Pet Travel Spain | Pet Transport to Spain from UK
Spain doesn’t ban any dog breed from entering the country, which puts it in a different position to somewhere like France. Instead, certain breeds need a local licence once your dog is actually living in Spain, a different kind of requirement entirely, and one that’s easy to miss if you’re only checking entry rules.
Fetchapet handles the entry paperwork itself, keeping your rabies vaccination and Animal Health Certificate on schedule so nothing gets missed. If a PPP licence applies to your dog, that’s arranged locally through your town hall once you’ve arrived, not something we can do for you, but we’ll flag it clearly upfront so it doesn’t catch you and your dog out after the move.
Does Spain Ban Any Dog Breeds?
No, and this is where Spain works differently to some of its neighbours. Spain doesn’t stop any breed from entering the country at the border.
What it does instead is regulate certain breeds once they’re living there, through a licence called PPP, Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos, Potentially Dangerous Dogs. It’s a Spanish national law, not an entry restriction, so it doesn’t affect whether your dog can travel with you, only what you’ll need to sort out once you’ve settled in.
What Documents Does My Pet Need For Spain?
Spain follows the standard EU pet travel rules. Your pet needs an ISO compliant microchip, fitted before their rabies vaccination, and they need to be at least 12 weeks old when that vaccination is given.
The rabies vaccination itself must happen at least 21 days before you travel. After that, an Animal Health Certificate, issued by an Official Veterinarian no more than 10 days before you arrive, is what you’ll need to show at the border, not a pet passport.
There’s no tapeworm treatment required to enter Spain, and no quarantine either, provided everything above is in order, good news for both you and your pet.
What Is A PPP Licence In Spain?
The licence itself needs the owner to be an adult, hold third party liability insurance, pass a check for certain serious criminal offences, and provide a physical and psychological fitness certificate. Once you have it, your dog needs to wear a muzzle and be walked on a lead under 2 metres in public, with some regions setting a shorter length locally.
It’s worth knowing this isn’t limited to the named breeds either. A mixed breed dog with a similar build or temperament to a listed breed can also be classified as PPP by local authorities, even if it isn’t one of the eight breeds above.
That’s a lot to weigh up if your dog’s breed might be affected. Talk to us before you book anything and we’ll help you work out what actually applies to your dog.
Do I Need To Register My Pet After Moving To Spain?
Yes, separately from any PPP licence. Most pets need to be registered on a regional database within three months of arrival, Andalusia’s is called RAIA, other regions run their own. If your dog needs a PPP licence, that registration happens within the shorter one month window instead.
Which Airports Do Pets Fly Into For Spain?
Pets typically fly into Madrid-Barajas or Barcelona-El Prat, both of which have dedicated veterinary control points for animal arrivals. Other Spanish airports may also be approved entry points depending on your route, so it’s worth confirming with us which one fits your journey before booking anything.
How Much Does It Cost To Fly A Pet To Spain?
Crate size still drives most of the flight cost, same as everywhere else we fly to. If your dog needs a PPP licence, the insurance and licensing costs are separate and paid locally in Spain, not something we can quote on, since they vary by region and insurer.
Get a free, no obligation quote and we’ll walk through what applies to your pet specifically.
We’ll Take Care Of The Travel Paperwork For You
We’ll collect your pet from anywhere in England, Scotland or Wales, or you’re welcome to drop off with us or meet us at Heathrow, whichever’s easier for you both.
FAQs
No. Spain doesn’t ban any breed from entry. Certain breeds do need a local PPP licence once your dog is living in Spain, which is a separate thing from entry.
The core national list includes the Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu, though some regions add further breeds locally.
No, tapeworm treatment isn’t required to enter Spain. It only applies when your dog returns to the UK.
No, provided the microchip, rabies vaccination and Animal Health Certificate are all correctly in order.
No. GB residents need an Animal Health Certificate instead, which we can arrange for you.
Fly Your Pets To Spain
Dog Export to Spain
Taking your dog to Spain from the UK? We’ll help you sort the paperwork, breed rules included. Get a quote now.
Cat Export to Spain
Taking your cat to Spain from the UK? Talk to our expert team and get a free quote today.