Bringing a dog to Spain from the USA is no simple feat, but it is possible. If you’re planning a move abroad and can’t fathom leaving your pets behind, know that you don’t have to. Unfortunately, in 2026 we still don’t have great or affordable options for moving large pets abroad, but it is possible with the right preparation.

In this post, I’ll cover what it’s like flying with a dog internationally, including learnings from my own experience moving my 85lb Golden Retriever and cat to Spain.

---

Table of Contents

---

Can You Bring a Dog to Spain? What Travelers Need to Know

The first thing I researched when considering a move abroad was “can I bring my dog to Spain”. If you’re like me, your dog is your baby, and you’d never dream of leaving them behind.

But at the same time, I couldn’t fathom what the journey would be like when flying with a large dog.

Is it hard bringing a dog to Spain? The answer depends. If you have a small, healthy dog or a service animal, it shouldn’t be difficult for you. But if you have a large dog like I do, it can quickly get complicated.

Who This Guide Is For (Tourists, Expats, Digital Nomads)

This guide applies to not only tourists visiting Spain temporarily, but also to expats, digital nomads, and immigrants who plan to stay in the country long-term. Not only will we cover the logistics of getting to Spain, but I’ll also touch on the cost and planning process.

Is Spain Dog-Friendly Compared to Other European Countries?

Coming from a smaller city in the U.S., I consider Spain to be very dog-friendly depending on where you’re living or visiting. For example, in Madrid, almost all restaurants, bars, and businesses are dog-friendly. The metro is dog-friendly, trains are dog-friendly, and people overall are very accommodating.

If you move to a smaller town this may not be the case. But in major cities within Spain, my answer is a resounding yes.

---

Bringing a Dog to Spain: Entry Requirements for the USA & Non-EU Countries

Traveling to Spain with a dog from the USA or another non-EU country, your dog must meet three core requirements:

• ISO-compliant microchip
• Valid rabies vaccination
• Official health documentation

For the latest updates, make sure you check the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website.

Microchip Requirements for Dogs Entering Spain

According to the APHIS website, the dog microchip requirements in Spain state that dogs should have an ISO compliant microchip before traveling to Spain. ISO-compliant microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long and meet specific international standards.

Talk to your vet before you leave for Spain and they will be able to tell you if you have the correct microchip for international travel.

Rabies Vaccination Rules for Dogs Traveling to Spain

Like all countries in the European Union, your dog will require a rabies vaccine for travel to Spain. It’s important to note that your pet must wait 21 days after vaccination before it can travel.

If your dog does not comply with EU regulations, you may be refused entry into Spain or your dog could be quarantined at your expense. This is the biggest requirement, so it’s worth a double check to make sure your pup is good to go!

Important: Rabies vaccines are only valid if administered after microchipping.

USDA Health Certificate vs EU Pet Passport (What You Actually Need)

I found the different terminology between pet passport and health certificate to be confusing when trying to figure out how to move my dog abroad. Here’s the quick breakdown:

EU Pet Passport

• Used for travel within the EU
• Issued after arrival by an EU vet

USDA Health Certificate

• Required to enter Spain from the USA
• Valid for a limited travel window

Note that while you’ll need a USDA health certificate to enter the EU, having an EU Pet Passport will be necessary if you plan to travel within Europe with your pet after arrival.

USDA Health Certificate for Dogs Traveling from the USA

You will need a USDA health certificate when bringing a dog to Spain. This document will be provided to you after visiting a USDA accredited vet within 10 days of travel.

The vet will also handle getting your documents signed by the USDA, which is a crucial last step before you’re ready to fly.

Will Your Dog Be Quarantined When Entering Spain?

Luckily, Spain does not require quarantine for dogs that meet all entry requirements. However, dogs that arrive without proper documentation may be quarantined or denied entry at the owner’s expense.

---

Bringing a Dog to Spain: A Step-by-Step Timeline

While there is so much that goes into moving abroad with your pet – especially a large one – here’s the quick breakdown of the planning timeline.

