ES
Spain
✈️
FR
France
Pet Transport from Spain to France
0-1 weeks
Typical preparation
None
Quarantine on arrival
Very Low
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Spain to France
typically takes around 0-1 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Start your journey
Get Your Free Quote
Enter your pet's details and route
Quotes are tailored to your specific journey.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Reviewed guides prioritise government and carrier sources; older pages are clearly flagged. How we source our data →
Overview
Moving a dog or cat from Spain to France is very doable with the right preparation. Expect about 0-1 weeks, with a short and predictable checklist. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order.
This route does not call for a rabies titre test. The full checklist, requirements and airline options are set out below.
Step by step
The Spain to France process
1
Immediate. Book a vet visit if in any doubt about the vaccination expiry date.
Check EU Pet Passport shows current microchip and valid rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your Spanish vet
2
Book rail or air tickets 1-3 weeks ahead. No booking needed to drive.
Choose transport mode: drive (simplest), rail, or fly
Responsible: You
3
Day of travel.
Travel to France. No border inspection required.
Responsible: You
Checklist
France: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport. |
| Rabies vaccination | Required and current. Standard EU protocol: 21-day wait from first vaccination, no wait for valid booster within validity period. |
| Rabies titre test | Not required. Spain is an EU member state. No titre test for intra-EU movement under EU Regulation 576/2013. |
| Quarantine | Not required. EU free movement applies to compliant pets. |
| Import permit | Not required. |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport sufficient. |
Leaving Spain
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No export permit required for intra-EU pet movement. |
| Health certificate | EU Pet Passport sufficient for movement to France. |
Costs
What this route typically costs
| 1 | Driving: fuel only. No pet-related fees at the border. |
| 2 | Rail: Renfe/SNCF ticket (EUR 50-180 depending on route and class) plus any pet supplement. |
| 3 | Iberia or Air France cabin pet fee (typically EUR 50-70 supplemental charge). |
| 4 | EU Pet Passport update if vaccination is lapsed (vet fee, typically EUR 20-60). |
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Confirm the rabies vaccination in the EU Pet Passport is current and within the manufacturer's validity period. An expired vaccination makes the passport invalid for travel.
⚠ Spain has category 1 and 2 PPP (Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos) breed restrictions. France has Categorie 1 and 2 restrictions. If you have a restricted breed, check French rules before travel, they are not identical to Spain's.
⚠ Microchip number in the passport must match the chip in your pet when scanned. Any discrepancy causes problems at any inspection.
⚠ Keep the EU Pet Passport accessible if driving. Random checks occur at EU internal borders.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Drive (recommended)
Most Spain-France pet moves happen by car. Barcelona to Perpignan is 1 hour 40 minutes. Madrid to San Sebastián is 4 hours. Your pet stays with you throughout. No cargo separation, no airport stress. EU free movement applies at the border.
Renfe / SNCF Rail
Cabin: Spain-France high-speed rail (TGV and Renfe AVE) allows small pets in carriers on most services. Barcelona to Paris takes about 6.5 hours. Madrid to Paris requires a change.
Iberia
Cabin: small pets in carrier (up to 8kg including carrier) on Iberia intra-European routes. Madrid MAD or Barcelona BCN to Paris CDG. Flight under 2 hours but airport adds significant time.
Vueling
Cabin: Vueling accepts small pets in cabin on intra-EU routes. Check current breed and weight restrictions before booking.
Air France
Cabin: small pets on Air France Spain-France routes. Direct connections from Spanish cities to Paris CDG.
What France requires
The requirements for France are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Avoiding the common mistakes
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.
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
FAQ
Common questions
No. A valid EU Pet Passport with current ISO microchip and rabies vaccination is all that’s required under EU Regulation 576/2013. No titre test, import permit, or quarantine applies to EU-to-EU pet movement.
Yes. EU free movement applies. No scheduled pet inspection occurs at the Spain-France road border. Keep the EU Pet Passport accessible in the vehicle for any random check.
If your EU Pet Passport and vaccinations are current, you can travel within days, or immediately if driving. The only delay would be if the rabies vaccination has lapsed, in which case allow 21 days from a first vaccination before travel.
Yes. The TGV/Renfe AVE connection from Barcelona (Gare de France) allows small pets in carriers. Check current SNCF and Renfe pet policies for your specific service as weight and carrier size rules apply.
France and Spain both have restricted breed lists but they aren’t identical. France’s Categorie 1 and 2 system covers fighting-type dogs and breeds including Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Rottweilers. Check your breed specifically against French rules before travel.
Ready to book
Spain to France?
Spain to France?
Get a free quote →
No commitment. We reply within one business day.