Importing and Keeping Pets in Spain

If you want to bring your pet into Spain when youAnyone who has crocodiles, alligators or other reptiles
relocate there are a few things that you must putlarger than 2 kilos
into place beforehand. The rules differ depending onAmphibians, spiders, scorpions, snakes, crustaceans
what kind of pet you want to bring with you, but inetc. or fish whose bite can cause harm to humans
general a pet can be imported ifCarnivorous animals larger than 5 kilos or primates
It is accompanied by the owner or a representativeand wild mammals larger than 10 kilos has a period of
of the ownersix months to hand the following animals in to public
The pet must have a certificate of origin and healthfacilities or officially sanctioned private facilities - if not
if it is more than 3 months old - this certificate alsoyou face a fine of up to 115,000EUR
states that the pet has been under the supervisionNew regulations cover such pets as crocodiles,
of the owner for 3 months before importation andalligators, lions, snakes, primates and various
declares that the pet is not intended for tradeamphibians, reptiles and mammals.
If you are importing a dog the certificate would alsoThe law covering dangerous dogs has included the
state that the anti-rabies inoculation is valid. TheDoberman to this list - Staffordshire Terrier, Pit Bull
rabies jab must have been taken place in the lastTerrier, Rottweiler, Argentinian Dogo, Brazilian Fila,
year - although in certain cases this is reduced to 6Toso Inu and Akita Inu. There is also a new category
months. You get this certificate from the Animaland regulations on animals that have been trained to
Health Divisional Office - your vet will be able to pointattack. All of the above breed of dogs deemed
you in the right direction.dangerous, plus any dog trained to attack are only
If you want to bring in a bird, a monkey or otherallowed on public thoroughfares if attached by a 1
species you will need a certificate that states theremeter unbreakable lead and are muzzled - plus they
has been no outbreak of disease that would affectmust be controlled by an adult, and only one dog per
that species for the last 60 days.adult. The owner will need a special license from their
In March 2006 it became obligatory to chip dogs,local authority - and in order to get one of these
cats and ferrets - if you do not have a chip in yourlicenses the owner must have no felony convictions,
pet you could be fined anything between 500EURmust take a test to make sure they comply with
and 2,000EURphysical and psychological requirements and take out
There are also regulations to cover dangerous orthird party insurance of 175,000EUR.
exotic pets that may be a threat to people or theThese dangerous dogs are banned from areas used
environment - the national law on dangerous animalsby children - parks, school playgrounds etc. The dog
was introduced in 1999. New regulations coming intoowner must carry a Documento Autonómico
force in February 2008 cover crocodiles, lions, snakes,de Identificación y Registro Animal (Animal
alligators, various amphibians, reptiles, primates andIdentity and Registration Document.
mammals.