posted 6th August 2026
For many people, moving to Spain is not really a move unless the dog or cat is coming too.
You can sell the furniture, change the car, learn a new language and adjust to Spanish bureaucracy, but leaving behind the family pet? Absolutely not. The dog has already mentally packed its favourite toy, and the cat has made it very clear that nobody is going anywhere without a full management meeting.
The good news is that moving to Spain with a dog or cat is very achievable. The slightly less glamorous news is that it needs proper planning. Pets cannot simply be added to the moving van between the suitcases and the spare kettle. There are rules around microchips, rabies vaccinations, passports, health certificates, transport, insurance, registration and settling them into Spanish life.
This is one area where “we’ll sort it nearer the time” is not the best plan.
Start Early, Not When The Boxes Are Already Packed
The most important advice is simple: start planning your pet’s move early.
Even if your dog or cat is healthy, chipped and vaccinated, you may still need time for paperwork, appointments, certificates, travel bookings and airline or ferry requirements. If a rabies vaccination has expired, or if the microchip and vaccination history are not properly recorded, you may need to restart part of the process.
Under EU pet travel rules, dogs, cats and ferrets need to be identified before rabies vaccination, and after a first or primary rabies vaccination there is generally a waiting period of at least 21 days before travel. The pet must also be at least 12 weeks old before receiving its first rabies vaccination.
That means timing matters. A last minute vet appointment may not be enough.
The Basic Rule: Microchip First, Rabies Vaccine Second
For dogs and cats entering Spain, identification is key. Your pet should have a compliant microchip, and the rabies vaccination must be given after the microchip is implanted or read.
If the vaccination was given before the microchip, it may not count for travel purposes.
The European Commission states that pets entering the EU from non-EU countries must be identified by microchip and vaccinated against rabies, with the vaccination date not preceding the microchip identification date.
This is one of those tiny details that can cause a big problem. The dog may be perfectly healthy, the cat may be deeply unimpressed, but if the paperwork does not line up, travel can be delayed.
If You Are Moving From Another EU Country
If you are moving to Spain from another EU country with a dog or cat, the process is usually more straightforward.
A European pet passport is the standard document for pet travel between EU countries. It records the pet’s identity, microchip or tattoo code, rabies vaccination record and the details of the vet who issued it. Your Europe confirms that the European pet passport is mandatory for travel between EU countries for dogs, cats and ferrets, and that it is valid for life as long as the pet’s health information, such as rabies vaccination, remains in date.
So, for many EU based movers, the checklist is usually:
- Microchip
- Valid rabies vaccination
- Valid EU pet passport
- Travel arrangements with an approved carrier or transport provider
- Checks on any local Spanish requirements once you arrive
That does not mean there is nothing to do. You still need to check the passport is valid, the vaccine has not expired, the microchip can be read, and your route or carrier accepts pets.
If You Are Moving From Outside The EU
If you are moving to Spain from outside the EU, the process is more formal.
Your pet will usually need an EU animal health certificate issued before arrival. Your Europe states that pets travelling from a non-EU country need an EU animal health certificate issued by an official state vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before arrival in the EU. The certificate can then be valid for travel between EU countries for up to 6 months, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.
The European Commission also states that pets entering the EU from a third country must travel with their owner, that the maximum number for non-commercial pet movement is generally five, and that the animal health certificate must document identity, vaccination details and, where applicable, other health requirements.
For non-EU moves, you should also check whether your country requires a rabies antibody blood test before the pet can enter the EU. Some countries are listed in a way that avoids the need for the test, while others are not. If the test is required, it can add months to the process, so this is not something to discover the week before the move.
A Note For UK Movers After Brexit
Although this article is not only for UK movers, it is worth mentioning the Brexit point because it catches people out.
An EU pet passport issued in Great Britain is no longer valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU. The European Commission confirms this specifically in its guidance on bringing pets into the EU.
UK Government guidance states that a dog, cat or ferret travelling from Great Britain to an EU country needs an animal health certificate. It must be obtained before entering the EU, is valid for entry for 10 days after issue, and the pet may need a new animal health certificate for each trip from Great Britain to the EU.
