Destination Sheet: Spain

Last verified: 23 February 2026
Competent health authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA)
Official URL: https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/desplazamiento-animales-compania/

Global classification of the destination

Regulatory model

Model B: conditional quarantine for non-compliance. Spain, under the European Union regulatory framework, allows direct entry of pets that fully meet health requirements. In case of non-compliance, the animal may be isolated until pending requirements are met, returned to the country of origin, or in extreme cases euthanised, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 576/2013. There is no routine quarantine for animals with complete documentation.

Rabies status of the destination country

Canine rabies-free in mainland and islands. Ceuta and Melilla maintain special surveillance due to geographic proximity to endemic areas in North Africa.
Source: WOAH — https://www.woah.org/en/disease/rabies/

Classification system for countries of origin

Yes. Spain applies the European Union list system established in Implementing Regulation (EU) 577/2013. Countries are divided into two categories: countries listed in sections 1 and 2 of Annex II (low risk, exempt from RNATT) and non-listed countries (high risk, with mandatory RNATT).

Peru is a non-listed country, classified as high rabies risk. Sharing this category in Latin America: Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and most Central American and Caribbean countries. Chile, Argentina and Mexico are in evaluation or partial listing processes; verify their current status before each file at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0577

Requirements for dogs

Microchip

— Required standard: ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785 (EU Regulation 576/2013).
— Must it be implanted before vaccination? Yes. Identification must be prior to or simultaneous with rabies vaccination for it to be valid under European regulations.
— If the chip was implanted after: the vaccination loses validity. Must be revaccinated after implantation and restart all deadlines from scratch.

Rabies vaccination

— Mandatory: Yes.
— Minimum age for vaccination: 12 weeks (EU Regulation 576/2013, Art. 10).
— Minimum post-vaccination period: 21 days for primary vaccination before sample collection for RNATT (MAPA, https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/viajar-perros-gatos-hurones.aspx).
— Recognised validity: according to the manufacturer's technical datasheet (1 to 3 years), provided there are no immunisation gaps. If the vaccine expires during the post-RNATT waiting period, the booster must be applied before the exact expiry date or the continuity of the entire process is lost.
— Types of vaccine accepted: inactivated with at least one antigenic unit per dose, or recombinant vaccine.
— If expired: the new dose is considered primary vaccination. The 21-day wait, sample collection for RNATT and 3-month waiting period are restarted.

Rabies serological titre (RNATT)

— Mandatory: Yes, for animals from Peru and all non-listed Latin American countries.
— Minimum threshold: 0.5 IU/mL (EU Regulation 576/2013, Art. 10).
— Minimum post-vaccination period before sample collection: 30 days from vaccination (EU Regulation 576/2013).
— Post-collection waiting period: 3 months (90 days) from the blood sample collection date until entry into Spain. This period is counted from collection, not from the result receipt date (MAPA, https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/viajar-perros-gatos-hurones.aspx).
— EU accredited laboratories list: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/approved-rabies-serology-laboratories_en
— If the result is below threshold: mandatory re-vaccination and new sample collection 30 days later, fully restarting the 3-month waiting period.

Other vaccines required by entry regulations

European entry regulations for Spain do not require additional vaccines to rabies as a legal import requirement.

However, for SENASA — the official veterinary authority of Peru — to issue the International Health Certificate for export, it requires a complete and current vaccination scheme. Without that scheme, SENASA does not certify the animal and the process cannot begin. For dogs this includes: Distemper, Parvovirus, Infectious canine hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Leptospirosis. For cats: Panleukopenia, Feline viral rhinotracheitis and Feline calicivirus. Verify the current scheme required by SENASA directly at https://www.gob.pe/senasa before starting the export process from Peru.

The same logic applies to all Latin American countries of origin. Each national veterinary authority requires its own complete vaccination scheme to certify export, regardless of what the destination country requires. Without that scheme, the authority of the country of origin does not issue the certificate and the process cannot proceed.

Consult directly with the relevant authority the vaccination scheme required for export before starting any procedure.

Antiparasitic treatments

Not identified in primary regulations consulted as a mandatory requirement for direct entry to Spain from Peru. Antiparasitic treatments are mandatory for entry to Finland, Ireland, Malta and Norway, but not for mainland Spain or islands under current EU regulations.

Health certificate

— Official name: Health Certificate for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats or ferrets from third countries (Annex IV of EU Implementing Regulation 577/2013).
— Who can issue it: official veterinarian of the country of origin. In Peru: SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa). In Colombia: ICA. In Ecuador: AGROCALIDAD. In Brazil: MAPA Brazil SDA. In other Latin American countries: the equivalent national veterinary authority indicated in the table above.
— Validity time window: 10 days from official signature until entry control in the EU.
— Does it require endorsement? Yes, mandatory. In Peru: signature and stamp of SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa).
— Official certificate model: https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/modelo_cert_perros_gatos_hurones_paises_terceros_tcm30-379374.pdf

Official entry document

— Exact name: European Union Health Certificate for non-commercial movement from third countries + Non-commercial declaration.
— Who issues it: in Peru, SENASA based on the official EU model (Annex IV, Regulation 577/2013). In each Latin American country: the equivalent national veterinary authority.
— Validity time window: 10 days from issuance until entry point in Spain (EU Regulation 577/2013).
— Official model URL: https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/modelo_cert_perros_gatos_hurones_paises_terceros_tcm30-379374.pdf

Mandatory digital forms

Not identified in primary regulations consulted for non-commercial pet movements with entry via Traveller Border Control Point (TTP).

