Shipping a dog or cat from Latvia to Spain rewards owners who start planning early. Around 2-6 weeks should do it, as this is an easier route to plan. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
This route does not …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Latvia to Spain
typically takes around 2-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Latvia to Spain pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
Responsible: Latvian vet
Before any vaccination if not already done.
2
Ensure rabies vaccination is current
Responsible: Latvian vet
Primary: 21-day wait. Booster within valid period: immediately effective.
3
EU pet passport or AHC
Responsible: PVD-authorised Latvian vet
Passport: one appointment. AHC: within 10 days of travel.
4
Book flight Riga to Spain
Responsible: Owner
3-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet policy with chosen carrier.
5
Travel to Spain
Responsible: Owner + airline
Travel day. Riga to Madrid or Barcelona via connection is typically 5-9 hours.
Requirements
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 standard (15-digit). Must precede the first rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current vaccination. Primary vaccination: 21-day minimum before entry. Boosters within prior vaccine validity are immediately effective.
Rabies titre test
Not required for intra-EU movement. Both Latvia and Spain are EU member states.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant intra-EU pet movements.
Import permit
Not required for companion pets between EU member states.
Health certificate
EU pet passport (EU-resident owners) or AHC. April 2026: passports restricted to EU-resident owners.
Export permit (Latvia)
No export permit required for companion pets moving from Latvia to Spain.
Costs
What this route typically costs
EU pet passport or AHC: EUR 30-120
Rabies booster (if due): EUR 20-60
Airline cabin pet fee per leg: EUR 25-100
Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 200-700
Total typical range: EUR 150-900
Critical points to read before you book
Ryanair and Wizz Air dominate cheap Riga-to-Spain routes but neither accepts pets. Book with airBaltic, Lufthansa, LOT, or Iberia.
Spain requires microchipping of all dogs and registration in the Anagrafe Canina if residing in Spain. This is a post-arrival domestic obligation, separate from EU travel requirements.
April 2026: EU pet passports valid only for EU-resident owners. Latvian nationals and other EU residents use the passport. Non-EU nationals on Latvian permits: use the PVD AHC.
Summer travel: some cargo carriers apply temperature restrictions on live animal cargo during extreme heat. If flying to Spain in July or August, confirm with the cargo carrier that temperature-controlled live animal acceptance applies on your specific route.
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.
AIRBALTIC
airBaltic
airBaltic from Riga (RIX) connects to Spain via its European network. Small pets in-cabin. Check current RIX-to-Spain routing options and cabin pet fee on the specific itinerary.
Cabin and Cargo
IBERIA
Iberia
Spain's national carrier. Does not fly from Riga directly but connects from major European hubs to Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN). Small pets in cabin on EU routes.
Cabin and Cargo
RYANAIR
Ryanair
Ryanair has multiple Riga-to-Spain routes. Does not accept pets. Not suitable.
Not Suitable
LUFTHANSA
Lufthansa
Via Frankfurt (FRA), then FRA to MAD or BCN. Small pets in cabin. Larger pets as cargo. FRA has established cargo facilities for live animals.
Cabin and Cargo
LOT POLISH
LOT Polish Airlines
Via Warsaw (WAW), then WAW to Spanish destinations. LOT accepts small pets in cabin. A practical alternative for Riga-to-Spain.
Cabin and Cargo
Meeting Spain's entry requirements
The requirements for Spain are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Advice worth following
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.
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.
FAQ
Common questions about Latvia to Spain pet transport
Yes. Dogs residing in Spain must be registered with the local Spanish authorities. The registration uses your dog’s existing microchip number and is linked to your Spanish address and contact details. In Catalonia (where Barcelona is), the Colegio de Veterinarios de Barcelona manages the AIAC registry. Your Spanish vet can help you complete this at your first local appointment.
EU pet passports are issued in a multilingual format. Your Latvian vet enters vaccination information using standardised EU format fields. Spanish vets and the Spanish Anagrafe Canina accept the EU pet passport directly without translation. If your vaccination history is recorded only in Latvian clinical records (not in the passport), your vet can summarise the relevant information in the passport to make it clear.
Yes, overland and sea travel within the EU with an EU pet passport is permitted. You can use a ferry (for example from Riga or Tallinn to Stockholm), drive through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France, and into Spain. Your EU pet passport covers the entire journey within EU member states. Individual ferry operators have their own pet policies for cabin access, so confirm with the ferry company whether your pet can stay in a cabin or must remain in the vehicle deck.
Airline guides
airBaltic
Iberia
Ryanair
Lufthansa
LOT Polish Airlines
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.