DE
Germany
✈️
ES
Spain
Pet Transport from Germany to Spain
Taking your dog or cat from Germany to Spain comes down to good timing and the right paperwork. Plan on roughly 20-26 weeks; the checklist is clear and the timing is manageable. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in …
NoneQuarantine on arrival
Moderate routeExpert coordination essential
20-26 weeksPreparation lead time
Fully managedDoor to door service available
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Germany to Spain
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Step by step
The Germany to Spain pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.2
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.3
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.4
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.5
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)6
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabinRequirements
What your pet needs to enter Spain
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be implanted before or on same day as first rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel. EU-harmonised rules. Vaccination must be recorded in EU pet passport or Animal Health Certificate.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Pets from non-EU countries not on the EU listed third countries. Not required for: Pets from EU member states and EU-listed countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 90-day wait from test date before entry
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for pets entering with correct EU-standard documentation.
Import permit
EU pet passport or Animal Health Certificate serves as the travel document
Health certificate
Required. EU Pet Passport (for EU-resident pets) or Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for third-country pets. Issued by: Official veterinarian. Valid for 10 days from issue. AHC valid 10 days from issue for entry. Then valid 4 months for onward EU travel.
Export permit (Germany)
No formal export permit for pets. Health certificate and EU pet passport serve as documentation.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points to read before you book
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
AIR FRANCE
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
EMIRATES
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
BRITISH
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
SINGAPORE
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
KLM
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Spain entry requirements at a glance
The path into Spain is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Getting the details right
Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
FAQ
Common questions about Germany to Spain pet transport
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Spain for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Spain. Start this process as early as possible.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Germany. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Spain’s authority for the exact format required.
Ready to move your pet to Spain?
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Message us on WhatsAppRoute at a glance
FromGermany
ToSpain
Prep time20-26 weeks
ComplexityModerate