Quarantine

— Mandatory: Not routine. Conditional for documentary or health non-compliance detected at the entry point.
— Facilities: isolation centres authorised by the corresponding Autonomous Communities to the airport of entry.
— Cost: entirely borne by the owner.
— What can prolong it? Incomplete documentation, post-RNATT waiting period not fulfilled, unreadable or non-ISO microchip, or expired vaccine.

Breed restrictions

Yes. Law 50/1999 and Royal Decree 287/2002 establish the regime for Potentially Dangerous Dogs (PPP) in Spain. The affected breeds are: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu. These animals can enter Spain, but require local administrative license, mandatory civil liability insurance, use of muzzle and short leash maximum 2 metres in public spaces. Management of these requirements is the responsibility of each Autonomous Community and municipality of final destination.

Minimum entry age

Approximately 7 months for animals from Peru and non-listed Latin American countries: 12 weeks minimum age + 30 days post-vaccination for sample collection + 90 days post-collection waiting period (EU Regulation 576/2013, Arts. 10 and 11).

Requirements for cats

Microchip

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Rabies vaccination

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Serological titre (RNATT)

Same as dogs — see previous section. The 0.5 IU/mL threshold and 3-month waiting period apply equally to cats from Peru and non-listed Latin American countries.

Other vaccines required by entry regulations

European regulations do not require additional vaccines to rabies for entry. However, SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) requires a complete vaccination scheme to issue the International Health Certificate from Peru. For cats: Panleukopenia, Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FHV-1) and Feline calicivirus (FCV). Without this current scheme, SENASA does not certify the animal. The same principle applies to ICA in Colombia, AGROCALIDAD in Ecuador, MAPA Brazil in Brazil and the other Latin American veterinary authorities indicated in the table in the previous section.

Antiparasitic treatments

Not identified in primary regulations consulted as a mandatory requirement for entry to Spain.

Health certificate

Same as dogs — see previous section. Issued and endorsed by SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) in Peru, or by the equivalent veterinary authority in each Latin American country of origin.

Official entry document

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Mandatory digital forms

Not identified in primary regulations consulted.

Quarantine

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Breed restrictions

Not identified in primary regulations consulted for cats. All domestic breeds are allowed.

Minimum entry age

Same as dogs — see previous section.

Variations by country of origin

Differentiated requirements by origin?

Yes.

Risk classification system

EU list system (Regulation 577/2013). Countries listed in Annex II are exempt from RNATT and the 3-month waiting period. Non-listed countries — including Peru and most of Latin America — must comply with the full protocol with serology and waiting period. Verification URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0577

Situation of Peru and Latin America

Peru is a non-listed country. Sharing this classification: Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and most Central American and Caribbean countries. The requirements detailed in this sheet apply in full to any file originating in these territories. Export certification in each case corresponds to SENASA in Peru (https://www.gob.pe/senasa), ICA in Colombia, AGROCALIDAD in Ecuador, MAPA Brazil SDA in Brazil, SAG in Chile, SENASICA in Mexico, SENASAG in Bolivia, SENACSA in Paraguay, MGAP-DGSG in Uruguay and INSAI in Venezuela.

Transit through third countries

If an animal from a listed country transits through Peru or any non-listed country, it must comply with that transit country's requirements, including RNATT, unless the owner can certify by declaration that the animal had no contact with other rabies-susceptible animals and remained in the means of transport or in the airport international area during the entire transit (EU Regulation 576/2013).

Common errors

ERROR 1: Sample collection before 30 days post-vaccination

What happens: the sample is taken before the immune system has responded sufficiently. The antibody titre often falls below the 0.5 IU/mL threshold.
Regulatory consequence: test rejection; need to re-vaccinate and wait 30 additional days for new sample, restarting the 3-month waiting period (EU Regulation 576/2013).
How to prevent it: strictly respect the 30 natural days from vaccination before any sample collection.

ERROR 2: Calculating the 3-month wait from the result date, not from collection

What happens: the owner schedules the flight counting 90 days from when they receive the laboratory result, when the counter starts on the blood collection day.
Regulatory consequence: rejection at the Traveller Border Control Point (TTP); mandatory quarantine at the owner's expense until 90 days are completed (MAPA, EU Regulation 576/2013).
How to prevent it: calculate the eligible flight date as day 91 from blood collection, with an additional 2-3 day margin for time zone differences.

