Official Spain Travel Guide
Traveling with Your Dog from United States to Spain
Flying from the US to Spain with your dog? Here's everything you need to ensure a smooth journey.
Basic Requirements
For Travelers Starting in the US:
- β’ Your dog must have a microchip that can be read by a universal scanner
Note: Must be implanted before rabies vaccination - β’ Valid rabies vaccination
- β’ You must obtain an EU Health Certificate from a USDA-accredited vet and have it endorsed by the USDA within 10 days before traveling
For Spanish/EU Residents Returning with EU Pet Passport:
- β’ Your dog must have a microchip that can be read by a universal scanner
- β’ Valid rabies vaccination recorded in EU Pet Passport
- β’ Valid EU Pet Passport (no additional health certificate needed)
Note: Can be obtained from any EU-certified veterinarian
Special Requirements for Young Dogs
Important: Unvaccinated puppies under 12 weeks old from the US are not permitted entry into Spain
Rabies Vaccination Requirements
- β’ Minimum age: 12 weeks old at time of vaccination
- β’ Microchip must be implanted before vaccination
- β’ Wait 21 days after primary vaccination before travel
- β’ Vaccination must remain valid throughout stay in Spain
Timeline & Planning
For US Travelers:
- 1. Microchip implantation
- 2. Rabies vaccination after microchip
- 3. Wait 21 days after vaccination
- 4. Get EU health certificate (within 10 days of travel)
- 5. Obtain USDA endorsement
For Spanish/EU Residents Returning:
- 1. Verify microchip functionality
- 2. Check rabies vaccination validity in the EU Pet Passport
Additional Considerations
- β’ Commercial rules apply when traveling with more than 5 dogs
- β’ Verify airline-specific requirements for pet travel
- β’ Keep copies of all vaccination records and treatments
- β’ Consider a pre-travel veterinary check-up
- β’ Check US re-entry requirements with CDC and USDA
Based on Spanish and EU Regulation (EU) No 576/2013
Last updated: 2/11/2025