Pet Transport from Spain to Lebanon
The Spain to Lebanon route follows the same pattern as other non-EU destinations, with one layer others do not have: you need to assess the current situation in Lebanon before starting anything. Lebanon has experienced political and economic instability that …
The Spain to Lebanon import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Owner
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Veterinarian in Spain
Responsible: Veterinarian in Spain
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: MAPA-approved official veterinarian
Responsible: Owner plus airline cargo desk
What your pet needs to enter Lebanon
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Check FCDO (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon) and Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advisories before planning any travel to Lebanon. The political and security situation can change rapidly.
Lebanese administrative timelines are unreliable. The Ministry of Agriculture permit can take significantly longer than officially stated. Build a generous buffer into your timeline and do not book flights until you have the permit.
The EU pet passport does not cover entry into Lebanon. A MAPA-endorsed EU export health certificate is required.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Do I need to check travel advisories before moving a pet to Lebanon?
Yes, and this is the first step, before any permit application or vet appointment. Lebanon has experienced significant political and economic instability, and the security situation can change rapidly. Check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon and Spain’s own advice at exteriores.gob.es before making any plans.
If official guidance recommends against travel to Lebanon, hold off on all preparations until the situation changes. Pet transport is not worth attempting if the travel advisory recommends avoiding the destination.
If travel is advisable, proceed to the permit application. Keep monitoring the advisories throughout your preparation period, as conditions can change.
How does the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture permit process work?
The permit application goes to agriculture.gov.lb. You will submit your pet’s details (species, breed, ISO microchip number, vaccination status) along with your intended travel dates and the entry point, Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) in Beirut.
Apply as early as possible, before booking flights. Lebanon’s administrative capacity has been significantly reduced by the country’s economic difficulties, and processing times are not consistent. A pet transport agent with established contacts at the Ministry can help track the application and follow up when needed. If you are managing the process yourself, maintain regular contact with the Ministry rather than waiting for it to come to you.
Do not book flights until the permit is confirmed or at least well advanced with a reliable issue date. The permit must be presented on arrival at BEY.
Which airlines fly pets from Spain to Beirut?
There are no direct flights from Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN) to Beirut. Turkish Airlines connects through Istanbul on MAD-IST-BEY and BCN-IST-BEY routings. Book cargo space directly with Turkish Cargo and confirm pet acceptance on both legs.
Air France via Paris CDG offers a useful alternative, particularly from Madrid. The CDG hub is well equipped for transit cargo, and Air France Cargo has experience with connecting pet shipments. MEA (Middle East Airlines) is worth checking for direct or connecting options from Spanish airports.
Cargo fees for Spain to Beirut run EUR 600 to EUR 1,600, which is lower than the Central Asia routes. Total costs including the health certificate, crate, and any agent fees fall in the EUR 900 to EUR 2,600 range. Using an agent is worth considering for this route given Lebanon’s administrative complexity.