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These are the rules governing the entry of pet animals into Spain exclusively from the United States and Canada. When in doubt, please check our Frequently Asked Questions page.

For the entry of pet animals into the United States, please check the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or contact the United States Embassy in Madrid.

Commercial entry

Commercial imports of animals are those part of a commercial transaction (purchase or sale) or those in which the number of animals exceeds the following:

  • Five dogs, cats and/or ferrets;
  • Five pet birds
  • One primate (monkey, for example)

Transactions between laboratories, zoological institutions, and other research centers are considered commercial.

Commercial imports of dogs, cats and ferrets into Spain

The following rules concern the commercial import of dogs, cats, and ferrets from the United States or Canada into Spain, pursuant to Council Directive 92/65/EEC.

The importation of dogs, cats, or ferrets less than three months old is not allowed.

It will be considered a commercial import when:

  • The importation consists of more than five animals; or
  • When the animals, regardless of number, are imported as part of a sale or with the intention to sell.

If the importation is non-commercial, please read the requirements for non-commercial imports.

The commercial import of pet animals into Spain may be subject to customs taxes and/or duties. For more information on this, please contact the customs office at the port of entry.

The animals must be examined by an Official Veterinarian within the 24 hours prior to departure. The animals will be accompanied by a certificate, according to this model, and signed by the same veterinarian, which will certify that the animals comply with the following requirements:

  1. On the date of issuance, the animals do not show signs of disease, particularly of contagious diseases affecting the species;
  2. The animals are identified with either a tattoo or a microchip compatible with standards ISO-11784 or ISO-11785 (more information in our Frequently Asked Questions page). If the animals are identified with a non-compatible microchip, the importer must supply the appropriate reading equipment.
  3. The animals have been vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination will be certified by an official veterinarian, supplying the following information:
    • Vaccination date
    • Vaccination valid until…
    • Type of vaccine
    • Name of the vaccine
    • Manufacturing laboratory
    • Lot number
    • Name and address of the veterinarian that administered the vaccine.

Important: For first vaccinations, the rabies vaccine must be administered more than 21 days before entry into Spain; for booster vaccinations, no waiting period is required, provided the booster vaccine was administered before the expiration date of the prior vaccine. For more information see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The last paragraph of section “D” of the certificate does not apply to dogs, cats, or ferrets travelling from the United States and Canada to Spain.

(In order to print the certificate, you will need to install Acrobat Reader, available for free at Adobe's web site).

Please see also our frequently asked questions section.

Other Species

Below is a list of veterinary certification forms for the commercial import of animals into Spain, exclusively from the United States and Canada.

If pet animals under the category of other species travel witout being accompanied by their owner or their owner´s duy authorized representative, the entry of these pet animals will be considered as a commercial import.

Each certificate form includes a detailed explanation of what the requirements are. If you cannot find the certificate you need or have any questions, please write us at info@mapausa.org

(In order to print the certificate, you will need to install Acrobat Reader, available for free at Adobe's web site).