Pet Transport from Spain to the UK: What Changed After Brexit
Thousands of British residents in Spain return to the UK each year – or split their time between both countries. Since Brexit took effect in January 2021, the pet travel rules changed, though not as drastically as many feared.
The Current Position
EU Pet Passports issued by Spanish vets are currently accepted for entry into Great Britain. This is different from the UK-to-EU direction, where UK-issued passports are no longer valid. However, the UK government has indicated this could change – check the latest APHA guidance before every trip.
What Your Pet Needs
- Microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
- Valid rabies vaccination (within the certificate’s validity period)
- EU Pet Passport issued by a Spanish vet OR an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) if your pet’s passport is outdated
- Tapeworm treatment (dogs only, 1 to 5 days before UK entry) – recorded in the passport or AHC
Approved Routes and Pet Travel Operators
Not every route into the UK is approved for pet travel. Check that your chosen ferry company or airline is listed as an approved route on the UK government’s pet travel routes page (gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain). Brittany Ferries routes from Santander and Bilbao to Plymouth and Portsmouth are approved and popular.
Canary Islands Consideration
Pets coming from the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, etc.) follow the same Spain rules – but the additional flight leg means you need to check that your carrier handles pets on the Canary Islands to mainland Spain sector as well.
Northern Ireland: Slightly Different Rules
Northern Ireland remains aligned with EU pet travel rules under the Windsor Framework. Pets entering Northern Ireland from Spain can use EU Pet Passports without restriction – but check the latest status, as this area of regulation continues to evolve.
Spanish Deregistration
If you are permanently relocating to the UK, deregister your pet from the Spanish RSCE (Registro de Animales de Compania) or your local Ayuntamiento. This avoids future registration fees and confusion.
Check the APHA website and gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain for the latest rules before any trip. This guide is current as of May 2026.