Moving to Spain with Pets: Documents, Rules & Vet Registration

If you are moving from another EU or EEA country, your pet needs three things: an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785, implanted before the rabies vaccination), a valid rabies vaccination (administered at least 21 days before travel), and an EU pet passport (issued by any authorised vet in your home country). The pet passport is a small blue booklet that records your pet’s identity, vaccinations, and health treatments. It is valid for the life of the animal as long as rabies vaccinations are kept current.

There is no quarantine for pets arriving from EU countries. You can fly with your pet in the cabin (if under 8 kg including carrier on most airlines) or in the hold. Alternatively, you can drive through France and enter Spain by road with no border check required. Once in Spain, register with a local vet within the first few weeks to establish a vaccination record and get any required local treatments (leishmaniasis prevention is strongly recommended on the Costa del Sol).

Since Brexit, the UK is classified as a Part 2 listed third country for pet travel to the EU. This means the EU pet passport is no longer valid for UK-to-Spain moves. Instead, you need: an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (21+ days before travel), an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an APHA-approved vet within 10 days of travel, and a TRACES-NT (Trade Control and Expert System) entry document generated by your UK vet through the EU’s online system.

The AHC must be signed and stamped by an Official Veterinarian (OV), which in the UK means an APHA-approved vet. Not all vets have OV status, so check before booking. The certificate is valid for 10 days from issue for entry into the EU, then 4 months for onward travel within the EU. Your pet must enter the EU through an approved Travellers’ Point of Entry (TPE), which includes Málaga airport. If driving through France, entry is through the Channel Tunnel or ferry port, both of which are approved TPEs.

Requirements vary significantly by country. Countries listed in Annex II of EU Regulation 577/2013 (including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the US) have simplified entry: microchip, rabies vaccination, and a health certificate from an official vet issued within 10 days of travel. No rabies titre test is required.

Countries not on the Annex II list require an additional rabies antibody titre test (blood test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml) taken at least 30 days after vaccination and with a 3-month waiting period before travel. The blood sample must be analysed at an EU-approved laboratory. This means planning needs to start at least 4 months before your move date. Contact your local veterinary authority or the Spanish consulate for country-specific requirements, as the list is updated periodically.

Once in Spain, register your pet with a local vet and obtain an entry in the RAIA (Registro Andaluz de Identificación Animal) through the Junta de Andalucía. Your vet handles this during the first visit by scanning the microchip and entering the details into the system. This is mandatory for dogs and recommended for cats. The vet will also update your pet’s vaccination record and advise on local health risks.

Leishmaniasis is the most significant local health concern for dogs on the Costa del Sol. It is transmitted by sandflies active from May to October. Prevention options include a Seresto collar, Scalibor collar, monthly Advantix spot-on treatment, or annual vaccination (Letifend or CaniLeish). We strongly recommend discussing this with your vet immediately on arrival, as treatment after infection is lifelong and expensive. Heartworm is also present in southern Spain; monthly prevention (typically combined with flea and tick treatment) is standard.

Spain classifies certain breeds as potentially dangerous under Real Decreto 287/2002. The list includes Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, and Akita Inu, plus any crossbreeds of these. Owners of restricted breeds must obtain a special licence (licencia para la tenencia de animales potencialmente peligrosos) from their local ayuntamiento.

The licence requires: a psychological fitness test, a physical fitness test, civil liability insurance with minimum coverage of €120,000, no criminal record, and registration of the specific animal. The dog must be muzzled in all public spaces and kept on a non-extendable lead of no more than 2 metres. Fines for non-compliance range from €300 to €15,000. If you own a restricted breed, start the licence process before importing the dog to avoid complications at entry.

Most apartment communities on the Costa del Sol allow dogs, though some have size restrictions (typically under 10 kg or 15 kg). Check the community statutes before buying if you have a large dog. Villas with private gardens have no restrictions. Dog parks are available in San Pedro (Parque de los Tres Jardines), Marbella (Parque de la Represa), and Estepona (several along the promenade).

Beaches have seasonal dog restrictions. Most Marbella beaches ban dogs from June 1 to September 15. Outside those months, dogs are welcome on most beaches. Designated year-round dog beaches include Playa de Ventura del Mar (between Puerto Banús and San Pedro) and sections of Playa de Guadalmina. Veterinary care is widely available; expect to find at least one vet clinic in every town. Emergency veterinary hospitals include Hospital Veterinario Sierra de Las Nieves (24-hour) and AniCura in Málaga.