Traveling abroad with your dog or cat can be an unforgettable experience. But before you pack your bags, there is one thing you can’t overlook: veterinary documentation. Each country has its own health regulations, and failure to comply with them can have major consequences, such as the animal being refused entry or even a mandatory quarantine.

So, if you are planning a trip with your canine or feline companion, it is essential that you organize the paperwork in advance and count on the help of a specialized veterinary team. At Balmesvet, we will accompany you every step of the way to make sure everything is in order.

Who manages veterinary certificates in Barcelona?

1. Board-certified clinical veterinarians

We are in charge of checking the animal’s health, microchipping it if it does not have one, administering the necessary vaccinations and issuing health certificates or passports. In Balmesvet we have extensive experience in domestic and international travel with pets.

2. DACC Regional Offices (Generalitat de Catalunya)

When traveling outside the European Union, some countries require the veterinary certificate to be officially validated. In Catalonia, this function is performed by the Departament d’Acció Climàtica (DACC), which reviews, signs and stamps the health certificate through its network of county offices.

3. MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food)

At the state level, this ministry regulates the regulations on the export of pets. It has an online platform, CEXGAN, where the certificates required for many countries outside the EU are processed. Although veterinarians do not directly access CEXGAN, they collaborate in the preparation of the certificates that are then officially validated.

What steps to take when traveling with your pet

1. Find out about the requirements of the country of destination.

Each destination has different rules. Some only require a passport and rabies vaccination, but others require specific certificates, specific deworming or even a rabies test. The first thing is:

• Check with the embassy or consulate of the country.
• Check the regulations on the MAPA website (CEXGAN).
• Go to an experienced veterinarian, such as the Balmesvet team.

2. ID and microchipping

The microchip is mandatory for all trips. It must be correctly registered and readable. If your pet does not have a microchip, we can do it in our office in minutes.

3. Rabies vaccination

• This is mandatory in most destinations.
• In case of first vaccination, at least 21 days must have passed before the trip. Some countries require more (28-30 days).
• Boosters must be up to date according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
• Vaccination must be recorded in the passport or certificate.

4. Passport or international health certificate

• Travel within the EU: the European passport issued by the veterinarian is sufficient.
• Travel outside the EU: an international health certificate is required, which must be validated by the DACC. This document is adapted to the requirements of the country of destination and must be processed by CEXGAN.

5. Rabies blood test (antibody assay)

Some countries require this test to demonstrate that the rabies vaccine has generated sufficient immunity:

• This is performed by a blood test in an EU-approved laboratory.
• The result must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml.
• If it is the first vaccination dose, one must wait 30 days after administering the rabies vaccine before serology is done.
• Many countries require the test to have been done 3 months prior to the trip.
• If properly boosted every year, the result may be kept valid indefinitely.

6. Obligatory deworming

Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland or Malta, require deworming against Echinococcus multilocularis (tapeworm) between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival.

7. Certificate validation (outside the EU only)

The veterinarian completes the certificate and submits it through the CEXGAN platform. Then, the guardian must go to a DACC office to officially validate it. This validation must be done within 10 days prior to the trip.

8. Returning to Spain

If your trip was to a country with a rabies risk:

• You must have previously done the blood test.
• If it was not done, you must wait 3 months in that country before doing it and being able to return.
• The return must be done through an Authorized Point of Entry (PEAC), such as the Barcelona airport.

Checklist before traveling with your cat or dog

Documentation and health requirements

• Microchip properly implanted and registered
• Up-to-date rabies vaccination
  • Applied at least 21 days prior to travel (in case of first vaccination)
  • Within the validity period (in case of booster vaccination)
• European passport (if traveling within the EU)
• International veterinary certificate issued by a registered veterinarian (if traveling outside the EU)
• Certificate validated by the health authority (DACC) within 10 days prior to travel (if applicable)
• Rabies blood test performed and result ≥ 0.5 IU/ml (if required by the country of destination)
• Deworming for Echinococcus multilocularis (if required by the country of destination)

Travel arrangements with your dog and cat

• Verification of the specific requirements of the country of destination (additional vaccinations, entry rules, quarantine, etc.)
• Translation of documents if required by the country
• Appropriate transportation (approved carrier, leash, harness, identification tag)
• Digital and physical copy of all documentation
• Contact of a local veterinarian in the country of destination (for prevention)

For your return to Spain (if you are traveling to countries with a rabies risk)

• Rabies screening done prior to travel
  • If not done, stay 3 months in the country prior to traveling
• Health certificate issued by official veterinarian of country of origin
• Entry through an Authorized Point of Entry (PEAC), such as the Barcelona airport

Why go with Balmesvet?

In our veterinary hospital in the center of Barcelona, we have a team with experience in documentation for international travel. In addition, we are a Fear Free and Cat Friendly Gold center, so we take care not only of your pet’s health, but also of his or her emotional well-being.

We help you to:

• Obtain all necessary documentation.
• Comply with the deadlines and requirements of the country.
• Settle any doubts based on your destination.
• Prepare your return without hassles.

Traveling with your dog or cat can be a beautiful experience if you get ready in time. In Balmesvet we will help you step by step so that everything goes as planned.

Balmesvet – Veterinary Hospital of Reference

Calle Balmes 205, Barcelona
931 173 173
atencioclient@balmesvet.com
More information in our blog