If you're planning a vacation or have bought property in Spain and are moving there permanently, you may want to bring your pets along. In 2024, the import of animals into Spain is regulated by specific EU rules established to ensure animal safety and prevent the spread of diseases.
Here we will examine the key rules that, when adhered to, will help travelers take care of their pets and avoid potential issues when crossing borders.
Content:
Preliminary Preparation
The main document for a pet is its international veterinary passport, which is issued by a veterinary clinic. The second document, without which travel is impossible, is Veterinary Certificate № 1. Its validity period is just 5 days from the date of issuance. During this time, it must be exchanged for a Euro-certificate, which can be done at the airport. This certificate will confirm that the animal is allowed to be in the EU territory, thus serving as an equivalent to a European veterinary passport. Let's check all the data that must be specified in the document so the pet can pass the veterinary control.
- Personal details of the pet owner, including full name, address, and contact information.
- Information about the pet, including breed, age, gender, fur color, etc.
- Information about the pet's vaccinations, including the date and type of vaccine and the vaccine's serial number. There should be at least one month and no more than a year since the rabies vaccination.
- A microchip for pets born after 2011. For the rest, a tattoo is allowed.
- Results of tests for various animal diseases, such as rabies and brucellosis.
- Details of the pet's treatment for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks.
- Information on surgical procedures, such as sterilization or neutering.
- Additional information about the pet's health: presence of chronic diseases or allergies.
Rules for Flying with Pets
First, you should purchase plane tickets: choose the date and call the airline to confirm whether you can bring your pet. The fact is companies have a limit on the number of pets in the cabin, for example, no more than two. If two pets are already registered on board, they will either refuse your transport or offer you the cargo hold (in some cases, they might suggest you buy a business or first-class ticket).
The rules of carriage can vary between airlines, so you should study the information on the carrier's official website before buying plane tickets. Let's look at the transport rules of the international company S7.
- The company allows the transportation of cats, dogs, and birds weighing up to 10 kg in the cabin, including the carrier, the dimensions of which should not exceed 55 × 40 × 25 cm.
- Animals weighing from 10 kg to 23 kg can be placed in a separate seat or in the cargo hold.
- Pets weighing more than 23 kg are placed exclusively in the cargo hold.
- For animals heavier than 50 kg, the carrier offers the services of its partner cargo airline S7 Cargo.
The cost of pet transportation service starts at $32. S7 rules allow guide dogs to be transported in the cabin for people with disabilities, like most carriers. By law, these animals fall under the category of "rehabilitation aids" and have separate transportation rules. Guide dogs of any breed and weight category can be in the airplane cabin only on a leash and in a muzzle.
After coordinating all the details of transportation, you can purchase a ticket and call the airline a few days before departure to reserve your quota.
Rules for Pet Transport in the Cargo Hold
To transport pets in the aircraft cargo hold, a special container that meets the carrier's requirements is needed. It is purchased by the pet owner, who must review the specific airline's requirements. General requirements for the container are:
- Size. The container should be large enough for the animal to turn around freely, but its weight should not exceed 50 kg.
- Material. The container must be made of a rigid fabric, such as plastic or steel, to ensure the animal's safety during the flight.
- Ventilation. It should provide the animal with comfortable access to air.
- The door must close securely to prevent the animal from getting out during the flight.
- Markings. The container should be marked with information about the pet, including its name, breed, weight, and flight.
- A chain or collar. Some airlines may require the animal to be tethered by a chain or have a collar inside the container.
It is important to prepare the pet for the flight in advance, including getting accustomed to the container and the transportation procedure, to reduce stress and ensure a comfortable experience. On the day of transport, it would be sensible to give the animal a sedative as advised by the vet.