In plain English, if you are moving from the UK to Spain, do not assume an old pet passport will do the job. Speak to your vet early and make sure they can issue the correct certificate.
Do Dogs Need Tapeworm Treatment To Enter Spain?
For Spain specifically, dogs do not generally need the special tapeworm treatment that is required for entry into certain other countries.
The European Commission’s guidance states that treatment against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis is required before pet dogs enter Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway. Spain is not listed in that requirement.
However, travel rules can depend on your route and return plans. For example, if you later travel from Spain to another country with your dog, or return to the UK, different treatment rules may apply. Always check the rules for every country on the journey, not just Spain.
The “Five Pets” Rule
For most normal family moves, this will not be an issue. But if you are moving with a small army of pets, it matters.
EU guidance says you can generally travel with up to five dogs, cats or ferrets under non-commercial pet movement rules. If you are travelling with more than five, you usually need to prove they are taking part in a competition, exhibition or sporting event and that they are more than six months old. Otherwise, different commercial movement rules may apply.
So, one dog and one cat? Fine. Seven dogs, three cats and a ferret with emotional depth? Get proper advice.
Your Pet Should Travel With You, Or Very Close To You
Pet travel rules are designed for non-commercial movement. That means the pet is moving with its owner, not being sold, transferred or imported as a commercial transaction.
The European Commission states that pets entering the EU from a third country must travel with their owner and under the owner’s responsibility. Where another person is authorised to travel with the pet, the owner’s journey must usually be within five days of the pet’s journey.
This matters if you are using a pet transport company. A good provider should understand the difference between non-commercial pet travel and commercial animal movement, and should guide you on the paperwork.
Choosing How Your Pet Will Travel
This is where the move becomes personal.
Some pets can travel by car and ferry. Some travel by air. Some may need specialist pet transport. The best option depends on where you are travelling from, the size and temperament of your pet, the time of year, your budget, and the route into Spain.
For dogs, long road journeys may be manageable if you plan stops, water, shade, exercise and overnight stays. For cats, a long journey may require more preparation, especially if they are not used to carriers or travel.
Air travel can be quicker but may be more stressful, particularly for animals travelling in the hold. Airlines have their own rules on breeds, crate sizes, temperatures, routes, documentation and whether pets can travel in the cabin, hold or cargo. Brachycephalic breeds, such as some bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats, may face additional restrictions because of breathing risks.
This is an area where cheaper is not always better. The safest route is usually the one that keeps the animal calm, properly documented and handled by people who know what they are doing.
Think About The Spanish Climate
Spain is a wonderful country, but it can be hot. Very hot.
A dog that loves a summer walk in northern Europe may not feel the same about a pavement in Spain in August. Cats may seek shade and cooler areas, but indoor temperatures, balconies and windows still need thinking about.
When choosing where to live, think about your pet as well as yourself. Is there shade? Is there outdoor space? Are there safe walking routes? Is the property secure? Are balconies safe for cats? Is there air conditioning or good ventilation? Are there parks, beaches or rural walks nearby? Is the area too hot for your dog’s breed or age?
This is not just comfort. It is welfare. Older pets, flat-faced breeds, overweight pets and animals with health conditions may struggle more in heat.
Pet-Friendly Rentals Are Not Always Easy
If you are renting first in Spain, check the pet position early. Some landlords are happy with pets. Some are not. Some will accept a small dog but not a large dog. Some will accept cats but worry about damage. Some may ask for extra guarantees or stricter conditions.
Do not assume that because Spain is dog friendly in many public spaces, every rental property will welcome pets. If you are moving with animals, your rental search should include that from the start.
It is also worth being honest. Trying to sneak in a dog or cat can damage your relationship with the landlord and create problems later.
Registering Your Pet Once You Arrive
Once you are settled in Spain, the job is not necessarily finished.
Spain’s animal welfare law provides that dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified by microchip and registered in the Companion Animal Register of the relevant autonomous community. The same law also states that dogs, cats and ferrets from other EU countries must retain their original passport showing their identification code, while still being subject to registration requirements in Spain.
In practice, your local vet will usually be the best starting point. They can check the microchip, update local registration requirements, advise on vaccinations and tell you what applies in your autonomous community or municipality.
