Moving a dog or cat from Spain to Lithuania is very doable with the right preparation. Preparation is relatively light here, so plan on about 1-3 weeks to be comfortable. No …
Rabies titre testNot required. Spain and Lithuania are …
QuarantineNot required for compliant arrivals from …
Import permitNot required for non-commercial …
Health certificateEU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Spain to Lithuania
typically takes around 1-3 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test is not required.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Before other preparations.
Confirm ISO 15-digit microchip
Responsible: Spanish official vet
2
First vaccination: 21-day wait. Booster: no wait.
EU pet passport with current rabies vaccination
Responsible: Official vet in Spain
3
4-6 weeks before.
Book two-leg routing from Spain to Vilnius
Responsible: Owner or agent
4
Via AMS: approximately 5-7 hours. Via WAW: approximately 6-8 hours.
Travel day: Madrid to Vilnius approximately 6-8 hours total
Responsible: Owner
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip required, recorded in the EU pet passport.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. First vaccination: minimum 21 days before entry. Booster within valid period: no wait.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Spain and Lithuania are both EU member states. No rabies antibody titre test needed.
Quarantine
Not required for compliant arrivals from other EU member states.
Import permit
Not required for non-commercial companion animal movements within the EU.
Health certificate
EU pet passport. Valid throughout the EU including Lithuania.
Export permit
No export permit required for companion animals moving between EU member states.
Health certificate
EU pet passport issued by an official veterinarian in Spain. Records microchip number, rabies vaccination history, and owner details. No additional export health certificate needed for intra-EU travel.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
KLM via Amsterdam
Iberia or Vueling from Madrid (MAD) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), then KLM direct AMS to Vilnius (VNO). Cabin pets and live animal cargo available. Schiphol has IATA-accredited live animal handling. A reliable two-leg option.
Cargo and Cabin
LOT via Warsaw
Iberia or Vueling from MAD to Warsaw (WAW), with LOT Polish Airlines connecting WAW to Vilnius (VNO). LOT accepts cabin pets and cargo on European routes. Warsaw Chopin Airport is a practical Baltic hub.
Cargo and Cabin
Ryanair (cabin only)
Ryanair operates Spain-Vilnius routes from various Spanish airports, including Madrid and secondary airports. Cabin pets only under their policy. No cargo service.
Cabin Only
Lufthansa via Frankfurt
Iberia from MAD to Frankfurt (FRA) with Lufthansa connections to Vilnius. Frankfurt Animal Lounge handles cargo pets. Suitable for large dogs.
Cargo and Cabin
Costs
What this route typically costs
EU pet passport: EUR 50-100 from Spanish official vet
Cabin pet fee MAD to Vilnius (two legs): EUR 80-200
Cargo fee for larger dogs: EUR 500-1,300
IATA travel crate: EUR 60-250
Total for small cabin pet: EUR 130-300
Total for large dog via cargo: EUR 700-1,700
Critical points
Lithuania requires muzzling and lead use in public for Rottweilers, Pit Bull-type breeds, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, and crossbreeds. Contact SFVS at vmvt.lt before travelling with these breeds.
The Spain-Lithuania journey requires at least one connection. Budget for 6-8 hours total travel time, which can be tiring for dogs and cats.
Ryanair is convenient for small cabin pets but cannot accommodate larger dogs. For medium or large dogs, use the KLM or LOT cargo options.
Spanish EU pet passports require an official vet with MAPA authorisation. Confirm before booking the appointment.
Lithuania entry requirements at a glance
Bringing a pet into Lithuania is one of the simpler processes. Cover the core requirements and you should have few surprises.
Getting the details right
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
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.
FAQ
Common questions
No. Spain and Lithuania are both EU member states. No rabies antibody titre test is required for intra-EU movements. A current rabies vaccination in a valid EU pet passport is sufficient. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013.
Lithuania requires muzzling and lead use in public for American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, and crossbreeds. These dogs are not banned from entry into Lithuania. Check vmvt.lt for the current list.
Yes. Cats under 8kg (including the carrier) can travel in cabin on most routes from Spain to Lithuania. A valid EU pet passport is the only document needed. No titre test or import permit required.
No. Lithuania does not impose quarantine on pets arriving from other EU member states. A valid EU pet passport with current vaccination is sufficient. Source: EU Regulation 576/2013.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Lithuania.
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