Taking your dog or cat from the UK to Spain (2026)
According to GOV.UK and the European Commission, checked on 31 October 2026, to take a dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain to Spain you need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 full days before you travel and an animal health certificate, valid for entering the EU for 10 days; Spain is not on GOV.UK's tapeworm list, so dogs need no tapeworm treatment to enter, but they need one before coming back to Great Britain.
Changes expected in 2027
GOV.UK says that pet owners will be able to get a multiuse pet passport for EU travel when the UK–EU SPS agreement takes effect: “It is our intention that the agreement will take effect in mid-2027.” Until then, the animal health certificate rules on this page apply. What GOV.UK says so far about the 2027 pet passport.
This is not veterinary advice. A missing step can mean that your pet is refused entry or put into quarantine. We quote GOV.UK and the European Commission word for word, with the date we checked them. Check with your vet and the official page before you travel.
At a glance
| Document | Animal health certificate from an official vet (a pet passport cannot be used if you live in England, Scotland or Wales) |
|---|---|
| Rabies | At least 21 full days after the first vaccination |
| Tapeworm to enter (dogs) | No |
| Tapeworm to return to GB (dogs) | Yes: 24 hours to 5 days before you arrive back |
| Approved routes back to GB | 3 by sea or rail, plus approved airlines |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
Your dates for Spain
Open the date calculator for Spain: earliest day for the animal health certificate, the 10-day window and the date you must be back.
What GOV.UK says
You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.
You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given. Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination.
You must get an animal health certificate before you enter the EU. The certificate is valid for travel any time within 10 days after it’s issued by your vet, so you’ll need to travel during this time. Day 1 is the date the animal health certificate is issued.
You must take your pet to your vet to get an animal health certificate. The certificate needs to be signed by an ‘official veterinarian’ (OV).
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you cannot use a pet passport to enter the EU - even if it was issued in the EU. If you use a pet passport instead of an animal health certificate, your pet may be refused entry.
Source: GOV.UK: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad (GOV.UK (Animal and Plant Health Agency)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Tapeworm treatment for dogs
Spain is not on the GOV.UK list, so there is no tapeworm rule to enter:
A vet must treat your dog for tapeworm and record it in their pet travel document if you’re travelling to:
- Finland
- Ireland
- Malta
- Northern Ireland (unless you have a Northern Ireland pet travel document)
- Norway
Source: GOV.UK: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad (GOV.UK (Animal and Plant Health Agency)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Arriving in Spain
You’ll need to go through a travellers’ point of entry when you arrive in an EU country.
Check what you need to do before you can travel with your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country. You’ll also need to check for any additional rules or requirements for the country you’re travelling to. These rules also apply to assistance dogs.
Source: GOV.UK: Taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad (GOV.UK (Animal and Plant Health Agency)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
The European Commission links these official pages for Spain: Points of entry National information
In this section, you will find general information regarding the animal health requirements applicable to pet animals moved between and into EU countries. You can also get the information about the national measures aimed at restricting the movement of certain species and breeds of pet animals on the basis apart from animal health.
Source: European Commission: EU countries' specific information (European Commission (DG Health and Food Safety)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Coming back to Great Britain from Spain
Your pet can enter Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) with an animal health certificate (AHC) if all the following apply:
- the AHC was issued in Great Britain
- you’re travelling from the EU or another country where you can use an AHC
- it’s less than 6 months since the date you entered the EU or a country that accepts AHCs
If you stay abroad for more than 6 months, to bring your pet back to Great Britain you’ll need a Great Britain pet health certificate.
If you have a dog, you may need a vet to give them tapeworm treatment. Your dog must be treated no less than 24 hours before (and no more than 5 days before) you arrive in Great Britain.
Source: GOV.UK: Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain (GOV.UK (Animal and Plant Health Agency)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
| Route | Company |
|---|---|
| Bilbao to Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Santander to Portsmouth | Brittany Ferries |
| Santander to Plymouth | Brittany Ferries |
Driving there with your pet? Driving in Spain with a UK licence · Tolls in Spain
Other countries
Questions
What do I need to take my dog from the UK to Spain?
GOV.UK says: “You must get your pet microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If you do not, they’ll need to be vaccinated again.” “You will have to wait at least 21 full days after the first rabies vaccination (or the last of the first course of rabies vaccinations) is given. Day 1 is the day after the rabies vaccination.” “You must get an animal health certificate before you enter the EU. The certificate is valid for travel any time within 10 days after it’s issued by your vet, so you’ll need to travel during this time. Day 1 is the date the animal health certificate is issued.” Spain is not on GOV.UK’s tapeworm list, so no tapeworm treatment is needed to enter.
Are the rules the same for a cat?
Yes for the microchip, the rabies vaccination and the animal health certificate; the tapeworm treatment is for dogs only. GOV.UK and the European Commission say: “Check what you need to do before you can travel with your pet dog, cat or ferret to an EU country. You’ll also need to check for any additional rules or requirements for the country you’re travelling to. These rules also apply to assistance dogs.” “Pet dogs (not pet cats or pet ferrets) must be treated against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entering: any EU country listed in Annex XIX to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620, (Finland, Ireland, Malta and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland)). Norway.”
What do I need to bring my dog back to the UK from Spain?
GOV.UK says: “Your pet can enter Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) with an animal health certificate (AHC) if all the following apply: the AHC was issued in Great Britain; you’re travelling from the EU or another country where you can use an AHC; it’s less than 6 months since the date you entered the EU or a country that accepts AHCs.” “If you have a dog, you may need a vet to give them tapeworm treatment. Your dog must be treated no less than 24 hours before (and no more than 5 days before) you arrive in Great Britain.”
Where does this answer come from?
From GOV.UK and the European Commission, read on 31 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page. It is information, not veterinary or legal advice: check with your vet and the official page.
Spotted a change? Tell us. Taking a dog or cat from the UK to the EU: all the rules · Approved routes
GOV.UK text: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. European Commission text: reuse authorised with acknowledgement of the source. Before You Fly is not a government site.