Bringing a pet to Spain

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Spain enforces strict, origin-dependent entry rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets. There is no quarantine for compliant pets from EU/listed countries, but animals from higher-risk rabies areas face additional testing and waiting periods. Expect thorough document checks at border control.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Spain.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Spain does not have national breed ban, but some autonomous communities (e.g., Catalonia, Basque Country) may have local restrictions on potentially dangerous breeds (e.g., Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman). Check with local town hall or Spanish consulate. Some airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) during hot months.

Documents checklist

  • Valid EU pet passport or equivalent official health certificate
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number and vaccination date
  • Microchip implantation certificate (if not in passport)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with local vet and Spanish Ministry of Agriculture.

For pets from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.), an EU pet passport is sufficient. No titer test or import permit needed.

MAPA Spain

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Spain does not have national breed ban, but some autonomous communities (e.g., Catalonia, Basque Country) may have local restrictions on potentially dangerous breeds (e.g., Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman). Check with local town hall or Spanish consulate. Some airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) during hot months.

Documents checklist

  • Official health certificate issued by competent authority of origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS Form 7001 for US, DEFRA form for UK)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate with microchip number and vaccination date
  • Microchip implantation certificate (if not on health certificate)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with local vet and Spanish Ministry of Agriculture.

Pets from low-risk non-EU countries (e.g., US, UK, Japan, Australia) do not require rabies titer test or import permit. Health certificate must be endorsed by origin country's official veterinary authority.

MAPA Spain

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Breed restrictions

Spain does not have national breed ban, but some autonomous communities (e.g., Catalonia, Basque Country) may have local restrictions on potentially dangerous breeds (e.g., Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman). Check with local town hall or Spanish consulate. Some airlines may restrict brachycephalic breeds (e.g., Bulldogs, Pugs) during hot months.

Documents checklist

  • Official health certificate endorsed by origin country's veterinary authority
  • Rabies vaccination certificate with microchip number and vaccination date
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate from EU-approved laboratory
  • Import permit from Spanish Ministry of Agriculture
  • Microchip implantation certificate

Rough budget

Rough ballpark: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$50-100, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary. Confirm current prices with local vet and Spanish Ministry of Agriculture.

Pets from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require rabies titer test and import permit. Titer test must be performed at EU-approved lab. Quarantine not required if all documentation is in order.

MAPA Spain

Frequently asked questions

A puppy must be at least 12 weeks old to receive rabies vaccination, then wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. Minimum age for entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days).
No. The United States is classified as low-risk rabies country for Spain. Rabies titer test (FAVN) is not required for dogs from US. You need microchip, rabies vaccination, and USDA-endorsed health certificate.
Under EU rules, you can bring up to 5 dogs as non-commercial traveller. If more than 5, you must comply with commercial import regulations, requiring additional paperwork and possible customs duties.
No. Spain does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard pet import rules. They must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have valid health certificate. Service dogs may have additional documentation for access rights, but not for import.
Rabies vaccination must be valid (within booster schedule) at time of travel. If expired, get booster and wait 21 days before entering Spain. The 21-day wait applies even for booster.
No. Spain requires ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If dog has non-ISO chip, you must bring your own scanner or have chip replaced with ISO one. Microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination.
Yes. Thailand is high-risk rabies country. You need import permit from Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, rabies titer test (FAVN) from EU-approved lab, and health certificate. Permit application can take several weeks.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Spain.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of vaccination)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent, issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785) – certificate or scan record

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

From EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, etc.), no additional rabies titer or permit needed. EU pet passport accepted if issued in EU.

MAPA Spain

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of vaccination)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent, issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785) – certificate or scan record

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

From low-risk countries (US, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.), same as free tier – no titer test, no permit, no quarantine. EU pet passport not issued outside EU; use Annex IV health certificate.

MAPA Spain

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of vaccination)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) or equivalent, issued within 10 days of arrival
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785) – certificate or scan record
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, performed at least 90 days before travel)
  • Import permit from MAPA (Spanish Ministry of Agriculture)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees vary by country. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

From high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa/Asia/Middle East), rabies titer test and import permit are mandatory. No quarantine upon arrival if all paperwork is in order.

MAPA Spain

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if your cat is arriving from a high-risk country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India), a FAVN titer test is mandatory. The test must be performed at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The result must show an antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
You may bring up to 5 cats (or dogs/ferrets) per person without triggering commercial import rules. If you bring more than 5, you must comply with EU commercial regulations, which include additional paperwork and fees.
No. Spain does not grant any exemptions for emotional support or service animals from standard rabies vaccination, microchip, health certificate, or titer test requirements. All cats must meet the same import rules regardless of their role.
The EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) must be issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days of your cat's arrival in Spain. It is valid for 10 days from the date of issue for entry into the EU.
No. EU pet passports are only issued within the EU. If you are travelling from a non-EU country (e.g., US, UK, Japan), you must use the EU Animal Health Certificate (Annex IV) endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country.
There is no specific minimum age for cats entering Spain, but the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and you must wait 21 days after the vaccination before travel. So the earliest a kitten can enter is around 15 weeks old.
If documents are missing or incorrect, Spanish customs may quarantine your cat at the border for up to 30 days at your expense, or deny entry entirely. Always double-check all requirements with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) before travel.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Spain.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (issued after 12 weeks of age, with 21-day wait observed)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (modelo 998) or equivalent, issued within 10 days before arrival
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit)
  • Pet passport (if from EU/EEA)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€80-150, rabies vaccine ~€30-60. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA).

Ferrets from EU-equivalent territories (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) follow same rules as intra-EU movement. No quarantine.

MAPA Spain

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (issued after 12 weeks of age, with 21-day wait observed)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (modelo 998) or equivalent, endorsed by origin country's official vet authority, issued within 10 days before arrival
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit)
  • Third-country pet passport (if applicable)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-60. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA).

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g. US, UK, Japan) require an EU health certificate endorsed by the origin country's official vet authority. No quarantine.

MAPA Spain

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (issued after 12 weeks of age, with 21-day wait observed)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL, from EU-approved lab, performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel)
  • Import permit from Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA)
  • EU Animal Health Certificate (modelo 998) or equivalent, issued within 10 days before arrival
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~€30-50, health certificate ~€100-200, rabies vaccine ~€30-60, FAVN test ~€100-250, import permit fee ~€50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA).

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia) require a FAVN titer test and an import permit. No quarantine after meeting all requirements.

MAPA Spain

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can bring up to 5 ferrets under non-commercial rules. If you bring 6 or more, commercial import regulations apply, which require a different health certificate and may involve additional fees and inspections.
No. The US is classified as a low-risk country for rabies. Ferrets from the US do not need a FAVN test. They only need a microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and an EU health certificate endorsed by USDA.
No. Spain does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard pet import rules. Your ferret must still meet all microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and permit requirements.
There is no minimum age for ferrets entering Spain, but the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and you must wait 21 days after vaccination before travel. So practically, the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old at the time of entry.
No. Spain requires an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (15-digit). If your ferret has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own scanner that can read it, or have the chip replaced with an ISO one before travel.
The EU health certificate (modelo 998) is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian. It must be issued no more than 10 days before arrival in Spain.
Many airlines allow ferrets in cabin or as checked baggage, but some carriers ban ferrets entirely. Check with your airline at least 2 weeks before travel. Spanish law does not ban ferrets from air travel, but individual carrier policies vary.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. If arriving from a non-EU country not on Spain's approved list, a rabies antibody titre test is required and must be done at least 30 days after vaccination, with a 3-month wait from the blood draw date before entry.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Spain, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Spain's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.