Bringing Pets and Moving to Mallorca: What Non-Residents Need to Know

EU residents: the EU Pet Passport

If you are resident in an EU country (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, etc.), the process of bringing your pet to Spain is straightforward. The EU Pet Passport is a standardised document issued by a licensed vet that records:

• Your pet's microchip number (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
• Rabies vaccination history (valid vaccinations only)
• Any tapeworm treatments administered
• Owner details

Spain is an EU member and accepts EU Pet Passports for cats and dogs (and ferrets) from all other EU member states with no additional requirements. No quarantine, no border inspection beyond a document check, no waiting periods — provided the vaccinations are current.

Ensure your pet's rabies vaccination is valid before travel. The first rabies vaccination requires a 21-day waiting period before the pet can travel to Spain; boosters that are administered before the previous vaccination expires do not require a new waiting period.

British residents: the UK Pet Travel Scheme (UKPTS)

Post-Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the EU's pet travel system. British residents must use the UK Pet Travel Scheme, which has different requirements.

Requirements under the UKPTS for travel to Spain (an EU member):

1. Microchip: Your pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant chip. Crucially, the microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered — otherwise the vaccination record is not considered valid.

2. Rabies vaccination: Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies by an authorised vet. There is a 21-day waiting period after the primary course before the pet can travel to the EU. This waiting period does not apply if the booster was administered before the previous vaccination expired.

3. Tapeworm treatment: Dogs (not cats) travelling from the UK to the EU must be treated for tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) by a vet, 1–5 days before the scheduled time of entry into the EU. This must be recorded in the animal health certificate.

4. Animal Health Certificate (AHC): Issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) in the UK, the AHC replaces the EU Pet Passport for UK-to-EU travel. It is valid for 10 days from issue for entry into the EU, and for onward travel within the EU for 4 months after that.

Swiss residents: the Swiss equivalent

Switzerland participates in the EU pet travel system through a bilateral agreement. Swiss residents can obtain an EU-format pet passport issued by a Swiss vet. This document is accepted by Spain in the same way as an EU-issued passport, with no additional requirements beyond valid rabies vaccination and microchip.

Airline and ferry policies

Mallorca is served by air and, seasonally, by ferry (from Barcelona and Valencia). Pet policies vary:

By air:

• Most major airlines do not allow pets in the cabin on flights of the length from Northern Europe to Mallorca (typically 2–3 hours). Pets generally travel as checked baggage or cargo.
• Some airlines (notably Iberia and Vueling) allow small pets in the cabin (under 8–10kg including carrier) on selected routes. Check the specific airline policy before booking.
• Costs typically run €50–€150 each way as cabin baggage; cargo rates vary by weight and airline.
• Advance booking for pet spaces is essential — capacity is limited on most routes.

By ferry:

• Baleàlia Lines and Trasmediterránea operate routes between Barcelona/Valencia and Palma. Most ferries allow pets in pet-specific cabins or kennels on board. This is often a more comfortable option for larger dogs or anxious animals.

Registering your pet in Mallorca

Once in Mallorca, you are required to register your pet's microchip with the Registro de Animales de Compañía de Baleares (RACA) — the Balearic companion animal registry. This is done through a licensed vet and costs a small administrative fee (typically €15–€30).

Registration requirements in the Balearics also include:

• Registering your dog with the local ayuntamiento (compulsory in most municipalities)
• Annual rabies vaccination in some municipalities (varies by local ordinance)
• Dog licence (licencia de tenencia de perros) for certain breeds classified as potentially dangerous (PPP — perros potencialmente peligrosos)

Veterinary care in Mallorca

Mallorca has a good density of veterinary clinics, particularly around Palma, the southwest, and the north (Pollença area). Several clinics in tourist-heavy areas have multilingual staff (English, German) and are experienced in treating the pets of non-resident owners.

For ongoing medication, note that some drugs available over-the-counter in the UK, Germany, or elsewhere may be prescription-only in Spain. Bring sufficient supply for your stay and a prescription from your home vet if needed.