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Pet Transport from Spain to Germany

Spain to Germany is clean and simple. Both EU member states operating under the same regulations. Your EU Pet Passport is the complete documentation. No titre test, no quarantine, no import permit. The main practical …

Lead time needed0-1 weeks
Quarantine stayNot required
Route complexityVery Low
Airlines5 on this route
Service levelFully managed
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Route at a glance
FromSpain
ToGermany
Preparation0-1 weeks
ComplexityVery Low
QuarantineNo
Related routes
Pet Transport Germany to Spain→
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

EU Pet Passport: the only document you need

Germany applies EU Regulation 576/2013 identically to Spain. A Spanish-issued EU Pet Passport is fully recognised at any German entry point. The requirements are the same: ISO microchip recorded in the passport, current rabies vaccination within the manufacturer’s validity period.

If the vaccination has lapsed, book a booster with your Spanish vet. A booster within the previous vaccination’s validity period takes effect immediately, no waiting period. A first vaccination in a new course requires a 21-day wait before travel.

Lost the passport? Your vet issues a replacement, re-vaccinates if records aren’t available, and you wait 21 days from the new vaccination. Start this process the moment you know you’re moving.

Breed restrictions: the German state-level system

Germany doesn’t have a single national breed ban. Instead, each of the 16 L\u00e4nder (federal states) has its own legislation. The breeds most commonly restricted across multiple states include Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, and Rottweilers, though the exact rules vary by state.

Bayern (Bavaria) and Nordrhein-Westfalen have some of the more comprehensive lists. If you’re moving with a breed that might fall under restricted categories, look up the specific rules for your destination German state before travel. Your new local Veterin\u00e4ramt (veterinary office) can advise on registration requirements on arrival.

Iberia vs Lufthansa: choosing your carrier

Both airlines are strong options for Spain-Germany pet moves. Iberia, as Spain’s national carrier, connects Madrid to Frankfurt and Munich several times daily with cabin pet acceptance for small animals. Lufthansa offers the same from both Madrid and Barcelona and has a particularly strong Frankfurt cargo operation for larger pets.

For flat-nosed breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs), be aware that Lufthansa restricts brachycephalic breeds from cargo year-round on all routes. If your pet is too large for the cabin and is a brachycephalic breed, use Iberia cargo instead.

Vueling serves smaller Spanish cities to German destinations and allows cabin pets on intra-EU routes. Check current pet policies before booking as they can change.

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.

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