Taking your Dog or Cat to Spain from the UK

Our Essential Guide: Traveling with Pets to Spain & Europe - Microchipping, Vaccinations & Animal Health Certificates

1. Microchip and Rabies Vaccination for European Pet Travel

The two most important requirements for traveling with your dog, cat, or ferret to Europe are:

1. Microchipping your pet.

2. Having an up-to-date Rabies vaccination.

Microchipping is a quick and straightforward procedure where a tiny device is inserted under your pet’s skin. It provides a permanent identification method required by law in the UK for all dogs and cats.

The Rabies vaccination, while not routine in the UK due to its rabies-free status, is essential for European travel. If your pet hasn’t been vaccinated, book an appointment at least 21 days before your departure. Here’s what your Rabies vaccination documentation should include:

• Pet details and the 15-digit microchip number.

• Date of rabies vaccination.

• Vaccine batch number and manufacturer.

• Vet’s signature and practice stamp.

👉 Pro Tip: Double-check that the rabies vaccination will remain valid throughout your trip to avoid travel disruptions.

Note: Routine vaccinations are not mandatory for travel but are strongly recommended for your pet’s overall health.

2. Book Your Animal Health Certificate (AHC) Appointment

The Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is your pet’s passport to Europe. This essential document must be:

• Issued at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination.

• Issued within 10 days of your departure date.

Not all vets can issue an AHC—this service is only provided by Official Veterinarians (OVs). During the appointment, the vet will:

1. Check your pet’s health.

2. Scan their microchip.

3. Issue the AHC.

We offer convenient, at-home AHC services, saving you time and allowing you to focus on trip planning.

Note: click here if you want more information about what Animal Health Certificates are.

3. Ready to Travel?

With your AHC in hand, you’re ready to embark! Key things to remember:

• Cross the border within 10 days of the AHC being issued.

• Your AHC allows ongoing travel in the EU for up to 4 months or until your rabies vaccination expires.

• If you leave the EU (e.g., returning to the UK), you’ll need a new AHC to re-enter.

4. Returning to the UK (Dogs Only)

Before returning to the UK, your dog must receive a tapeworm treatment from a vet abroad. This treatment should be:

• Administered 24–120 hours before re-entry.

• Certified in the pet passport or AHC.

Tapeworm treatment is quick and widely available. To avoid last-minute stress, consider booking this appointment in advance.

More Information: Visit the UK Government’s guide on bringing your pet to Great Britain.

Why Choose Us? 🐾

Taking your pet abroad from the UK requires careful planning due to strict time requirements with the Rabies vaccination and the paperwork required. Additionally, the necessary travel documentation must be signed by vets with special qualifications. This can make the process challenging—even for your regular vet.

We specialise in pet travel documentation and happy to help ensuring a safe, smooth, and stress-free journey for your furry friend.

✅ Experienced & Trusted – We’ve helped countless pet owners with their travel preparations, ensuring all documents are in order.
💷 Affordable & Transparent Pricing – Our Animal Health Certificates have some of the most competitive rates in London. Click here to check our prices.
🚪 Convenience at Your Doorstep – We can even perform all the necessary checks at your home, reducing the risk of your pet getting sick by avoiding exposure to unwell animals at the vet.
📄 Expert Handling of Documents – We prepare these documents daily, so you can be confident everything is completed correctly.

Let us take the stress out of pet travel—so you can focus on the excitement of your journey! 🐾