Bringing Your Pets to Spain: A Complete Guide
Your pets are family, and of course they are coming with you. Moving pets to Spain is straightforward if you follow the rules. The process is different depending on whether you are coming from an EU country or outside the EU. Here is the step-by-step process.
Moving Pets from EU Countries
If you are relocating from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK (post-Brexit rules apply), or any other EU/EEA country, the process is relatively simple:
- Microchip - Your pet must be microchipped (ISO 11784/11785 standard). This should already be the case if your pet is registered in your home country.
- Rabies vaccination - Must be administered at least 21 days before travel. Keep records in the EU pet passport.
- EU Pet Passport - Issued by your vet. Contains microchip number, vaccination history, and owner details. Cost: EUR 15-30.
- Health certificate - Not required within the EU if you have a valid pet passport. Required for UK pets (post-Brexit).
Moving Pets from Non-EU Countries
From the UK (post-Brexit), USA, Canada, or other non-EU countries, additional steps are required:
- An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official vet no more than 10 days before travel.
- Rabies antibody titer test (blood test) at least 30 days after vaccination and 3 months before travel (only from unlisted countries).
- The UK is a "listed" country, so the titer test is not required, but the AHC is.
Travelling by Air with Pets
Most airlines accept pets, but rules vary significantly:
- In cabin - Small pets (under 8kg including carrier) can fly in the cabin. Iberia: EUR 50 (domestic) to EUR 150 (EU). KLM: EUR 60-70 within Europe.
- In hold - Larger pets travel in a pressurized, temperature-controlled hold. Cost: EUR 100-300 depending on pet size and route.
- Cargo - For very large dogs or multiple pets. Specialist pet transport companies handle this. Cost: EUR 500-1,500.
Book early, as airlines limit the number of pets per flight. Summer flights can be risky, as airlines may refuse pets when temperatures exceed 30 degrees C.
Driving to Spain with Pets
Many Dutch and Belgian expats drive to Spain with their pets. The drive from the Netherlands takes about 18-20 hours via France. Plan overnight stops at pet-friendly hotels. The route through France is straightforward. Your EU pet passport is your only document requirement at borders.
Pet-Friendly Living on the Costa del Sol
Spain is increasingly pet-friendly. Most restaurants allow dogs on terraces. Many beaches have designated dog areas (playas caninas). Fuengirola, Benalmadena, and Estepona all have official dog beaches.
Things to consider:
- Heat - Summers are brutally hot for pets. Walk dogs early morning (before 09:00) and late evening (after 20:00). Always carry water.
- Processionary caterpillars - A real danger for dogs from January to April. These caterpillars cause severe reactions if touched or ingested. Learn to spot their nests in pine trees.
- Leishmaniasis - Spread by sandflies. Preventable with monthly pipettes (Advantix) or a Scalibor collar. Ask your Spanish vet about the Letifend vaccine.
- Vet costs - Significantly cheaper than northern Europe. A routine checkup costs EUR 30-40. Vaccinations EUR 40-60.
Renting and Buying with Pets
Finding pet-friendly rentals can be challenging. Many landlords say "no mascotas." Be upfront about pets when searching. Consider buying, as there are no restrictions in your own property (though community rules may apply to common areas). Use our free calculator to estimate your total costs for purchasing a pet-friendly home on the Costa del Sol.