How do I take my pet back to the UK?

Taking a dog or cat from Spain to Great Britain is simpler than from most countries: an EU pet passport is accepted and there’s no quarantine if the paperwork is right. The parts that need planning are the tapeworm timing for dogs and finding an approved route, as most budget airlines aren’t on it.

Your countdown

Which document your pet needs

For pets coming to Great Britain from an EU country, GOV.UK accepts any of these:

• A pet passport issued in an EU country, such as one from your Spanish vet
• An animal health certificate (AHC) issued in Great Britain in the last 6 months
• A Great Britain pet health certificate
• A pet passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021

The Canary Islands follow the same rules. The vaccination record must show your pet’s date of birth, the microchip number and where it is, the vaccine name and batch, the date the first vaccination is valid from and the date the latest one is valid until, with the vet’s details. Pets can be stopped if details are in the wrong place. If your pet missed a booster, it has to restart its vaccinations, and the 21-day wait applies again.

Tapeworm treatment for dogs

Every dog entering Great Britain needs it, unless it comes directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway. Spain isn’t on that list. The treatment must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive. If your ferry or flight is delayed past 120 hours, your dog may need treating again, so build in some slack, especially on the long Spain ferry crossings.

Ferry, car or plane

• Direct ferry: the approved routes from Spain are Santander to Portsmouth, Santander to Plymouth and Bilbao to Portsmouth, all with Brittany Ferries. On sailings to and from Spain, dogs can’t stay in your car: they go in an onboard kennel or with you in a pet-friendly cabin, and cats must be in a pet-friendly cabin. Space is very limited in summer
• Driving through France: approved crossings include Eurotunnel Le Shuttle from Calais and ferries from Calais, Dunkerque, Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff. Check the company accepts pets and how many
• Flying: pets entering Great Britain by plane must travel as cargo in the hold, unless you’re on a private charter or with an assistance dog. On the GOV.UK list updated 5 October 2026, approved airlines include Iberia and Iberia Express (Heathrow and Gatwick), British Airways (Heathrow and Gatwick), Air Europa (Gatwick) and TUI Airways. easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Vueling weren’t on it. The list changes often, so check it and confirm with the airline before you book

Rules that catch people out

• Stricter rules (known as Balai rules) apply if your pet arrives more than 5 days before or after you, if you bring more than 5 pets (unless for a show or competition), or if you plan to sell or rehome it
• If you don’t follow the rules, your pet can be put into quarantine for up to 4 months, or refused entry if you came by sea. You pay any fees
• Some breeds Spain treats as potentially dangerous, such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Rottweilers, aren’t banned in Great Britain. But pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiros and XL Bullies are banned, unless the dog already has a certificate of exemption

What it costs

The total depends on the route: a vet visit for the passport and tapeworm treatment, any rabies booster, a pet cabin or kennel on the ferry, or an airline cargo booking and crate plus the reception centre fee in the UK. Prices vary with your pet’s size, the route and the time of year, so ask for itemised quotes. Pets can come in free of import duty and VAT under transfer of residence relief: see How do we settle back into the UK?