Bringing Your Pet to Madrid, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Madrid involves navigating the EU’s pet travel requirements, from microchipping and rabies vaccination to the right health certificate for entry into Spain. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you. We coordinate with airlines, ground handlers, and Spanish border officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you’re moving to Madrid for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Spain, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Madrid
Recommended
MAD
Spain’s largest airport.
- Distance from city center8 miles (13 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a designated point of entry for pets from outside the EU.
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from multiple major hubs
- Best forMost pet relocations to Madrid
BCN
- Distance from city center385 miles (620 km)
- Live animal cargo facilityYes, a designated point of entry for pets from outside the EU
- Direct flights from US hubsYes, from multiple major hubs
- Best forRelocations to Catalonia, or when a Barcelona routing is the better fit
i
Why airport choice matters
Pets arriving in Spain from outside the EU must enter through a designated travelers’ point of entry. Madrid–Barajas is Spain’s largest airport and its main long-haul hub, so most pets bound for Madrid can land close to home. Barcelona is a long drive or a domestic flight away, and it only makes sense when it offers a clearly better routing. Starwood routes most Madrid relocations directly into MAD, choosing a nonstop flight whenever the airline and schedule allow, or a connection through a major European hub when that’s the safer option for your pet.
Traveling to Madrid with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Madrid?
Spain follows the European Union’s pet travel rules. Getting the steps in the right order is what lets pets enter without quarantine. For full country-level requirements, see our Spain Pet Relocation Guide.
It starts with a microchip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. The chip must be implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine won’t count for EU travel. Your pet then needs a rabies vaccination, followed by a wait of at least 21 days. Some vaccine manufacturers require 30 days. For pets vaccinated in the US, the EU treats a first rabies shot as valid for only one year, even if it’s a three-year vaccine. Pets traveling from the United States don’t need a rabies antibody blood test, and Spain doesn’t require tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the EU health certificate. A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues it, and the USDA endorses it. For Spain, the USDA must ink-sign and emboss the certificate, so the original paper document has to travel with your pet. New EU non-commercial certificates took effect October 1, 2026, and new commercial certificates took effect October 17, 2026. Under the new non-commercial certificate:
- The document is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it.
- USDA endorsement must happen within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the EU.
- Once in the EU, the certificate can be used for travel within the EU for up to six months, as long as the rabies vaccination stays valid.
Because pets must be at least 12 weeks old for the rabies vaccine and then wait at least 21 days, puppies and kittens coming from the US will be at least 15 weeks old when they arrive in Spain.
Commercial vs. non-commercial pet travel to Madrid
Your pet can travel under a non-commercial certificate if both of these apply:
- You’re on the same flight, or someone you authorize travels with your pet within five days of your own trip.
- You’re moving five or fewer pets.
A commercial certificate is required if no owner or authorized person can travel with the pet, if you’re moving six or more pets, or if the pet is changing owners. Commercial certificates require a veterinary exam within 48 hours of departure.
Here’s the reassuring part: when these steps are completed correctly and in sequence, quarantine is not required. Pets that arrive with missing or incorrect paperwork can be quarantined or refused entry at the owner’s expense. This is exactly why timing and sequencing matter, and it’s where working with a pet relocation specialist makes the most difference.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) is the right choice for nearly every Madrid relocation. It sits about 8 miles northeast of the city center and is Spain’s busiest airport for long-haul flights. Barcelona (BCN) is roughly a six-hour drive away and makes sense only for moves to Catalonia or when it offers a much better routing.
On arrival, your pet’s microchip and health certificate are checked. Pets flying as cargo must also clear customs before they can be collected. Starwood coordinates clearance through our handling partners, so your pet moves from the aircraft to your new home as quickly as possible.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Madrid, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Madrid has nonstop service from several US hubs, along with connections through major European hubs. Not every airline accepts pets as cargo, and pet policies vary by route, so Starwood confirms each carrier’s current rules before booking.
The right route depends on your departure city, travel dates, your pet’s breed and size, and seasonal temperature restrictions. Madrid’s hot summers can trigger airline heat embargoes. Snub-nosed breeds face extra airline limits. Starwood compares the options and books the safest, most direct routing available for your pet.
If you have a bully or guarding breed, check with our team early. Spain doesn’t ban any breeds, but it classifies certain dogs as potentially dangerous, including:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Tosa Inu
- Akita Inu
These dogs must be muzzled to go through security and registered within three months of arrival.
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
For pets coming from the US, the minimum timeline is about 21 to 30 days after the rabies vaccination, depending on the vaccine. We recommend starting two to three months before your move. That leaves time for vet appointments, USDA endorsement, mailing the original ink-endorsed certificate, airline bookings, and seasonal restrictions. Pets coming from countries the EU doesn’t list as low-risk need a rabies blood test and a three-month wait, so plan for at least four months.
Cost depends on your pet’s size, departure city, and routing. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Madrid?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to Spain comes with specific challenges:
- New EU health certificates
- Original ink USDA endorsement
- Airline-specific pet policies
- Spain’s rules for potentially dangerous breeds
Our team handles all of it, from vet coordination and USDA paperwork to airline booking, customs clearance, and delivery to your door.
Whether you’re moving to Madrid for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in Spain, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet’s journey to Madrid? Request a free quote.
W e ' r e D i f f e r e n t
Pets, not packages - expect more
We’re proud to be the highest rated and most trusted international pet shipping company in the United States.
Decades of experience
Trust our expert team of coordinators, with the most collective industry experience (and all the 5-star reviews to prove it!).
Learn more →
Pet Protection Plan
Coverage for every dog or cat ensuring your peace of mind throughout their journey.
Learn more →
Stay in touch
The only US-based company to partner with CareTags Travel Sense to provide automated updates throughout your pet’s move via email & text.
Learn more →
We partner with the best in the industry:
