General

The dog or cat must be identified by means of a microchip and must have a European passport.

Vaccinations

The dog or cat must be vaccinated against rabies. The first vaccination must be given at least 21 days before departure, and must be repeated within the validity period. A vaccination after this period is considered a first vaccination and is only valid again after 21 days.

A puppy/kitten must be at least 12 weeks old when receiving its first rabies vaccination, which means they can only cross the border from the age of 15 weeks.

Parasites

In Spain, you need to protect your pet against two dangerous parasites:

Sandflies can transmit Leishmaniasis, a serious disease that affects joints, kidneys and eyes and is difficult to treat.

Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal if not detected in time.

Fortunately, both problems can be prevented with proper preventive treatment. Ask your veterinarian for advice on protective measures against these parasites.

Transportation

The dog or cat must not interfere with the driver and must be protected against sudden movements or in case of an accident. This can be achieved through a securely fastened car crate, a special harness attached to the seat belt, or a closed luggage compartment with a safety net or barrier.

Leash requirement

In Spain, dogs must be kept on a leash in public places at all times.

Exceptions for specific breeds

Spain has strict regulations for dangerous dogs. This applies specifically to eight breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, and Akita Inu.

Owners must be of legal age, have a clean criminal record, and possess physical and psychological fitness certificates. They must also have liability insurance of at least €120,000 and obtain a special permit valid for five years.

In public spaces, these dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a non-extendable leash no longer than two meters, with one person handling only one dog at a time. All dogs must be microchipped, and any loss must be reported within 48 hours.

Dogs not belonging to these breeds may also be classified as dangerous if they show aggressive behavior, have attacked people or animals, or meet specific physical characteristics such as a muscular build, chest circumference between 60-80 cm, height between 50-70 cm, and weight above 20 kg.

Traveling with more than 5 animals

When traveling with more than five animals, they must undergo a clinical examination, and their passport must include an additional certificate issued by the official veterinarian of the country of departure. The animals will then be subject to commercial transportation regulations.

The non-commercial transportation rules still apply when transporting more than five animals for participation in competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, or training, as long as the animals are older than 6 months and the owner can provide written proof of participation.