Ramsey Douglas

Bringing your pets to Spain - Legal Requirements

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It's relatively straightforward to bring your pet dogs, cats (and ferrets - amazingly!) into Spain with you when you make the move, and as long as you follow procedure and obtain the necessary paperwork, they too can enjoy sunnier climes!

For those not familiar with the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS), we have outlined our understanding of the basic requirements below -

Each pet will need to be microchipped - this will be done by a vet and consists of a chip being injected just under the animals skin. This can then be scanned and provides a unique identification number for your pet. You will receive documentation with full details of the animal and the chip number.

Your pet will also need a rabies vaccination - again to be carried out by a vet, and fully documented.

A Pet Passport can then be issued by the vet, thereby allowing your pet entry into Spain (and other EU Countries - should you wish to take the 'scenic route'!)

Your pet will also need to have a blood sample taken approximately one month after the vaccination, to confirm that the correct levels of antibodies are present, however this can be carried out quite easily in Spain once you arrive. As long as the result of the blood test is satisfactory, your pet would be allowed to re-enter the UK six months later (Subject to other more minor veterinary treatments 24 hours before travel)

Our recommendation would be to start the above procedure as soon as you decide to make the move with your pet, to allow plenty of time, and also to reduce the timescale should you need to return to the UK. If you return within the initial six months, you wouldn't be able to take your pet with you and they would have to be quarantined for the outstanding duration. Not a pleasant experience for pet or owner!

Other domestic pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice (everyone has their own taste!) can also be brought into Spain, up to 5 at a time, and although don't need a Pet Passport, will require a Health Certificate for transportation. Again this can be obtained from a vet.

Unfortunately, it can prove quite a costly experience to transport your pet, especially if you have several of them, but there is simply no shortcut, and the laws are in place to prevent the spread of rabies and other fatal diseases.

You can find more detailed information about the Pets Travel Scheme on the DEFRA website - defra.gov.uk - and there is also a helpline open from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday - 0870 241 1710.