Bringing pets to Spain

Documents to prepare

• Per-animal file: species, age, identification record and the passport or official certificate required for that origin; keep numbers outside SpainForm.
• Veterinary record of rabies vaccination and any route-specific tests, with dates checked against the planned journey.
• Owner itinerary, pet itinerary and any written authorization; identify the first entry point into the EU and all transit countries.
• Carrier's written transport requirements, booking, suitable travel arrangements and destination-veterinarian contact.

Steps in order

1. 1Identify the animal and the complete itinerary, including the first EU border and planned dates.
2. 2Confirm whether the movement qualifies for the non-commercial pet route; sale/adoption and separated travel need different assessment.
3. 3Ask the veterinarian to check the identification sequence, rabies validity, age and any origin-dependent tests or waiting periods.
4. 4Use the current MAPA country route and certificate model; ask the competent authority who signs/endorses it and when.
5. 5Coordinate the carrier and, where applicable, the authorized entry point and declaration/control arrangements before booking irrevocable travel.
6. 6Have the veterinarian/authority recheck the documents against the final travel date; carry the required originals and authorization.
7. 7After arrival, ask a local veterinarian about regional identification registration, contact details and municipal obligations.

After submitting

• Keep travel/entry records and confirm the local registration result for this animal.
• Update owner contact details with the relevant animal register; a new passport or owner address does not automatically update every registry.
• For future travel, recheck destination, transit and return rules before departure.

Useful question in Spanish

Voy a trasladar a mi mascota a España. ¿Pueden revisar los requisitos vigentes para su especie, edad, país de origen, tránsito y fechas, incluidos identificación, vacunas, certificado, controles de entrada y registro posterior?