The European Union has decided to tighten controls on pet travel with new regulations coming into force this month. The aim is to make travelling with pets safer, to make it easier to monitor their movements between countries and to improve health checks.
From 22 April, it will be compulsory for all dogs and cats travelling between Member States to have an individual European pet passport. This document will be essential for any non-commercial travel within the EU. The passport is not a mere formality, but a comprehensive document containing the animal’s details. It includes information such as the microchip number, the owner’s identity, the vaccination history and any veterinary treatments received, as well as the vet’s validation.
The measure forms part of Regulation (EU) 2016/429, updated in 2026, through which Brussels seeks to harmonise rules across all EU countries. The aim is to avoid discrepancies between national laws and close any potential legal loopholes that might facilitate the illegal trafficking of animals or the forgery of documents.
Another key point is health checks. Under these regulations, the authorities will be able to verify more easily that animals meet the necessary health requirements, thereby reducing the risk of disease spreading among animals and, in some cases, to humans.
In the case of Spain, the impact will be limited, as most dogs and cats already have this passport, which is usually issued at the veterinary clinic when the microchip is fitted, as required by law. Even so, owners must take several requirements into account before travelling.
These include the rabies vaccination, which must have been administered at least 21 days before the trip, as well as specific deworming in the days leading up to the journey. The animal must also be at least 12 weeks old and a vet must certify that it is in good health.
Failure to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences. The animal could be detained at the border, placed in quarantine or even returned to its country of origin. Furthermore, owners face financial penalties which, in Spain, can reach up to 50,000 euros in the most serious cases.