ERROR 3: Unreadable or non-ISO standard microchip

What happens: the implanted chip cannot be read by standard ISO scanners at Spanish customs. Common with non-homologated chip brands implanted in clinics in Peru, Colombia or Ecuador that do not verify the standard.
Regulatory consequence: the animal is considered unidentified; all associated vaccines and tests are invalidated (EU Regulation 576/2013).
How to prevent it: verify chip reading with two different scanners before issuing any document. SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) requires this verification for certificate endorsement in Peru.

ERROR 4: Use of laboratory not accredited by the European Commission

What happens: the sample is sent to a laboratory with WOAH or national accreditation but not included in the official list of laboratories approved by the EU for RNATT.
Regulatory consequence: the result is null for legal purposes of import to Spain and the entire EU.
How to prevent it: consult the official list before collection: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/pet-movement/approved-rabies-serology-laboratories_en

ERROR 5: Vaccine expiry during the 3-month waiting period

What happens: the vaccine current at the time of RNATT expires before the flight date and the owner applies the booster after expiry, breaking immunisation continuity.
Regulatory consequence: loss of validity of the entire process; need to restart from vaccination (EU Regulation 576/2013).
How to prevent it: calculate the expiry date of the active vaccine when starting the process and schedule the booster before that date if the waiting period reaches it.

ERROR 6: Incorrect sequence between identification and vaccination

What happens: the certificate shows that the rabies vaccine was administered one day before microchip implantation. Common error in clinics in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador that do not know the sequence requirement of EU Regulation 576/2013.
Regulatory consequence: the vaccine is invalid under European regulations; the process must be restarted from vaccination with chip already implanted.
How to prevent it: verify that the chip implantation record has a date prior to or equal to the vaccination. SENASA verifies this sequence in the endorsement; if there is discrepancy, it does not certify.

Minimum calendar from scratch

Scenario A — Animal with microchip and current vaccination (vaccine with more than 30 days)

— Day 0: sample collection for RNATT and dispatch to EU accredited laboratory.
— Day 15 (approximately): receipt of positive result (≥ 0.5 IU/mL). SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) can start managing the certificate endorsement in parallel.
— Day 85-88: issuance of the International Health Certificate by SENASA and official endorsement. 10-day validity window for the certificate.
— Day 91: minimum eligible date for shipment to Spain.
— Total minimum time Scenario A: 3 months from sample collection.

Scenario B — Animal with no prior history, from scratch

— Day 0: ISO microchip implantation + rabies vaccination (minimum age 12 weeks completed). SENASA registers the microchip in the animal traceability system.
— Day 30: sample collection for RNATT (minimum 30 days post-vaccination, EU Regulation 576/2013).
— Day 45 (approximately): receipt of positive result from EU accredited laboratory.
— Day 115-118: issuance and endorsement of the International Health Certificate by SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa).
— Day 120: minimum eligible date for shipment.
— Total minimum time Scenario B: 4 months from scratch.

Authorised entry points

Entry point restriction applies. Animals must enter through Traveller Border Control Points (TTP) designated by Spain for receiving companion animals from third countries.

Official URL: https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/desplazamiento-animales-compania/puntos-entrada-viajeros.aspx

Directory of authorities

Cited current regulations

1. Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 — On the non-commercial movement of companion animals. Articles 10 and 11 on requirements for animals from non-listed third countries. URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/ALL/?uri=celex%3A32013R0576 — Verified: 23 February 2026.
2. Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 — Models of identification documents, lists of territories and third countries, and forms. Annex II (country list) and Annex IV (health certificate model). URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013R0577 — Verified: 23 February 2026.
3. Law 50/1999 (Spain) — Legal regime for keeping potentially dangerous animals. PPP breeds and administrative requirements in Spanish territory. URL: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1999-23825 — Verified: 23 February 2026.
4. Royal Decree 287/2002 (Spain) — Implements Law 50/1999; establishes the official list of PPP breeds and license, insurance and public space control requirements. URL: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2002-5492 — Verified: 23 February 2026.

Spain is the most requested destination from Peru and from all Spanish-speaking Latin America, and it is also the one that concentrates the most avoidable errors. The most frequent in practice is not the lack of documentation but the incorrect calculation of the waiting period: owners count the 3 months from when they receive the laboratory result, not from the collection day. That confusion costs quarantines. What differentiates Spain from the rest of the EU is not the federal regulation, which is identical for all member states, but what happens after entry: powers become regional, and PPP dogs need immediate local registration in the destination municipality. Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro generate the most frequent problems because their owners do not identify them as PPP until they are at Barajas. The other point that few anticipate from Peru: SENASA does not issue the International Health Certificate with just the rabies vaccine. It requires the complete current scheme. If the animal arrives at SENASA with only rabies vaccination, the process stops there, not in Madrid.

This sheet was verified against primary sources on 23 February 2026. Requirements may change without notice. Always verify directly with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and with SENASA (https://www.gob.pe/senasa) before starting any export process from Peru.