Pet Transport South Korea to Spain: 2026 Guide
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities. How we source our data →
The South Korea to Spain process
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Vet in South Korea
Responsible: Official vet and EU-approved laboratory
Responsible: N/A - mandatory waiting period
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: APQA-registered vet plus APQA endorsement
Responsible: Airline cargo and Spanish customs
Spain: entry requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Microchip | ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must predate the rabies vaccination. |
| Rabies vaccination | Valid rabies vaccination required. 21-day wait after primary vaccination. |
| Rabies titre test | Required. South Korea is not EU-listed. FAVN titre test at an EU-approved laboratory. Result must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. 3-month wait from blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026. |
| Quarantine | No quarantine for compliant pets. Spanish customs inspects at Madrid Barajas (MAD). |
| Import permit | No import permit required. APQA-endorsed EU-format health certificate is the required document. |
| Health certificate | EU-format certificate endorsed by APQA, issued within 10 days of travel. |
Export requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Export permit | No formal export permit required for companion animals from South Korea. Primary departure airport: Seoul Incheon (ICN). |
| Health certificate | Official veterinary health certificate issued by an APQA-registered official vet and endorsed by APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency). EU-format required. Issued within 10 days of travel. |
What this route typically costs
| 1 | APQA certificate and endorsement: KRW 50,000-150,000 (approximately EUR 35-110) |
| 2 | FAVN titre test (EU-approved laboratory): EUR 85-170 |
| 3 | IATA-compliant crate: EUR 80-250 if needed |
| 4 | Cargo ICN to MAD via European hub: EUR 900-2,000 depending on crate size and routing |
| 5 | Pet transport agent (optional): EUR 150-400 |
| 6 | Total typical range: EUR 1,300-2,900 |
Read before you book
Airlines on this route
FAVN titre test, 3-month wait, and the APQA certificate from South Korea
Under EU Regulation 576/2013, South Korea is a non-listed third country. Your pet must have a FAVN titre test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an EU-approved laboratory, followed by a 3-month waiting period from the blood sampling date. Source: food.ec.europa.eu, 2026.
The sequence is fixed: ISO microchip first, then rabies vaccination with a 21-day wait, then blood drawn at an EU-approved laboratory. The 3-month clock starts on the blood draw date, not when the results arrive. APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) endorses the EU-format health certificate on the export side. An APQA-registered official vet issues it within 10 days of travel; APQA endorses it before departure. Allow five months from starting the process to departure.
Hub routing from Seoul to Madrid and Spain's PPP obligations
There is no direct cargo service from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Madrid Barajas (MAD). All routings involve a European hub transfer. Air France connects ICN to Paris CDG with onward connections to Madrid. Lufthansa connects ICN to Frankfurt (FRA) with onward connections via Iberia. Korean Air also connects to European hubs with onwards to MAD. Confirm live animal acceptance on all segments, including the hub connection, when booking.
Spain’s PPP (Perro Potencialmente Peligroso) law covers Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, and similar breeds. Import is not refused at the border; Spanish customs does not apply the PPP classification at MAD. Once the dog is in Spain, however, the owner must register the dog as PPP, keep it muzzled in public, use a leash no longer than 2m, hold civil liability insurance, and obtain a PPP licence from the local municipality.
Common questions
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