Moving Your Pets to Spain – A Guide for UK Pet Owners
Many people dream of swapping the UK for sunny days in Spain, but if you’re a pet owner, you may be wondering about the logistics of doing so and if it’s even possible. The good news is that many pet owners successfully relocate with their furry friends every year.
However, before you choose your property and make arrangements for the move, it’s important to fully understand the rules and regulations regarding taking your pets with you to Spain.
Preparing Your Pet
Since Brexit, there have been changes to the regulations regarding moving a pet to Spain. Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, you need to ensure your pet is microchipped with a chip that is compliant with ISO 11784/11785 and that they have had a rabies vaccination within the past year and no sooner than 21 days before you arrive in Spain. Your pet will also need an animal health certificate from your vet or a valid EU pet passport, and a declaration of non-commercial transport to show you’re not intending to transport the animal to sell it or transfer ownership.
Arrange Your Travel
There are several options for how you can travel to Spain with a pet. Flying can be challenging, as they can only travel as cargo rather than in the cabin, so most people tend to choose car travel or by ferry. There are several routes you can take. For example, you can take the Eurotunnel to Calais and drive down to Spain, take the ferry from Portsmouth and drive from France to Spain, or the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk and drive from there.
Each route has its own requirements for where your dog will need to stay during the crossing, with some having pet-friendly cabins and others requiring your pet to stay in the car, so make sure you research this beforehand to determine what will be most practical for you and best for your pet.
If your pet will be travelling with a pet transport company or you have a friend or relative taking them for you, you will need to be travelling within five days of your pet’s departure date. If you will be travelling outside of this period, you will need an Export Health Certificate instead.
Get an Animal Health Certificate within 10 Days of Travel
As mentioned previously, an Animal Health Certificate will be needed from your vet and should be issued within 10 days of your departure date and over 21 days since their rabies vaccine. Up to five pets can be registered on the same certificate, and it’s valid for four months from the data of issue but bear in mind that they are single use. So, if you need to travel back and forth from the UK to the EU, you will need a new certificate each time. The language on the certificate will also be in English and the language of the country you’re entering in the EU. This means if you’re travelling directly to Spain, you will need the certificate in English and Spanish, but if you’re travelling via another country such as France, it will need to be in English and French.
Make Your Pet Comfortable
Travelling can be extremely stressful for pets, especially if they’re not used to being in kennels or cages, so aim to make the journey as comfortable for them as possible. Before you depart, get your pet familiarised with the crate by taking them for a stroll or to the park in the cage, and consider speaking to your vet about medications to calm anxiety if this is something they are prone to. Make sure the cage you’re using has plenty of room for them to move around freely so they’re not too cramped and consider putting a blanket and toys inside, so they feel safe.
If you’re new to Spain and are planning to rent a property, whether long-term or temporarily while you look for a permanent place to live, make sure you’re allowed to have pets in the property. If you’ve purchased a home, you won’t need to worry about this unless you have a PPP (Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos) dog which are certain breeds that are considered more dangerous. In this case you will need to ensure your property is inspected to confirm there’s protection for others around you.
Get Insurance and Licenses
Most areas in Spain don’t require pet insurance for cats or non-dangerous dogs, but it is essential that you have liability insurance with a minimum coverage of €120,000 if you have a PPP breed. You’ll also need to obtain a license for a PPP dog which registers your pet with the local municipality. This license is valid for five years, but the dog’s registration does need to be renewed annually.
Making the move to Spain is an exciting experience and with the right planning and documents in place, you can bring your four-legged friends with you too. For expert advice in finding the right property in the Mijas Costa area and assistance with your move, contact Windsor Consultants today.