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Travelling to the Costa del Sol with your pet

The documents your dog or cat needs to come to the Costa del Sol from the EU or the UK, and how to enjoy your holiday together once you're here.

Written by
Pata y Sol editorial team
Published
A person walking their dog on the sand by the sea
Photo: Clyde He / Unsplash

More and more people spend their holidays on the Costa del Sol with their dog or cat. With a little planning it’s easy, but you should start on the paperwork several weeks in advance.

Rules checked in September 2026. Requirements for travel from the UK may change if the EU and the UK agree new arrangements, so always confirm them on your government’s official website before you travel.

Coming from another EU country

Your pet needs:

  1. A microchip, implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.
  2. A valid rabies vaccination, given from 12 weeks of age. After a first vaccination you must wait 21 days before travelling.
  3. An EU pet passport, issued by an authorised vet, showing the microchip and the vaccination.

Coming from Great Britain

Since Brexit, pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for entering the EU. You’ll need:

  1. A microchip and a rabies vaccination, with the same 21-day wait after the first dose.
  2. An Animal Health Certificate (AHC), issued by an official vet within the 10 days before you arrive in the EU. It also covers onward travel within the EU and your return for a limited time: check the exact dates on your certificate.
  3. Arrival through an authorised travellers’ point of entry.

Spain does not require tapeworm treatment for entry.

Going back to the UK

Dogs need a tapeworm treatment given by a vet between 24 hours and 5 days before arriving in the UK, recorded in their documents. Book early at a clinic on the coast: demand is high in peak season. You can find one in our vet finder, which lets you filter clinics where English is spoken.

Breeds classed as potentially dangerous

In Spain, dogs classed as potentially dangerous must wear a muzzle and a short lead in public places, and their owner needs a municipal licence and third-party liability insurance. If your dog is one of these breeds, find out before you travel how the rules apply to visitors.

Once you’re here: tips for the Costa del Sol

  • It’s hot from June to September. Walk early and late. Read how to avoid heatstroke.
  • Beaches: in summer, dogs are only allowed on dog beaches. You can be fined elsewhere.
  • Leishmaniasis: a common disease in southern Spain. If your dog lives in northern Europe, talk to your vet before the trip about a repellent collar or spot-on.
  • Processionary caterpillars: from January to April, stay away from pine woods. Here’s why.
  • Save an emergency number on day one. Here are the 24-hour hospitals.
  • Accommodation: get written confirmation that pets are welcome and whether there’s a supplement.
  • Getting around: rules on trains and buses depend on the company and the size of your pet. Check before you buy tickets.
  • Bars and restaurants: many terraces welcome dogs, but indoors it’s up to each business. Ask before you go in.

Sources