ES
Spain
✈️
DO
Dominican Republic
Pet Transport from Spain to Dominican Republic: 2026 Field Guide
4-6 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Moderate
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Spain to Dominican Republic
typically takes around 4-6 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
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Overview
Bringing your dog or cat from Spain to Dominican Republic takes some coordination, but the requirements are well defined. Expect about 4-6 weeks. Nothing here is unusually complex, but the deadlines matter. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
This route does not call for a rabies titre test. Map your dates against the steps below and you will stay on track.
Step by step
The Spain to Dominican Republic process
1
First step. Must be completed before any rabies vaccination to ensure the vaccination is recognised.
Confirm or implant ISO 11784/11785 microchip.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Spain
2
At least 5 weeks before travel. Administer a booster if the vaccination has lapsed and wait the full 30 days.
Confirm rabies vaccination is current and given at least 30 days before planned Dominican Republic entry.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Spain
3
Can coincide with the rabies check. DGAG inspectors check vaccination records on arrival.
Ensure DHPP vaccination (dogs) is current. Cats: confirm rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia are up to date.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Spain
4
Within 10 days of cargo check-in. Document product name, date, and dose.
Internal and external antiparasitic treatment within 10 days of departure.
Responsible: Your veterinarian in Spain
5
4-6 weeks before travel. From Madrid, direct cargo options to SDQ are available. Confirm live animal acceptance.
Book cargo space from MAD (or BCN) to SDQ.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
6
Within 15 days of departure (the Dominican Republic allows 15 days, longer than the EU standard of 10). Issue the certificate within 10-12 days of travel to be safe.
Veterinario oficial examination and MAPA-endorsed AHC.
Responsible: Veterinario oficial, autonomous community veterinary services endorsement
7
48 hours before departure.
Notify DGAG of arrival at SDQ 48 hours before your flight.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
8
Travel day.
Travel day: present all original documents at cargo check-in at MAD. Allow 3-4 hours before scheduled departure.
Responsible: You or your pet transport agent
Checklist
Dominican Republic: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required. ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit chip. Must be in place and readable before travel. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required. Administered between 30 days and 12 months before entry. An expired vaccination or one given fewer than 30 days before arrival will not be accepted. Source: DGAG (Direccion General de Ganaderia), agricultura.gob.do. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies antibody titre test for personal companion pets from Spain. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for pets arriving with compliant documentation. DGAG veterinary inspection at Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo, on arrival. |
| Import permit | Not required for personal companion pets (up to five animals with their owner). |
| Health certificate | Required. Issued within 15 days of travel. Must include owner's full name and address, plus the animal's name, breed, sex, colour, age, and microchip number. Dogs: DHPP vaccination (distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus) must be current. Cats: rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia vaccinations must be current. Source: DGAG, agricultura.gob.do. |
Leaving Spain
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No export permit required for companion cats and dogs leaving Spain. |
| Veterinary inspection | Clinical examination by a veterinario oficial within 10 days of departure. Contact your local autonomous community veterinary services to book the official vet appointment. |
| Health certificate | Official AHC for non-EU destinations, issued by a veterinario oficial (official vet) and endorsed by the competent authority. In Spain, the endorsement is handled by the autonomous community's official veterinary service (Servicio Veterinario Oficial) on behalf of MAPA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentacion). Source: mapa.gob.es. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Cargo fees MAD to SDQ: EUR 600-1,600 depending on pet weight, crate size (direct routing from Madrid can be competitive) |
| 2 | IATA-compliant travel crate (if not already owned): EUR 60-220 |
| 3 | Veterinario oficial examination and MAPA-endorsed AHC: approximately EUR 80-180 |
| 4 | DHPP/rabies boosters and cat vaccines if due: EUR 50-120 |
| 5 | Antiparasitic treatment certificate: EUR 30-60 |
| 6 | Pet transport agent for cargo coordination (optional): EUR 300-700 |
| 7 | Total typical range: EUR 800-2,400 |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ The 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination is strictly checked at SDQ. Verify your pet's vaccination date against the planned entry date before booking.
⚠ The AHC validity window for the Dominican Republic is 15 days from issue, not the standard EU 10 days. This gives more scheduling flexibility but does not remove the 48-hour notification requirement.
⚠ From Madrid, Iberia operates regular cargo services to Santo Domingo, which can simplify routing. However, always confirm live animal acceptance on your specific booking.
⚠ Notify the DGAG veterinary station at SDQ of your pet's arrival 48 hours before the flight. Arrivals without prior notification may face delays.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Iberia
Iberia operates direct cargo services from Madrid Barajas (MAD) to Las Americas Airport (SDQ). As Spain's primary carrier with extensive Dominican Republic routes, Iberia is the most straightforward option for cargo from MAD to SDQ. Confirm live animal acceptance and current schedules with Iberia Cargo.
Air Europa
Air Europa operates scheduled services from Madrid (MAD) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) and may carry live animal cargo on this route. Useful when Iberia cargo capacity is limited. Confirm live animal cargo acceptance before booking.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Cargo routing via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to SDQ for pets departing from Barcelona or other Spanish cities where connecting via Amsterdam is more practical than routing through Madrid. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments.
What Dominican Republic requires
The path into Dominican Republic is straightforward to follow once you know the steps. Give the time-sensitive items priority and check the details below.
Avoiding the common mistakes
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. No titre test is required for companion pets from Spain entering the Dominican Republic. A current rabies vaccination (given 30-120 days before entry) and a MAPA-endorsed AHC are the main requirements.
No. There is no quarantine for compliant arrivals. DGAG officers inspect pets at SDQ on arrival. If your documentation is correct, your pet is cleared on the same day.
The veterinario oficial is an official government veterinarian working under your autonomous community’s agricultural or health authority. Contact your local ayuntamiento or conselleria de agricultura to find the nearest official vet for international travel certificates.
Iberia operates direct cargo from Madrid (MAD) to Santo Domingo (SDQ) and is the most straightforward option. Air Europa also serves MAD-SDQ. For departures from Barcelona, KLM via Amsterdam is an alternative. Confirm live animal acceptance before booking.
Four to six weeks for most pets with current vaccinations. The main constraint is the 30-day minimum wait after rabies vaccination. Schedule the official vet appointment and the antiparasitic treatment within the validity window for your travel date.
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