Spain is administratively local in many ways. What you need to do in one region or town may not be exactly the same as another, so local advice matters.
Dog Insurance And Responsible Ownership
Spain has strengthened its animal welfare rules in recent years. National animal welfare law provides that dog owners must maintain civil liability insurance for damage to third parties, and also refers to a training course for dog ownership, with the detail to be developed by regulation.
The practical rollout and requirements can vary, so new arrivals should check the current position with a Spanish vet, insurer, gestor or local authority.
Even where people are unsure about the fine detail, the sensible approach is clear: arrange proper pet insurance and liability cover, understand local rules, and keep documents up to date.
Cats Need Planning Too
Cats can be the forgotten part of relocation planning. Dogs are visible. Dogs need walks. Dogs have opinions in public. Cats tend to hide in a box and judge the entire process silently.
But cats need just as much preparation.
For travel, cats still need the correct microchip, rabies vaccination and documentation. Once in Spain, they also need a secure settling in plan. Cats can panic, escape and become disoriented after a move, especially in a new country, new property and new climate.
If your cat is used to going outside, do not simply open the door on day one and hope for the best. Give them time to settle indoors. Check windows, balconies and terraces. Consider whether the area has traffic, stray cats, dogs, rural hazards or colony cats nearby.
Spain’s animal welfare law also deals extensively with feline colonies and local authority management of community cats, so cat ownership sits within a wider welfare framework than many people may be used to.
Find A Vet Early
One of the best things you can do after arrival is register with a local vet.
A vet can help with:
- Microchip registration
- Vaccination records
- Parasite prevention
- Leishmaniasis advice for dogs
- Tick and flea treatment
- Pet passports after you become resident in Spain
- Local rules
- Emergency care
- Heat and climate advice
If you are moving to a coastal or rural area, ask specifically about local parasite risks. Spain can have different health considerations from your home country, and prevention is usually easier than treatment.
Be Careful With Online Advice
Pet relocation groups can be useful, but they can also be confusing. One person will tell you it was easy. Another will tell you it was a nightmare. Someone else will confidently explain rules from 2018 as though they were updated yesterday.
Use online experiences as a guide, not as the law.
Your final checks should be with official sources, your vet, the airline or ferry operator, the Spanish authorities where relevant, and any professional pet transport company you use.
The Emotional Side Matters Too
Moving country is stressful for humans. It can also be stressful for animals.
Dogs may pick up on the chaos of packing. Cats may object to the sudden disappearance of their favourite chair. Pets may struggle with new smells, new sounds, new routines, new weather and new homes.
Try to keep familiar items with them. Bedding, toys, bowls, blankets and food. Keep routines as stable as possible. Do not change diet at the same time as the move unless your vet advises it. Give them time.
The first few weeks are not just about paperwork. They are about helping your pet understand that Spain is now home.
The Simple Checklist
Before moving to Spain with your dog or cat, think about:
- Microchip.
- Rabies vaccination.
- Correct timing after vaccination.
- EU pet passport or animal health certificate.
- Whether a rabies blood test is required.
- Carrier or transport rules.
- Travel crate or harness.
- Insurance.
- Pet friendly rental or property.
- Local vet in Spain.
- Registration after arrival.
- Heat, climate and local parasite risks.
- A settling-in plan.
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It is not complicated if you plan it properly. It becomes complicated when people leave it too late.
Final Thoughts
Taking your dog or cat to Spain is absolutely possible, and for many families it is essential.
Pets are part of the move, part of the family and part of the new life you are trying to build. But they need their own relocation plan.
The paperwork needs to be right. The vaccinations need to be in order. The travel route needs to be safe. The property needs to work for them. The local rules need to be understood. And once you arrive, your pet needs time, patience and care to settle.
Spain may be your new adventure, but for your dog or cat it is also a huge change. Plan it well, and they can enjoy the sunshine too.
EXAPS helps individuals and families moving abroad connect with trusted professionals and companies who understand the relocation journey. When your pet is coming with you, the right advice and preparation can make the move safer, smoother and far less stressful for every member of the family. Including the furry ones!
