Shipping a dog or cat from Spain to Germany rewards owners who start planning early. Around 0-1 weeks should do it, as this is an easier route to plan. There is no routine quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order. …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Spain to Germany
typically takes around 0-1 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, step by step
Every step must be completed in sequence. Starting early is critical: a missed deadline can add months.
1
Immediate. Visit your Spanish vet to verify before booking travel.
Confirm EU Pet Passport shows current microchip and valid rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your Spanish vet
2
Before booking. Germany applies restrictions at the state level.
Check breed against German Länder breed restrictions for your destination state
Responsible: You or your vet
3
2-4 weeks ahead. Cabin pet spaces are limited per flight.
Book Iberia or Lufthansa cabin pet space MAD/BCN to FRA/MUC
Responsible: You
4
Day of travel.
Travel to Germany. No border inspection required.
Responsible: You
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter Germany
Every item below must be completed and verified. We manage and cross-check each one.
Entry into Germany
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785). Must be recorded in the EU Pet Passport before the first rabies vaccination.
Required
Rabies vaccination
Required and current. Standard EU protocol: 21-day wait from first vaccination if no prior valid vaccination; no wait for booster within validity period.
Required
Rabies titre test
Not required. Spain is an EU member state. No titre test for intra-EU movement under EU Regulation 576/2013.
Critical
Quarantine
Not required. EU free movement applies to compliant pets.
Critical
Import permit
Not required.
Required
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport sufficient. German authorities accept EU Pet Passports issued in any EU member state.
Required
Leaving Spain
Export permit
No export permit required for intra-EU movement.
Required
Health certificate
EU Pet Passport sufficient for movement to Germany.
Required
Costs
What this route typically costs
Iberia or Lufthansa ticket Madrid or Barcelona to Frankfurt or Munich (EUR 80-250 depending on route and timing)
Cabin pet supplement: typically EUR 50-80 per flight
Cargo hold fee for larger pets (varies by airline and pet weight/size)
Drive costs if taking the road: fuel plus any tolls on Spanish motorways
EU Pet Passport update if vaccination has lapsed (Spanish vet fee, typically EUR 20-60)
Critical points
Germany applies breed restrictions at the Länder (state) level. Bayern, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen, and other states have their own breed lists. Check the rules for the specific German state you're moving to before travel.
Spain's PPP (Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos) list doesn't match Germany's Länder restrictions. Being on Spain's list doesn't automatically mean you're restricted in Germany, but some breeds appear on both.
Confirm the rabies vaccination in the EU passport is current. An expired vaccination makes the passport invalid for travel and will cause problems at German entry if checked.
Cabin pet spaces are limited. Book 4-6 weeks ahead to secure your spot on Iberia or Lufthansa.
Brachycephalic breeds (English and French Bulldogs, Pugs) are restricted from Lufthansa cargo year-round. Use Iberia cargo for these breeds if the pet is too large for cabin.
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 live animal cargo correctly.
IB
Iberia
Cabin: small pets (up to 8kg in carrier) on Iberia intra-European routes. Madrid MAD to Frankfurt FRA or Munich MUC. Cabin pet supplement typically EUR 50-70. Larger pets in cargo hold. Iberia is Spain's national carrier and the most direct option for Madrid departures.
Cabin and Cargo
LU
Lufthansa
Cabin: small pets on Lufthansa intra-European routes from Madrid or Barcelona to Frankfurt and Munich. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round. Strong Frankfurt hub cargo operation.
Cabin and Cargo
VU
Vueling
Cabin: Vueling accepts small pets on intra-EU routes. Multiple Spanish cities to German destinations. Confirm current pet policy before booking.
Cabin and Cargo
DR
Drive (for northern Spain)
San Sebastián to Frankfurt is approximately 14 hours by road. Barcelona to Frankfurt is about 12 hours. Practical for those in northern Spain with larger dogs; others will find flying more efficient.
Cabin and Cargo
AI
Air France via CDG
Via Paris CDG. Useful if direct Spain-Germany options are full. Small pets in cabin on Spanish leg; connect at CDG to Frankfurt or Munich.
Cabin and Cargo
Meeting Germany's entry requirements
The requirements for Germany are light, but not zero. A little planning goes a long way on a route like this.
Advice worth following
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.
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.
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 intra-EU pet movement.
Not directly. Germany applies its own Länder-level breed restrictions independently of Spain’s PPP system. Some breeds appear on both lists; others appear on one but not the other. Check the specific rules for the German state you’re relocating to.
If your EU Pet Passport and vaccinations are current, preparation takes days. If the rabies vaccination has lapsed, allow 21 days from a new vaccination before travel.
Yes. Large dogs travel in the cargo hold on Iberia or Lufthansa. Lufthansa restricts brachycephalic breeds from cargo year-round; use Iberia for flat-nosed breeds. Alternatively, driving is practical from northern Spain for large dogs.
Bayern and Nordrhein-Westfalen are among the most restrictive. Both have lists of breeds requiring registration or prohibited from keeping. Check the specific Länder legislation for your destination state.
Move your pet to Germany.
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