This timeline assumes you are traveling from the USA to Spain with a dog under non-commercial EU pet travel rules.

1. 6 months before travel: Research whether you’ll use a pet relocation service or manage travel yourself. If flying your dog in cargo, purchase an IATA-approved travel crate early so your dog has time to acclimate and crate train.
2. 1-2 months before travel: Schedule an appointment with a USDA accredited vet. This is where they’ll make sure your dog’s vaccines are up to date and you have what you need to complete the pre-travel health check.
3. 1 month before travel: If you’re booking travel yourself, find the cargo booking process for your airline and book your pet’s travel. This is usually only available in the weeks prior to departure, and cannot be booked farther in advance.
4. 10 days before travel: Complete the pre-travel health check with your USDA accredited vet within 10 days of travel. This is where they’ll make sure your pet is healthy enough to fly, and their documents are good to go. Following that appointment, your vet will mail the health certificate to the USDA for signature.
5. Week of departure: The USDA will mail the signed USDA health certificate back to you. You will then present these documents when checking your dog in with the airline on the date of travel.
6. Travel day: Arrive 3 hours before your flight to leave enough time for pet check-in. Check your airline’s travel policy for specific instructions.

---

Bringing a Dog to Spain: Flying Cabin vs Cargo

Whether your dog can fly in cabin or must travel in cargo depends almost entirely on their size and airline policies.

Flying with a dog internationally can be very stressful, and a big factor is whether they can travel in cabin or go in cargo.

In my experience, flying with a dog to Spain meant putting my 85lb Golden Retriever in cargo. This is a decision I came to only after exhausting all other options. But in the end, I can confirm that we had a safe and smooth experience.

The only dogs typically eligible to fly in cabin are small dogs under 8kg (17.6lbs) or service dogs. Check the airline requirements directly on their website to confirm, as specific policies vary.

If your dog does not fit into either of those two categories, you will likely have to fly them in cargo.

Bringing a Dog to Spain in Cargo: What to Expect

Flying with a large dog internationally means you’ll likely have to put them in cargo. I wish that in 2026 we had more pet-friendly international travel options, but sadly, that is not yet the case.

With a mile-long to-do list before moving abroad, we decided to hire Starwood Pet Relocation to help relocate our dog. While it wasn’t cheap, it saved us countless time and stress.

If you do plan to move your large dog internationally without support, here are a few things to know:

• Make sure you have an IATA, airline-approved travel crate for your dog
• The booking process will look different for cargo. Research your airline to find the booking process for cargo – some airlines do this online, and others do it over the phone.
• If you have a layover, the airline will handle transferring your pet over to the new plane for you. It’s best to book with an airline like KLM or Lufthansa that has experienced pet handlers so you can ensure your pet is in good hands.
• Cost will vary based on the total weight of your pet + their kennel.

Airline Breed, Size, and Seasonal Restrictions

There are a few flying with a dog restrictions that you need to be aware of.

1. Breed restrictions. Most airlines have a restricted breed list, or policies that prevent snub-nosed breeds (bulldogs, pugs, etc.) from flying in cargo due to health risks.
2. Maximum weight. While airlines have size restrictions for in-cabin pet travel, there are also size restrictions for cargo. Most airlines have a size limit of 50-75 kg (110-165 lbs) and maximum kennel dimensions that require the dog to be able to turn, sit, and stand comfortably inside.
3. Seasonal restrictions. Responsible airlines will not let you fly your dog in cargo when temperatures exceed 80-85°F (27-29°C) or fall below 20°F (-7°C) at origin, layover, or destination. For this reason, it’s best to plan your move during Spring or Fall where seasons are more moderate.

---

Bringing a Dog to Spain: How Much Does It Cost?

Bringing your dog to Spain is considered a luxury, and to be honest – the price tag reflects that. Most travelers spend between $1,000 and $4,000 to bring a dog to Spain on their own, depending on size and travel method.

If you’re trying to find out how much it costs to bring a dog to Spain, know that there are a few key factors to consider.

