Bringing Your Dog or Cat from the UK to the Murcia Golf Resorts (2026 Rules)

To take a dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain to Spain you need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a UK vet for every trip. Since 22 April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK residents are no longer valid, so second-home owners must use an AHC each time.

For many of our buyers, the dog is part of the plan from day one. Once they have seen the garden, the next thing on a buyer's mind is usually: "Can she come too?" The answer is yes, with a little paperwork. Here is how it works in 2026.

What does my pet need to travel from the UK to Spain?

Every dog, cat or ferret travelling from Great Britain to Spain needs three things, in this order.

• A microchip, fitted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination.

• A rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days before you travel. Puppies and kittens must be at least 12 weeks old when vaccinated.

• An Animal Health Certificate, issued by an Official Veterinarian in the UK no more than 10 days before you arrive in the EU.

You also need a short written declaration that the move is non-commercial, which your vet can help with. Each pet needs its own certificate.

For a first trip, work backwards from your travel date. Check the microchip reads correctly and have the rabies vaccination done at least a month ahead, which leaves a comfortable margin over the 21-day wait. Then book an Official Veterinarian for no more than 10 days before you arrive in the EU, and reserve pet space on your ferry or tunnel crossing early, as places go quickly at busy times.

What changed for UK pets in 2026?

The main change is that EU pet passports issued to UK or Northern Ireland residents stopped being valid for travel on 22 April 2026. Some owners had obtained Spanish pet passports while living in the UK; those can no longer be used, and Spanish vets will not issue new passports to non-residents, including second-home owners.

There were also changes in your favour. Once your pet has entered the EU, the certificate now covers onward travel within the EU and the return to the UK for six months, up from four. The limit on non-commercial travel is now five pets per private vehicle.

If someone else is driving your pet over, they need your written permission alongside the pet's paperwork.

How does the Animal Health Certificate work?

The AHC is a one-trip document. It must be issued within 10 days of your pet entering the EU, and it is valid for a single entry.

Costs vary by vet, but around £100 per certificate is typical, and each pet needs its own. Book the appointment early, as not every practice has an Official Veterinarian, then schedule the visit itself as close to your departure date as the 10-day window allows.

Take the vaccination record and microchip details with you. Most ferry and Eurotunnel routes accept pets travelling with you; airlines vary, and many only carry pets in the hold or as cargo.

For owners who come over several times a year, the cost and planning add up. That is one reason some owners choose to keep their pet in Spain for long stays rather than shuttling back and forth.

Once you arrive, the climate needs a little care. In summer, walk dogs early and late, carry water and watch for hot pavements. From late winter into spring, keep dogs away from the nests and trails of processionary caterpillars in pine areas, as their hairs can cause serious reactions. Your local vet will advise on these and on preventive treatment against sandfly-borne leishmaniasis, which is common in southern Spain.

What do I need to come back to the UK?

To return to Great Britain, dogs need a tapeworm treatment from a vet between one and five days (24 to 120 hours) before arrival, recorded on the certificate. Cats and ferrets do not need this.

Your AHC covers the return trip if you come back within six months of first entering the EU. If you stay longer, check gov.uk for the paperwork you need before you travel home.

It is worth finding a local vet near your home early on. There are practices in most towns around the resorts, including Torre-Pacheco, Los Alcázares and Alhama de Murcia, and many are used to British clients.

What changes if I become resident in Spain?

Once you are resident, your pet can get a Spanish-issued EU pet passport. That requires registering the animal in Spain with a local vet, who records the microchip on the regional pet register.

A Spanish passport makes trips to the UK and around the EU much simpler, because you no longer need a new certificate each time. Residents who still hold a UK-issued passport must replace it with a Spanish one.

It is also worth checking that your home insurance includes liability cover for your dog. Many policies can add it cheaply.

On the practical side, the resorts are good places for dogs. Alhama Nature at Condado de Alhama has open countryside on the doorstep, and Sierra Espuña is close by. Some beaches on the Mar Menor and Costa Cálida are dog-friendly, while others ban dogs in summer, so check the local rules.

Beach rules vary by town and season. Many beaches ban dogs during the summer bathing season, while some municipalities designate dog-friendly beaches, and rules are often relaxed outside summer. In towns, keep dogs on a lead in public places and always clean up after them, as local fines can apply.

We arrange and accompany viewing trips across the resorts, and we're happy to show you the plans for each home's outdoor space, along with the walks and nearby vets, so you can picture life here with your pet.

FAQ

Can I still use an EU pet passport from the UK?

Not if you live in the UK. Since 22 April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK or Northern Ireland residents are no longer valid. Use an Animal Health Certificate for each trip.

How long before travel does my dog need a rabies jab?

At least 21 days before you travel, and after the microchip has been fitted.

How long is an Animal Health Certificate valid?

It must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU and covers one entry. It then covers onward EU travel and your return to the UK for six months.

Does my dog need a tapeworm treatment to return to the UK?

Yes. A vet must treat your dog between 24 and 120 hours before you arrive back in Great Britain. Cats do not need it.

Can I get a Spanish pet passport as a second-home owner?

No. Spanish vets will only issue pet passports to pets registered in Spain, which in practice means residents.

If you'd like to see some great new homes with room for your dog or cat, and the walks around them, we should talk. Message me on WhatsApp on +44 7424 864 684 or send an enquiry and I'll get straight back to you.

*This article is general information, not legal or veterinary advice. Pet travel rules change, so always check gov.uk before you travel.*

About the author — Lee Doherty is the founder of MedSol Real Estate. He spent two years researching the region before buying here himself, and now helps UK and international buyers find golf-resort homes across the Region of Murcia.