Moving your dog or cat from United States to Spain
Short answer: start at least 22 days before your flight. Rules last checked against official sources on 2026-10-30.
This page and the planner are generated automatically from official government sources. Planning tool only — not veterinary, legal or professional advice; no human expert reviews your plan. Always confirm with your vet, the official authority and your airline.
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United States → Spain pet import requirements
| Requirement | Status | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microchip | required | ISO 11784/11785 microchip implanted (and scanned) before the rabies vaccination. | official |
| Rabies vaccine | required | Pet at least 12 weeks old at vaccination; wait 21 days (or the manufacturer's period) after a primary vaccination. US primary vaccinations count as valid for 1 year only. | official |
| Rabies titer test (RNATT) | not required | Not required: United States is on the EU list of countries exempt from the rabies titer test (Reg. (EU) 2026/636 Annex II). | official |
| Health certificate / endorsement | required | New EU non-commercial health certificate (from 1 Oct 2026): USDA-accredited vet issues it (valid 30 days), USDA endorses within 10 days before arrival; owner signs the declaration. | official |
| Quarantine | conditional | None if compliant; non-compliant pets may be refused entry or isolated/quarantined at the owner's expense. | official |
| Approved routes / airports | required | Enter Spain through an authorised travellers' point of entry (PEV) and declare the pet to the Guardia Civil / customs for document and microchip checks. The certificate must be at least in Spanish (EU bilingual model). | official |
| Breed restrictions | conditional | No import ban, but 'potentially dangerous' breeds (Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Akita Inu and crosses) need a municipal licence and €120,000 liability insurance after arrival. | official |
| Other | required | Dogs, cats and ferrets under 15 weeks cannot enter Spain. | official |
Order of steps
- Microchip your pet (ISO) — at least 22 days before the flight. Vet must scan the chip before giving the rabies vaccine.
- Rabies vaccination (pet 12+ weeks old) — at least 22 days before the flight. Wait 21 days after a primary vaccination, or 30 if the manufacturer says so.
- USDA-accredited vet completes the EU health certificate — between 30 and 10 days before the flight. Valid 30 days after the vet signs; time it so USDA can endorse within 10 days before arrival.
- USDA endorses the certificate — between 10 and 2 days before the flight. Within 10 days before arrival; the original ink-signed, embossed certificate travels with the pet.
- Sign the non-commercial declaration — at least 0 days before the flight. Last page of the certificate; it travels with the pet.
- Arrive at an authorised point of entry and declare your pet — at least 0 days before the flight. Present documents to the Guardia Civil / customs control point.
Items marked “verify” could not be fully confirmed; check the official source and your vet.