For a significant number of people looking at property in Ibiza, the conversation about moving does not start with square footage or sea views. It starts with a much more pressing question. What about the dog?
It is entirely the right question to ask. Pets are part of the family, and any serious relocation plan has to account for them from the beginning. The good news is that bringing animals to Ibiza is perfectly manageable with the right preparation. The rules are clear, the island is genuinely welcoming to animals, and the life that waits on the other side of the paperwork is, frankly, excellent.
Here is everything UK owners need to know.
What changed after Brexit
Before 2021, UK pet owners travelling to Spain used an EU Pet Passport – a straightforward document that made crossing borders with a pet relatively simple. Brexit changed that. Since January 2021, UK residents are no longer eligible for EU Pet Passports, and the rules for bringing animals into Spain have shifted to match those that apply to other non-EU countries.
The important thing to understand is that the change added paperwork, not barriers. Your pet can absolutely come to Ibiza with you. You just need to approach it in the right order and with enough time.
The essential requirements
For dogs, cats, and ferrets travelling from the UK to Spain, three things are non-negotiable.
The first is a microchip. Your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination is given. This ordering matters. If the vaccination comes first, it will not be considered valid for travel purposes and you will have to start again. Most UK pets already have a microchip, but it is worth confirming with your vet that it meets the ISO standard and that the number is readable.
The second is a rabies vaccination. Rabies is not a disease present in the UK, which means most pets here have never been vaccinated against it. Your vet can administer the vaccine, but you must then wait 21 days before your pet is eligible to travel. Book this well in advance – the 21-day period is a hard requirement and cannot be shortened. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old before receiving the vaccine.
The third is an Animal Health Certificate, known as an AHC. This replaces the EU Pet Passport for UK residents and must be issued by an Official Veterinarian within ten days of your departure date. Not all vets are authorised to issue AHCs, so you will need to check that your practice is registered or find one that is. Once issued, the certificate is valid for travel within the EU for up to four months, or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.
A practical note: if you plan to return to the UK with your pet and then bring them back to Ibiza again, you will need a new AHC each time. The certificate is not reusable across separate trips.
How to get to Ibiza with your pet
Ibiza is an island, which means flying is by far the most practical route for most buyers. The rules vary by airline and are worth confirming directly before booking, but in general, small dogs and cats travelling in an approved carrier may fly in the cabin, while larger dogs typically travel in the hold in an IATA-approved crate. Check weight limits and crate dimensions early, as policies differ and popular routes fill quickly in summer.
Driving to Ibiza is possible via ferry from mainland Spain, with the crossing taking around two to three hours from Valencia or Barcelona. This is a comfortable option for larger dogs or multiple animals and avoids the stress of air travel entirely. Most ferry operators have specific pet arrangements, so book ahead and confirm the requirements at the time of booking.
Whichever route you take, your documentation will be checked at the point of entry. Border officials may scan your pet’s microchip and verify it against the AHC. Have everything printed and organised – digital copies are fine as backup, but physical documents are more reliable at the border.
What to do when you arrive
Once you are in Ibiza, a few steps are required to keep your pet’s documentation in order.
You should register your pet with your local town hall, typically as part of the broader empadronamiento process when you register your own address. Spain also has a national animal register and some municipalities maintain their own. Your local vet on the island will be able to advise on the specific requirements for Sant Josep or whichever municipality you are based in.
Finding a vet in Ibiza is straightforward. The island has several well-regarded practices, with vets who speak English and are experienced in dealing with international residents. It is worth registering with a local vet early, both to keep vaccinations current and to establish a relationship before you need one in an emergency.
Pet insurance is worth considering before you leave the UK, as some policies do not extend to cover animals once you become a permanent resident abroad. Check your existing policy carefully and take out appropriate cover in Spain if needed.
Life with pets in Ibiza
Here is where the story gets considerably more enjoyable.
Ibiza is a genuinely good place to be an animal. The island has space, outdoor lifestyle, year-round mild weather, and a culture that accepts dogs in a way that feels natural rather than reluctant. Local restaurants and bars across the island are largely dog-friendly, particularly outside the peak summer months. Village squares, rural tracks, and quiet beaches in the off-season provide the kind of walking and outdoor time that urban pet owners can only dream about.
The island’s beaches have restrictions on dogs during peak summer season, broadly June to September, but outside those months many beaches are accessible, and the quiet coves and pine-track walks available year-round more than compensate.
Yvonne Anderson, who has run Everything Ibiza Properties on the island since 1999 and has helped hundreds of buyers settle into island life, notes that long-term clients regularly get back in touch years after their purchase – often to ask where to find a good vet for a dog they have flown over from London. It is, in its own way, one of the clearer signs that people have genuinely made the island home.
The timeline to follow
If you are planning a move to Ibiza with pets, start the process at least eight to ten weeks before your intended travel date. That allows time to confirm microchip compliance, book and complete the rabies vaccination, observe the 21-day waiting period, find an authorised Official Veterinarian, have the AHC issued within the ten-day window before departure, and book pet-friendly transport.
It sounds like a lot. In practice, once you have spoken to your vet and confirmed the paperwork, it is a manageable process that runs alongside everything else involved in a move. The key is not leaving it until the week before.
A note on the rules
Pet travel requirements are subject to change. The information in this article reflects the position as of June 2026 and applies to UK residents travelling with dogs, cats, and ferrets. Different rules apply for other animals, and regulations can vary. We strongly recommend confirming the current requirements with your vet and checking the latest guidance from the UK government before you travel.
Everything Ibiza Properties has been helping buyers, and their animals, settle into island life since 1999. If you have questions about the move, we are here year-round.
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