Pets at Alicante Airport
Air travel with your pet requires thorough preparation. You may have to arrange vaccinations and ensure that you are in possession of all the relevant paperwork. You may also need to purchase an appropriate carry case and other travel accessories.
Travelling with Your Pet to and from Alicante Airport
The rules and regulations differ, depending on which country you are travelling to and from and what type of pet you are travelling with. To help you find out what applies to you and your pet, we have summarised the requirements below. Please note that different rules apply for the commercial movement of pets and animals.
Type of pet
With regards to the rules for pet travel to Spain, pets fall into three categories. A slightly different set of requirements applies to each category.
| Dogs, cats and ferrets | Birds | Other pets (e.g. rabbits, snakes, fish, etc) |
Please note that separate rules apply to assistance dogs.
Travel between Alicante Airport and EU Countries
Dogs, cats and ferrets
| REQUIREMENTS Your pet must have a: | Rabies vaccination AND Microchip A tattoo is only permitted, if this was done before 03/07/2011 and remains legible. |
| DOCUMENTATION Your pet needs the following paperwork: | European pet passport The following sections need to be completed: · Owner · Description of the animal · Marking · Issue of the passport · Rabies vaccination |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for dogs when travelling to certain countries: | For travel from Spain to Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway, your dog must also be treated against E.multilocularis between 24 – 120 hours before entering the country. |
| EXCLUSIONS | You cannot travel to Spain with dogs, cats and ferrets under 15 weeks of age, as any pet younger than 15 weeks will not have a valid vaccination against rabies. |
Travelling with birds and other pets
Please see here for more information on travelling with birds.
Please see here for more information on travelling with other pets.
Travel to Alicante Airport from a Third Country
For travel with a pet from a third country, Alicante Airport is one of the designated Travellers’ Points of Entry.
Dogs, cats and ferrets
| REQUIREMENTS Your pet must have a: | Rabies vaccination AND Microchip A tattoo is only permitted, if this was done before 03/07/2011 and remains legible. |
| DOCUMENTATION Your pet needs the following paperwork: | A European pet passport OR An animal health certificate which must be signed by a licensed veterinarian and written in Spanish.*₁ + A declaration certifying that you are adhering to the conditions of travel for your pet.*₁ + A certified copy of the animal’s identification and vaccination information. |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS for dogs, cats or ferrets when arriving from certain countries: | If you come from a country that is not listed here*₂, your pet must have undergone a serological test for rabies antibodies in an approved laboratory. The result of this test needs to be noted in your pet passport by your veterinarian and must be equal to or higher than 0.5 IU/ml. |
| EXCLUSIONS | You cannot travel to Spain with dogs, cats and ferrets under 15 weeks of age, as any pet younger than 15 weeks will not have a valid vaccination against rabies. If you are travelling from a country that is not listed here, the minimum age of your pet for travel to Spain is 7 months. |
*₁ The animal health certificate and the declaration must be in accordance with the European Union’s models. Please see here for a sample health certificate and declaration.
*₂ Countries that are not listed, are considered to pose an increased rabies risk.
Travelling with birds and other pets
Please see here for more information on travelling with birds.
Please see here for more information on travelling with other pets.
Travel from Alicante Airport to a Third Country
If you are flying from Alicante Airport to a non-EU country, you will need to check the regulations for the country you are travelling to.
| Please see here for information on bringing a pet to Great Britain. |
| If you are flying with your pet to or from the UK, please also see our Brexit page for more information. |
| Please see here for information on bringing a pet to the USA. |
General Travel Preparations
It is important to start making arrangements in good time before your planned flight – ideally at least two months in advance.
You must find out which airlines carry pets (as many do not) and obtain the airline-approved crate in which your pet will travel.
Find out from your airline whether your pet will be travelling in the cabin or in the hold.
Book your flight early, as some airlines restrict the number of pets on any one flight. It is also advisable to reconfirm your flight at least 48 hours in advance of your travel date.
Please note that your pet’s microchip will need to be readable with EU scanners. Chips can differ from country to country. Therefore, even if it is already chipped, it may need to undergo the process again.
Give your pet plenty of time to become familiar with the travel cage. The cage should be purchased well in advance and your animal should have become used to being confined in it for some time.
Travel Arrangements for Your Pet
Pets in the cabin
Every airline is different when it comes to their pet policy, but as a rule, animals are mostly required to travel in the hold. If the airline does permit pets in the cabin, your pet must meet certain requirements such as weighing less than 8 kilos and being able to fit under the seat in front of you. This rule does not apply to guide dogs who are generally allowed to travel in the cabin with their owner.
Pets in the cargo hold
Generally speaking, if you want to bring your pet with you to Alicante it will have to travel in the pressurised cargo hold. While this might seem to raise concerns it is reassuring to note that thousands of pets travel around the world this way every year.
Nearly all airports have specially designated grassy areas where pets can relieve themselves prior to being handed over to the airline for loading. Once you hand your pet over to the ground staff you will not be able to see it again until you have arrived at your destination. Do not give your pet any kind of medication to help relieve stress as if the dog looks tired, lethargic, or sick the airline will refuse to allow it aboard the aircraft.
If possible, only take direct flights and ask a member of the cabin crew to check with the captain to make sure your pet is safely onboard the aircraft. By simply doing this you know that your pet is on the plane and that the captain will be sure the hold is pressurised so that it is suitable for live animals.
VIP Lounge
If you are travelling with your pet, you may be interested to know, that pets are permitted in the Costa Blanca VIP Lounge at Alicante Airport.
Guide- and Assistance Dogs
Guide and assistance dogs can generally travel with their owners free of charge. The dog must, however, be properly equipped with a collar, leash, and muzzle. When travelling with a guide or assistance dog, be sure to tell the airline at least 48 hours in advance. For more information, please see our page Flying to Alicante with an Assistance Dog.
