Moving to Spain with a Dog: What You Need to Know

Are you planning to move to Spain with your dog? The process is tipically simple, as long as you follow the EU pet travel rules correctly.

To enter Spain, your dog must:

• Be microchipped (ISO compliant)
• Have a valid rabies vaccination, the dose must be administred after microchipping, this is so important!
• Wait at least 21 days after the first rabies vaccine before travelling
• Travel with the correct documents

Spain does not require quarantine for dogs arriving from the UK, US, or EU countries if all requirements are met.

Required documents

The documents needed depend on where you’re travelling from, you’ll need:

• EU countries: EU Pet Passport
• UK: Animal Health Certificate (AHC)
• US: USDA-endorsed health certificate + rabies certificate

Spain does not normally quarantine dogs from the UK or US as long as the documentation is correct.

Living in Spain with a dog

Spain is generally very dog-friendly, with many:

• cafés and terraces welcoming dogs
• dog parks
• dog-friendly beaches (there are more and more beaches in the Canaries that are dog-friendly)

The most important thing to consider is to find pet-friendly accomodation, not all rental properties accept pets; but if your intent is to purchase property, there are usually no restrictions unless governed by community rules.

Costs & arrival

The costs of moving with a dog usually lay between €400 and €1,500, depending on the country of origin and transport method used.

Once in Spain, it’s highly recommended to:

• update your dog’s microchip details
• arrange insurance for PPP breeds (perros potencialmente peligrosos)
• find a veterinarian near accomodation for any needs

Final tip

To sum up, the key steps are simple:

1. Microchip
2. Rabies vaccine
3. 21-day waiting period
4. Correct paperwork

With proper preparation, relocating to Spain with your dog can be smooth and stress-free 🐾🇪🇸