Pets. Companion animals

A pet is defined as:

• Those that lack a commercial purpose and that travel accompanying their owner or a representative of the owner
• The maximum number of animals that can travel with one person is five (there are exceptions)

The following are considered pets for the purposes of entry into/exit from the European Union:

• Dogs, cats and ferrets
• Pet birds
• Pet rodents, rabbits and reptiles

Poultry are NOT considered pets.

Primates are NOT considered pets.

The number of animals that can be transported without being considered a commercial batch is the following:

• Five: dogs, cats and ferrets. In Spain, the entry of dogs, cats and ferrets under 15 weeks of age is not permitted (3 months until they are vaccinated against rabies plus 21 days for the vaccine to be valid). To be sure of the conditions applicable in each country, please refer to the Related Content link provided on this page.
• Five: pet birds

For the rest of the species, a maximum number has not yet been set in the legislation, but to be considered pets they must comply with the definitions of Regulation (EU) 576/2013.

For dogs, cats and ferrets, the number could be higher than five if the animals are going to a contest, competition, or similar event, properly tested.

To bring a pet from a third country, you must enter with your pet through one of the designated Entry Points for travellers, and declare to the Tax Office of the Civil Guard that you are travelling with a pet, presenting the documentation for the pet. The authorized entry points are those designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and can be consulted at the following link .

The entry of a pet through a Customs Office that is not an Authorized Entry Point is not permitted, which will entail the re-shipment of the animal to its country of origin, without the need to notify other competent bodies.

In cases where a European passport is not available for the movement of pets, the animals must be accompanied by:

• A zoosanitary certificate, which must be signed by an official veterinarian of the third country, and presented at least in Spanish,
• and a declaration, both in accordance with EU models.
• Certified copy of the identification and vaccination data of the animal(s).

In addition, your pet must:

• Be identified with a microchip or tattoo (if done before 07/03/2011).
• Be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine valid at the time of travel.
• If you come from a country not listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 577/2013, you must have undergone a serological test against rabies. 

Pets must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate or passport model depending on their species:

• Dogs, cats and ferrets: Passport or certificate according to the model of Regulation-Regulation (EU) No. 576/2013 of 2013. If they come with a certificate, you must attach a statement from the owner or his representative.
• Birds: A zoosanitary certificate, signed by an official veterinarian of the third country, and presented at least in Spanish and a declaration, both in accordance with the EU models .
  
• Other species: The animal must be accompanied by a zoosanitary certificate, signed by an official veterinarian of the third country, or a declaration signed by the owner in the case of fish, and presented at least in Spanish, in accordance with the corresponding model :

A serological test against rabies must be carried out when the animal does NOT come from one of the third countries and territories listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 577/2013 .

• If you bring a passport, section V of the same must be filled out.
• If you bring a zoosanitary certificate, you must also bring a document from the laboratory authorized by the EU.

There are no harmonised rules. You should contact the country of destination through its embassy or consulate given that:

• The rules are set by the destination country.
• The European passport is often accepted as proof of rabies vaccination, but the duration of validity of the vaccine may vary from country to country.
• Not everyone requires a health certificate
• Legalization of the health certificate and passport may be required by the official veterinary services of the country of origin.

You must enter Spain with your pet through one of the Traveler Entry Points designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (you will find them at the following link ) and declare to the Tax Office of the Civil Guard that you are traveling with a pet, presenting the documentation for the same. The entry of a pet through a Customs Office that is not an Authorized Entry Point is not permitted, which will entail the re-shipment of the animal to its country of origin, without the need to notify other competent bodies.

If you are travelling to one of the third countries listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 577/2013, your pet must meet the following requirements to return:

• Without prejudice, where applicable, to the application of CITES regulations and regulations on invasive species, pets must be correctly identified (microchip or tattoo, if this is clearly legible and carried out before 3 July 2011) and be accompanied by a veterinary certificate in accordance with the model established in the applicable legislation.

• In the case of dogs, cats and ferrets, this certificate may be replaced by an EU pet passport, which will show identification and valid rabies vaccinations for the animals. It should be noted that a serological test for rabies is mandatory when the animal comes from countries with a risk of rabies; said test must have a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.

  If you are travelling to a country not included in Annex II (country at risk of rabies), you must meet the requirements mentioned above and also:

  • Your pet must have a serology test for rabies in an authorised laboratory before travelling.

  • The result of this test will be reflected by your veterinarian in the passport and must be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.

  • The entry of the animal will only be authorized after 3 months from the date of extraction of the blood sample.

  • Due to the time requirements for vaccination, the minimum age of an animal coming from a country with a risk of rabies will be 7 months.

If the animal moves from a country within the European Union to a third country and then returns, this three-month period will not apply if the assessment is carried out with a favourable result before the animal leaves the territory of the European Union. This information will be recorded in the animal's passport.

Failure to comply with any of the requirements for crossing the border with the European Union may result in pets being held in quarantine facilities, returned to the country of origin or even, as a last resort, euthanasia of the animal.

The owner of the animal must bear the costs incurred.

Since 1 January 2021, all pets arriving from Great Britain and its dependencies (excluding Northern Ireland and Gibraltar) must be brought in through an airport or port authorised as a Point of Entry for Travellers. Dogs, cats and ferrets must:

• Be identified.
• Present a valid rabies vaccination.
• Be accompanied by a Health Certificate or a European pet passport (passports issued in Great Britain are NOT valid).
• A rabies antibody assessment is NOT necessary.

To return to Great Britain it will be necessary:

1. Perform antiparasitic treatment between days 1-5 before the trip
2. Submit one of these documents: Health Certificate with which you traveled to Spain, European pet passport or British pet passport
3. It is NOT necessary to perform a rabies antibody assessment