Pet Transport from the United States to Spain

The US-to-Spain corridor is one of the busiest transatlantic pet moves, driven by a growing American expat community in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, and Valencia. Spain's entry rules for …

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Days quarantine on arrival

Airlines on this route

Step by step

The United States to Spain import process

At least 3-4 weeks before travel. Microchip must predate vaccination, and 21 days must pass after first vaccination.

Microchip and rabies vaccination: confirm timing is correct

Responsible: Your USDA-accredited veterinarian

6-8 weeks before travel. Cargo space for live animals is limited on long-haul routes.

Book cargo space with Iberia, American, or BA

Responsible: You or your IATA-accredited cargo agent

Certificate within 10 days of Spanish arrival. Allow 2-10 business days for USDA endorsement depending on submission method.

USDA-accredited vet issues health certificate, submit for USDA APHIS endorsement

Responsible: USDA-accredited veterinarian + USDA APHIS

Spanish border vet inspects documentation at the border control post. Released same day for compliant pets.

Cargo delivery: pet arrives at Spanish airport, border vet inspection

Responsible: MAPA border veterinary authority

Requirements

Spain entry requirements

Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.

Microchip

Required. ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit). Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccination is invalid.

Rabies vaccination

Required. Pet must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination. 21-day wait after first vaccination before travel. Certificate must show vaccination date, product name, and batch number.

Rabies titre test

Not required. The United States is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131, so no rabies titre test is needed for dogs or cats from the USA.

Import permit

Not required for personal imports of dogs and cats.

Health certificate

USDA-endorsed official health certificate, issued within 10 days of Spanish arrival. Covers microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and declaration of health.

Leaving United States

Export requirements

Export permit

No formal export permit required. USDA APHIS endorsement of the health certificate serves as export documentation.

Health certificate

USDA-accredited veterinarian completes an official health certificate, endorsed by USDA APHIS (fee: USD 38 per certificate). Certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in Spain. Process the endorsement via USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (drop-off, mail, or electronic VEHCS system).

Costs

What this route typically costs

Cargo fee (transatlantic cargo for a medium dog: USD 500-1,500+ depending on size and airline)

IATA-compliant crate (required for all cargo shipments)

USDA-accredited vet health exam and certificate

USDA APHIS endorsement fee (USD 38 per certificate)

IATA-registered cargo agent fee (recommended for transatlantic moves)

PPP breed licence and liability insurance if pet is a restricted breed in Spain

Critical points

The USDA endorsement process takes 2-10 business days depending on method. Use the electronic VEHCS system if your destination country supports it, for faster turnaround. Physical drop-off at a USDA Veterinary Services office is the fastest option if you are near one.

Spain's PPP list includes breeds common in the US: Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, and others. If your dog is on the list, you will need to apply for a PPP municipal licence within one month of arrival, including third-party liability insurance and an aptitude test.

Small cats face no US federal export requirements, but they still need the USDA-endorsed health certificate and valid rabies vaccination to enter Spain.

Airlines

Approved carriers on this route

Airline	Notes	Type
Iberia	Cargo from JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD, and other US gateways to MAD. Iberia has the largest operation on this corridor and routes via Madrid Barajas hub with strong live animal handling. Book through a cargo agent.	Cargo Only
American Airlines	American Airlines Cargo accepts pets from the USA to Spain. Routes typically via DFW, JFK, or MIA to MAD or BCN. Note: American has suspended pet cargo on some routes, verify current availability before booking.	Cargo Only
British Airways	Cargo via LHR to Spanish airports. BA World Cargo connects US cities (JFK, LAX, ORD, BOS) to London with onward connections to Spain. One transfer at Heathrow.	Cargo Only
Delta	Delta allows small pets in cabin (under 10 lb / 4.5 kg including carrier) on some US-Spain routes. Delta's cargo service for pets is currently limited to active US military personnel with PCS orders. Not suitable for large dogs as cargo.	Cabin Only

At a glance: USA to Spain vs other USA-to-EU moves

Requirement	USA to Spain	USA to France	USA to Italy	USA to Portugal
USDA health cert	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes (within 10 days)	Yes (within 10 days)
Titre test	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
Quarantine	None	None	None	None
Import permit	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required
PPP/breed rules	Yes (national PPP list)	Varies by region	No national list	No national list
Cats: US export docs	None required	None required	None required	None required
Complexity	Moderate (transatlantic cargo)	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal all follow EU pet import rules for third countries. The documentation process is the same across all four. The main variable is finding a cargo booking on your preferred route.

What cats need: USA to Spain

Cats travelling from the USA to Spain face no US federal export requirements from the USDA end. There are no USDA-issued restrictions on exporting pet cats. The requirements are set entirely by Spain’s entry rules: the cat must be microchipped (ISO standard), vaccinated against rabies (at least 21 days before travel), and accompanied by a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival in Spain.

Cats from the USA are classified as coming from an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131, so no titre test is required and there is no quarantine. For cats small enough to travel in cabin, check whether your airline accepts cats on the specific transatlantic route before booking cargo.

FAQ

Common questions about this route

No. A titre test is not required for dogs or cats travelling from the United States to Spain. The USA is listed as an approved third country under EU Regulation 2026/131. The requirements are: ISO microchip (implanted before rabies vaccination), current rabies vaccination (21-day wait after first dose), and a USDA-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of Spanish arrival.

Iberia is the primary option, with cargo services from JFK, LAX, MIA, ORD, and other US gateways to Madrid Barajas. American Airlines Cargo also operates on this corridor, typically via Dallas, Miami, or New York. British Airways offers connections via London Heathrow. Delta’s cargo service is currently limited to active US military. Verify current availability with each airline or your cargo agent, as policies can change.

USDA APHIS endorsement takes 2-10 business days depending on the submission method. Physical drop-off at a USDA Veterinary Services office is typically the fastest option (1-2 days). Mail-in submissions take longer. Some countries support the VEHCS electronic system, which can also expedite the process. The health certificate itself must be issued within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in Spain, so plan the endorsement timing carefully.

If your dog is on Spain’s PPP (Potentially Dangerous Dog) list (breeds including Rottweiler, Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bullmastiff, Dobermann, Dogo Argentino, and others), you must register with the local municipality and obtain a PPP licence within one month of arrival. The licence requires a background check for the owner, third-party liability insurance, and an aptitude test for the dog. In public spaces, the dog must be muzzled and on a lead of no more than two metres.

On transatlantic flights, in-cabin pet policies vary by airline and route. Some airlines allow small cats (under a specific weight including carrier) in cabin on transatlantic flights, but many restrict in-cabin pets to shorter routes. Check directly with the airline on your specific routing. If your cat is too large or the airline does not allow cabin pets on the transatlantic leg, cargo is the alternative. Spain has no objection to cats arriving via cargo.

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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