Pets Abroad

Pets can travel with you to Spain under the new Pet Travel Scheme. A number of countries in Europe have the same guidelines for cats and dogs. Since the start of the scheme, over 17,000 cats and dogs traveled to and from Britain.

Spain does not have a quarantine requirement when you import your pet. However, make sure you check with the authorities that you have the proper papers for the other countries that you pass through on your journey to Spain.

If your present country has a quarantine requirement, you should be aware that when you leave Spain, even for a couple of hours, your home country will put your pet in quarantine on return. Pet passports now apply.

As there are many diseases common to Spanish pets that can pose a risk to your pet, you may want to consult a vet in Spain to see if additional inoculations are required. Your pet will have no natural immunity from diseases not found in Britain. The vet will also be able to advise about other precautions.

Pet passports are required for Spain, France and Portugal. Before traveling to Spain, pets have to be:

• Identifiable - All dogs need to be registered and either tattooed in the ear or have a chip inserted under the skin. This is for identification and makes it much easier for your dog to be returned to you if it is lost. There is a fine if you fail to register your dog.
• Vaccinated against rabies. Pets need to have a rabies shot before entering Spain, unless your country is exempt, such as Britain. The shot should be given no less than one month and no longer than one year before arrival in Spain.
• Given a blood test to make sure the vaccine has provided a sufficient level of protection against rabies.
• Issued with a PETS official Export Health Certificate from a government authorised vet to show the pet has been treated against ticks and tapeworm (this needs to be done 24-48 hours beforehand). Without one, the pet will be refused access to Spain. If you are returning back to Britain with your pet you'll need to take them to a local vet be checked over to ensure they are free of tapeworms, fleas and ticks.

Some countries (not including Spain) also require a Private Vet Certificate that notes the pet's name, sex, age, breeding and markings. This also states that the animal showed no clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease and is fit to travel.

Properties: some developments near golf courses, even freehold properties, have restrictions on keeping pets (golfers sometimes complain that barking dogs put them off their strokes).

Remember that there are different rules for each breed of dog and country, so always check first.

Useful Contacts

Pets Helpline: Tel 0870 241 1710 Spanish

Embassy: Tel 0207 235 5005 for a list of approved local vets.