How to Travel from the UK to Spain with Your Dog: The Complete 2026 Guide

Taking your dog from the UK to Spain used to be simple. Since Brexit, it isn't. The rules have changed, the paperwork has multiplied, and getting it wrong at the border can mean your dog is refused entry — or worse, quarantined.

This guide tells you exactly what you need, in the right order.

What changed after Brexit

Before the UK left the EU, British pet owners could use an EU Pet Passport to travel freely. That's no longer valid for travel from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) — even an EU-issued passport, if you live in the UK. Northern Ireland residents have different rules.

You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip. It's not a one-off document — you need a new one every time you travel.

The requirements, in order

Get these in place before you contact a vet for your AHC. The certificate is only valid for a short window, so sequence matters.

1. Microchip

Your dog must be microchipped to ISO standard 11784/11785. This must have been done before the rabies vaccination — if the chip was implanted after the jab, the vaccination doesn't count and you'll need a new one.

2. Rabies vaccination

Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine must be administered at least 21 days before travel if it's a first vaccination. Booster vaccines are valid immediately if given within the required period.

Keep the vaccination record — your vet will need it when issuing the AHC.

3. Animal Health Certificate (AHC)

The AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) — not all vets are OVs, so call ahead. It must be issued no more than 10 days before you arrive in Spain.

The certificate is valid for:

10 days from issue to enter the EU
6 months of onward travel within the EU, from the day you enter
6 months from issue for re-entry into Great Britain (if you plan to return)

It covers one trip — you'll need a new AHC for your next one. And your dog's rabies vaccination has to stay valid for the whole trip: if it expires while you're away, the AHC can't be used for onward travel or to come home.

4. Tapeworm treatment (for return to Great Britain)

If you're coming back to Great Britain, your dog must be treated for tapeworm by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days before re-entering. This is not required to enter Spain.

Travelling through France

Many people drive to Spain via France. The same AHC rules apply — you're entering the EU at the French border, so your certificate must be valid at that point.

What to carry at the border

Your dog's microchip number (check it scans correctly beforehand)
Vaccination record
Original AHC (printed — Spain does not accept digital versions)

Common mistakes

Getting the AHC too early. It must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Book your vet appointment carefully.

Vaccine timing. A 21-day wait applies to first vaccinations. If you're travelling soon, check whether your dog's existing vaccination is still valid.

Not checking your vet is an OV. Only Official Veterinarians can issue AHCs. Your regular vet may not be one.

Travelling with a breed Spain restricts

If your dog is a Staffie, Rottweiler, or a similar type, Spain may treat it as a potentially dangerous dog (PPP) — with muzzle, leash, and insurance rules that apply the moment you arrive. That's separate from the travel paperwork above. Here's what UK owners need to know about PPP dogs in Spain.