimum 3-week post vaccination period is required before AHC issue. Furthermore, the AHC is valid only for outward travel undertaken within 10-days of the date of issue. Appointments and likely wait / turnaround times for the AHC certification should be discussed with your vet in advance. The AHC remains valid for a trip back to the UK (if needed) for up to 4 months.

Full details of documentation these requirements can be found on the website of Ministerjo de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion under “Movement of Pets”.

The AHC paperwork (and rabies vaccination certificate) will require translation into Spanish. Should the pet be transported over land from the UK (usually via France), additional translations through additional points of entry will be necessary. Dual English/Spanish and English/French AHCs are often available as an option at certification, without the need for independent translation.

An accompanying translated statement is also required that the pet is not being transferred for commercial gain.

Modes and logistics of pet travel

Airlines vary in whether they transport pets and in specific requirements, as these can. In particular, some popular budget airlines often do not offer a pet service. Where pets are permitted, some airlines allow travel with their owners in the cabin in locked and approved travel carriers. Others may only allow travel in the cargo hold.

Ground travel may be an alternative for owners who feel that a noisy flight, prolonged processing or separation may be more stressful for their pet. From the UK this usually involves a ferry crossing or Eurotunnel, plus overland car travel through France. Cross channel ferries may have dedicated pet-holding facilities. Pet transportation services also exist to transport your animal and deal with passport and health certificate administration at customs.

At present, quarantine at the point of entry is not routinely required for cats, dogs and some other animals.

Cost implications

At 2025 prices, AHCs cost around £100 per animal. Discounts are often offered if more than one pet is travelling. Some services offer urgent turnaround times at higher cost.

Costs associated with the mode of transfer also vary. Transfer with the owner is generally the cheapest option. Airline costs for pets are usually cheaper than a regular passenger ticket. The Eurotunnel charge is £22 per pet. Using the services of a pet transportation company from within the UK may add an additional £300 to £3,000 per animal.

Cultura will explore details of ongoing pet healthcare, registration and welfare regulations after Spanish relocation in a future article. For more advice visit Gov.uk