At a glance
- Typical timeline: 4-10 weeks from start to arrival
- Complexity: Low — plan well ahead
- Quarantine: No routine quarantine for pet dogs or cats. Animals must appear healthy upon arrival.
If you’re relocating from Spain to Canada and taking your pet, the good news is thousands of families do this every year.
This route is relatively straightforward compared to some international routes. Start preparations at least 4 weeks before your travel date – some steps have fixed waiting periods that cannot be shortened.
Getting the timing right is critical. Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer.
The Journey, Step by Step
What Canada Requires
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785 recommended)
Rabies Vaccination
Required
Titre Test
Not required for standard pet imports from most countries
Quarantine
No routine quarantine for pet dogs or cats. Animals must appear healthy upon arrival.
Import Permit
Personal pet imports (1-2 animals) do not require an import permit. Commercial imports (for sale, breeding, adoption, fostering, or more than 2 dogs) require CFIA import permit.
Health Certificate
Required
What to Budget For
- Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
- IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
- Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
- Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Before You Leave Spain
Show export requirements from Spain
Export permit: No export permit required for cats and dogs.
Health certificate: AHC required for export to non-EU countries. EU pet passport valid for intra-EU movement.
Things to Know Before You Book
What to know about the Spain to Canada route
Compared to some international pet transport routes, Spain to Canada is manageable. That said, every country’s rules are different and the timing requirements are strict.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) manages pet imports. Requirements are relatively straightforward compared to USA, Australia, or Singapore. Government portal blocked automated extraction; data compiled from published CFIA guidelines and cross-referenced with CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) documentation. Important: Canada suspended import of commercial dogs from high-risk rabies countries in September 2022; personal pet imports may still be affected.
Things to sort before you book
Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.
Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.
If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
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