Documents to travel with your dog

These are the usual steps for travelling with a dog from Spain to another European Union country. If your destination is outside the EU, you'll also need whatever that country requires.

1. Microchip. Your dog must be identified with a microchip, fitted before the rabies vaccine or on the same day.
2. Rabies vaccine. It must be valid at the time of travel and recorded in the passport. The dog must be old enough to be vaccinated, and puppies under 15 weeks are not allowed into Spain.
3. Waiting period. After the first vaccination you usually have to wait 21 days before travelling. A booster given on time, with no gap, avoids that wait.
4. EU pet passport. Issued by an authorised vet, it records the microchip and vaccinations. A passport issued in Spain or another EU country is valid for travel within the EU.
5. Additional treatments. Some countries, such as Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway, also require a tapeworm treatment for dogs within a very specific time window before arrival.
6. Keep everything with you. Passport, proof of vaccination and your vet's contact details, on paper and to hand during the trip.

Good to know

• For non-commercial travel, you can take up to five pets per trip.
• Spain's Ministry of Agriculture recommends seeing your vet at least two months before a trip within the EU, and earlier if you're travelling outside it.
• Failing to meet a requirement can mean quarantine or the animal being sent back to its country of origin.
• If your dog is classed as potentially dangerous, there are additional rules to check before you travel.