1. Where you’re traveling from/if you have layovers
2. Size of your pet & crate
3. Cabin vs. cargo

All of these things will determine the overall price of traveling with your dog.

Flight Costs for Dogs

Flying with a dog internationally can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on whether your dog flies in the cabin or as checked cargo. Size, airline, route, and time of year all play a role in total cost.

Flying With a Dog in Cabin

• Typical cost: $125–$500 each way
• Weight limit: Usually under 8–10 kg or 17–22 lbs (including carrier)
• Best for: Small dogs and short-term travelers

Flying With a Large Dog in Cargo

• Typical cost: $500–$3,000+ each way
• Best for: Medium to large dogs traveling long-haul
• Price factors: Crate size, airline fees, seasonal surcharges

Note that this is the cost if you’re planning to book directly through the airline. Prices and airline restrictions tend to fluctuate, so make sure to check directly on your airline’s website prior to traveling.

Vet, Paperwork, and Certification Costs

Beyond flight fees, travelers should budget for veterinary visits, paperwork, and official certifications required to bring a dog to Spain.

• Microchip (if needed): $25–$75
• Rabies vaccination: $20–$60
• USDA health certificate exam: $100–$200 (depends on treatments needed)
• USDA endorsement fee: $35–$175 (varies by service speed/location)
• Document shipping / admin costs: $25–$75

Total recommended budget for paperwork/certificate costs: $205–585

Bringing a Dog to Spain: Pet Relocation Services vs DIY

Whether or not to hire a pet relocation service comes down to the complexity of your move, and how much you’re willing to spend.

If you have a small pet, you can likely handle the move yourself with minimal stress. However, if you have large or multiple pets, you may want to look into a relocation service.

The pet relocation service cost in Spain will depend on where you’re coming from. From Chicago to Madrid, we ended up paying a service about $10,000 (ouch, I know) to relocate our Golden Retriever and our cat abroad.

Here’s why we decided it was worth the spend:

• Starwood Pet Travel, our service provider, handled the paperwork and entire preparation process for us from start to finish.
• Our pets had to take a different route than us. Due to pet processing hours and customs processes in Spain, our pets had to do an overnight stop in Munich instead of flying direct with us.
• Services included door-to-door pet transport, cutting out all the logistical challenges for my husband and I.
• Starwood gave us real-time progress updates and vet health check updates throughout the whole process.
• Most importantly, they only work with pet-friendly airlines and team members who treat your pets like family.

For our situation, hiring a relocation service made the process significantly easier. If you have too much on your plate and the budget to spend on a service, I would highly recommend hiring a service like Starwood.

---

FAQs About Bringing a Dog to Spain

---

Free Printable Checklist: Bringing a Dog to Spain

Traveling internationally with your dog can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to keep track of travel requirements, logistics, airline rules, and travel crates. That’s why I created a one-page, printable checklist to help you stay on top of it.

This checklist covers everything from:

• Planning 6 months before your flight
• Vaccinations, microchips, and health certificates
• Airline bookings and crate preparation
• Travel day essentials and arrival steps in Spain

Whether you’re flying your small dog in cabin or relocating a large dog in cargo, this checklist ensures you don’t miss a single step.

Download your free printable pet travel checklist below!

---

Final Thoughts

Moving abroad is stressful enough on its own, and adding pets to the mix can feel overwhelming. Flying a dog internationally requires careful planning, the right documentation, and plenty of preparation. But once you arrive and settle into your new life in Spain, all the effort pays off.

Personally, my dog adjusted to life in Madrid faster than I did! Watching him explore the city, meet new people, and become part of our community has been one of the most rewarding parts of our move.

If you’re planning a move abroad with a dog, I hope this guide and the resources provided help make your journey smoother and less stressful.

I’d love to hear from you: have you relocated internationally with a pet? Share your tips, questions, or lessons learned in the comments below!

Related Posts You Might Like:

• How to Make Your Dream of Moving Abroad a Reality in 2026
• 10 Resources and Tools To Help You Plan Your Move Abroad
• 9 Culture Shocks in Spain You’ll Experience As An Expat