Moving your Pet to Spain

To bring your pet to the Spain from abroad, you will need to look out for a certain number of requirements. These vary depending on what country you’re coming from and what kind of pet you have.

Below, you can find what you need to do to bring your pet to Spain.

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Pet Relocation RequirementsPet Entry Points in SpainDogs Considered DangerousGet Help

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Will my pet need to quarantine when landing in Spain?
What are the forbidden Pets in Spain?
Where can I find all the official information about pet relocation?

🐶 Requirements to bring your Pet to Spain

Depending on which country you’re from, you will be subject to different requirements for when your Pet enters Spain:

🚝 Travelling to Spain with your Pet from outside of the EU

If you’re coming from a country outside of the EU, it’s worth having in mind your Pet can only enter via an approved “Point of Entry” designated by the Spanish Government. Below you can see the most common points of entry:
Key Airports
The following cities have International Airports with defined Points of Entry for Pets:

✅ Madrid
✅ Barcelona
✅ Valencia
✅ Malaga
✅ Tenerife
Sea Ports
If you enter Spain via boat, you'll need to go to one of the designated Pet Points of Entry for Boats:

✅ Algeciras
✅ Almeria
✅ Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Please Note
When entering via a "Point of Entry" you must declare you're entering with a Pet to the Guardia Civil Tax Department.

🐾 Dogs Considered Dangerous (aka PPP Dogs)

Some Dog Breeds in Spain are considered PPP (Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos), which stands for potentially dangerous dogs. If you have a dog that falls into this category, you will need to get a license.

Dogs that fall into the PPP Category have the following characteristics: muscular, weight over 20kgs, wide jaw, short hair, and a “strong character”. More specifically, the Spanish Government considers the following breeds as PPP (but not exclusively):

Doberman, Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler.
📃 How to request a license for your PPP dog

This will have to be requested in your municipality, and the requirements by each Comunidad Autónoma may vary. For example, you can find the requirements for Madrid here.

Go to your council’s website or office and request more information about this process.

💥 Rules to Follow if you have a PPP Dog
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a) All PPP dogs have to wear muzzle and leash when you walk them.
b) The leash length for PPP dogs can’t be longer than 2 meters.
c) You’re only allowed to walk one PPP dog at a time.
d) Only someone with a license can walk a PPP dog.
e) In some regions, you can’t enter playgrounds and parks with PPPs - Check this with your council.
f) Always carry your license and a copy of your insurance.

🐶 General rules about owning a Dog in Spain

Although some of these are not hard set regulations, pet owners in Spain tend to follow the following guidelines, as avoiding them can be frowned upon.
Dogs must be on a leash
When walking your Dog in public, maybe sure you have the leash appropriately put. There are designated parks where you can take the leash off.
Restricted Zones
There are zones in which Dogs cannot enter, even if on a leash or at low traffic times. Examples include some beaches, parks and enclosed spaces.
Public Fountains
Dogs can’t drink water in public water taps or play in public fountains, even during summer - so make sure to have a water bottle for your Dog if it’s hot outside.
Always pick up the poo
Needless to say, always walk around with the specific plastic bags to pick up the poo from your Dog. Not doing so is frowned upon.
Spray water over pee
This is not done by most people, but in some neighbourhoods, pet owners spray water over their Dog’s pee, to avoid spreading the smell.

💡 Tips for moving with your Pet to Spain

1) Find yourself a Vet on arrival. Even if you don’t need a Vet right away, one day, you will. So it’s good to have a Vet who already has your Pet’s information on file.
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2) Check out for “No Pet” zones near where you live. If you have a Dog, you will surely be going out for Walks around the block often, so make sure to know which areas are restricted for Pets.
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3) Get the right insurance for your Pet. You will need Pet Insurance as an Expat in Spain.
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4) Tell landlords you own a Pet before renting an apartment. Some landlords may not accept Pets in their apartments, and not telling them may later result in a contract break clause or the retention of your Deposit.

Need more help? Speak to an Advisor today!