Moving to Spain with a dog or cat
Spain is in the EU, so the EU rules on the Commission's Your Europe page apply: microchip, rabies vaccination, a travel document that depends on where you start, and no tapeworm treatment. Spain also keeps a national list of potentially dangerous dog breeds.
- Verified read on an official page (2026-10-19)
- Partly verified the official quote covers only part of it
- Not verified yet we could not confirm it on an official page
Planning help, not legal or veterinary advice. Rules change; confirm with the official authority and your vet before you travel.
My route
Checklist, in order
Microchip
VerifiedMicrochip required (readable tattoo only if applied before 3 July 2011)
been microchipped (in line with the technical requirements of Annex IV of the EU rules on the traceability of pets)
Rabies vaccination
VerifiedRabies vaccination required
been vaccinated against rabies
Rabies antibody blood test
Partly verifiedRequired when travelling from most non-EU countries
There are some exceptions, use the tool below to check if this is a requirement for the non-EU country you are travelling from
EU pet passport
VerifiedEU pet passport (intra-EU)
a valid European pet passport, when travelling from: an EU country or Northern Ireland to another EU country or Northern Ireland
EU animal health certificate
VerifiedEU animal health certificate from a non-EU country, issued not more than 10 days before arrival, valid 6 months or until rabies vaccination expires
certificate issued by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU
Tapeworm treatment
VerifiedNot required for Spain (only for destinations free of Echinococcus multilocularis: Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Northern Ireland)
where your destination area is free from this tapeworm (Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland)
Not verified yet: check the official page
We could not confirm these on an official page. Do not assume anything: ask the authority below. (2026-10-19)
- National maximum number of pets per traveller
- How long to wait between the rabies vaccination and travel, and any minimum age (not in our verified data)
- Whether your departure country needs the rabies antibody blood test (use the Commission's tool)
Official pages
Number of pets and breed rules
Maximum number of pets
Partly verifiedNot verified yet: no numeric limit stated on the EU page; EU rules apply to private journeys without sale or change of ownership
apply to private journeys which do not involve a change of ownership or sale
Banned or restricted breeds
VerifiedSpain: potentially dangerous dogs listed in Annex I of Real Decreto 287/2002 (incl. Pit Bull Terrier); max one such dog per person in public places
a) Los que pertenezcan a las razas relacionadas en el anexo I del presente real decreto y a sus cruces.
My pet move timeline
Planning help only. Enter your arrival date and we count back using only the windows in the checklist above.
Pick your arrival date to see the timeline.
Other destinations: Portugal · France · Germany · Netherlands · Ireland · United Kingdom · United States · Canada
How it works
- Check the steps and timing for your destination here. Always confirm on the official link.
- Open Meet & Mint: events and people near you on one map.
- Join an event alone and chat with the group before you go.
- Meet at the event. Many events from our sites are in the app too.