Bringing pets to Spain: 2026 rules for dogs and cats

What rules currently apply to bringing animals into Spain?

From 22 April 2026, the entry of pets is governed by Reglamento (UE) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law, the EU law on animal health) and the Reglamento Delegado (UE) 2026/131 that supplements it. Reglamento (UE) 576/2013, which older articles cite, was formally replaced by Reglamento 2016/429 back in 2021, but under its article 277 it continued to apply until 21 April 2026. From 22 April 2026 it ceased to apply, and Reglamento de Ejecución 577/2013 was repealed at the same time [3][5]. The model certificates and declarations are now set out in Reglamento de Ejecución (UE) 2026/705 [5], and the lists of third countries in Reglamento de Ejecución (UE) 2026/636 [4].

In Spain, the procedure is explained by MAPA, the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (mapa.gob.es): on its page “Viajar con la mascota” it restates the EU requirements and lists the points of entry. Veterinary endorsement in the country of departure is done by the local official veterinary authority, and in Spain the documents are checked by Sanidad Animal at the point of entry [1][2].

If you are reading an article that mentions “576/2013”, go by the new acts. The requirements themselves for a standard case have stayed close to the previous ones: microchip, vaccination, titre test, certificate. Old-style certificates issued before 1 October 2026 are accepted until 31 March 2027, while those issued from 1 October must follow the new model in Reglamento 2026/705 [5].

What counts as non-commercial movement?

The rules for private individuals apply when three conditions are met: there is no transfer of ownership of the animal, there are no more than five animals, and the animal travels with its owner or with a person the owner has authorised in writing [1][2]. The animal may travel separately if the owner travels no more than five days before it and no more than five days after it [1][2]. An authorised person needs a written authorisation following the model in Reglamento de Ejecución 2026/705 [1].

If there are more than five animals (there is an exception for shows and sporting events, for animals older than six months and with written confirmation) or the owner is not travelling with them, the movement counts as commercial and follows different rules, with a separate health certificate and a fee [1][2]. This article does not cover commercial imports.

What documents and procedures does a dog or cat from a non-EU country need?

MAPA adds that the certificate must be presented at least in Spanish, accompanied by a certified copy of the identification and vaccination details [1]. Echinococcus (Echinococcus multilocularis): treatment is only needed when entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland and Norway; it is not required for Spain [2].

Is an antibody test needed to bring a dog from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan or Ukraine?

Yes. A rabies antibody test is needed if the country of departure is not included in Annexes I or II of Reglamento de Ejecución (UE) 2026/636 [4][5]. Annex I lists Andorra, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. Annex II lists countries that have demonstrated a rabies surveillance system to the European Commission: for example, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland), the UAE, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Singapore [3][4]. Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine are on neither list [4].

This means the procedure for countries with a higher rabies risk applies: first the chip, then the vaccination, then the test, and only after a waiting period the certificate. The annexes can change: Reglamento 2026/1228 of 11 June 2026, for example, added Montenegro and Serbia to Annex II [8]. Check the current version on EUR-Lex and the MAPA page right before you start preparing [1][4].

The laboratory must be chosen from the official list: either a laboratory designated in an EU country under article 37 of Reglamento (UE) 2017/625, or a laboratory in a country listed in Annex VIII of Reglamento de Ejecución (UE) 2021/404 [6]. We have not checked whether a laboratory in your country is on this list: see the list on the European Commission website [6].

How do you prepare the entry step by step and how long does it take?

1. Chip. The vet implants a microchip (or checks the existing one). Vaccination is only done after the date of the chip [2][3].
2. Rabies vaccination. No earlier than 12 weeks of age. Valid from day 21 after completing the primary vaccination [2].
3. Wait, then the blood sample. The sample is taken by an authorised vet no earlier than 30 days after the primary vaccination, or during a valid vaccination series [2].
4. A result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher. The laboratory issues an official report, and a copy is attached to the certificate [2][3].
5. A 90-day wait. The certificate cannot be issued earlier than 90 days after the blood sample was taken [2].
6. Certificate and endorsement. No earlier than 10 days before entry, an official vet (or an authorised vet with endorsement by the official veterinary service) issues the EU-model certificate [2][3].
7. Entry. You fly to Barcelona or another approved point, tell the Guardia Civil or customs officers that you are travelling with an animal and hand over the documents for checking; a vet reads the chip [1].

Under this procedure, the minimum age of a dog or cat brought in from a country with a rabies risk works out at about seven months: 12 weeks before vaccination, 30 days before the test and 90 days before the certificate. MAPA gives the same minimum [1]. MAPA and the European Commission word the 90-day count slightly differently: MAPA counts from the blood sample to entry, the Commission to the date the certificate is issued.

To satisfy both, do not have the certificate issued earlier than 90 days after the blood sample: then entry will also be no earlier than day 90. Confirm the calculation for your case with your vet and the official veterinary service in your country [1][2]. The order of the steps cannot be changed: a missed interval means entry is refused.

What happens at Barcelona airport?

The animal is only accepted at an approved point. MAPA’s list for Barcelona includes Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport and the port [1]. After landing, the owner collects the original documents at the cargo terminal and takes them to the Sanidad Animal office; a vet then checks the chip, the confirmation has to be shown at customs in Terminal 2, and after that the animal is released [1]. This procedure is described in the annex to MAPA’s list and may change, so check the current version before you travel.

For each point, MAPA’s list states the possible measures if the animal does not meet the requirements: return, isolation or euthanasia [1]. So resolve any doubts about the documents before departure, not in the arrivals hall.

What to do after the move: registering your dog in Barcelona

Electronic identification of dogs, cats and ferrets is mandatory in Catalonia, and the chip is implanted at a veterinary clinic. After that, owners in Barcelona must register the animal in the Registre Censal Municipal within 30 days of acquiring it, changing address or moving for more than three months. Registration is currently free [7]. The data is passed on to the Registre General d'Animals de Companyia of the Generalitat de Catalunya [7].

Dogs of “potentially dangerous” breeds (Akita, Staffordshire, Rottweiler and others on the city’s list) need a municipal licence, third-party liability insurance and special walking rules; the list and conditions are on the ajuntament.barcelona.cat page [7]. If you have one of these breeds, start with this list before you travel: the rule is tied to living permanently in Barcelona.

Common mistakes when bringing animals to Spain

• Treating the 576/2013 rules as current. They have not applied since 22 April 2026, and the certificate wording and article numbers have changed [3][5].
• Doing the test too early or too late. Blood is taken no earlier than 30 days after vaccination, and at least 90 days must pass between the blood sample and the issue of the certificate [2].
• Vaccinating before the chip. A vaccination given before the date the chip was implanted does not count [2].
• Forgetting the certificate’s validity. It is valid for 10 days until the check at the point of entry, and for travel by sea the days of the journey are added [2][3].
• Travelling through an unapproved airport. The animal must enter through a PEV on MAPA’s list [1][3].
• Sending the animal separately, with the owner arriving later. This is only allowed within the window of five days before or after the owner [1][2].
• Assuming any vet will do. The certificate is issued by an official vet, or by an authorised vet with endorsement by the official authority of the country of departure [3].

Requirements for birds, rodents, reptiles and other species are different. This article does not cover them: see the MAPA section for your species.

How we can help

The veterinary side is handled only by a vet in your country and the official service, and we do not replace them. We can help with what relates to your family’s move: planning the timing so that the animal arrives together with its owner, arranging translation of documents (sworn translation) and explaining what to do in your first weeks in Barcelona after you get your residence permit (the first 30 days, temporary housing). For how to bring your belongings and car, read the related article. The first 15 minutes of a consultation are free: book a consultation. A general overview of residence grounds and first steps is on the page residence permit in Barcelona, and preparing documents and translations is described on the page documents and procedures.

Frequently asked questions

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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 02.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.