New EU Pet Travel Rules (April 2026): What to Do With Your Dog While You Travel

On April 22, 2026, new European Union regulations come into force that tighten the requirements for travelling with dogs and cats between member states. If you've got a trip planned and were thinking of taking your dog along, there are things you need to know before you start packing.

What's Changing With the New Rules?

The EU has updated its regulations on the movement of companion animals to strengthen health controls and traceability. The key changes are:

• Individual European pet passport required — Every dog and cat must have their own European passport issued by an authorised veterinarian. A basic health certificate is no longer enough for travel between member states.
• Updated health certification — The certificate must be issued no more than 10 days before travel. Your vet must confirm the animal is healthy and fit to travel.
• Current rabies vaccination — The vaccine must be recorded in the passport at least 21 days before travel and within its validity period.
• Mandatory microchip — The animal must be identified with a microchip meeting the ISO 11784/11785 standard. No microchip, no passport.
• Stronger border controls — Authorities will carry out more frequent random checks at entry and exit points.

Important: These rules apply to travel between EU countries. Domestic travel within Spain does not require the European pet passport, although a microchip and health booklet are still mandatory.

What You Need to Travel With Your Dog

If you've decided to take your dog to another EU country, here's what you need to have ready:

1. Microchip registered and linked to your ID as the owner
2. European pet passport issued by a registered and authorised veterinarian
3. Rabies vaccination up to date, recorded in the passport (at least 21 days before travel)
4. Health certificate issued no more than 10 days before departure
5. Anti-parasitic treatment if required by the destination country (check specific requirements)

The process isn't difficult, but it takes time. You need an appointment with your vet, you need to wait for vaccination timelines, and you need to make sure all the paperwork is in order. If your trip is in the next few days, you may not make it in time.

The Alternative More Owners Are Choosing

Here's where it pays to be practical: not every trip justifies the stress of bringing your dog along. A flight, a high-speed train, a hotel charging a pet supplement, the heat of the cargo hold, the hours of waiting... Sometimes, the best thing for your dog is to stay at home with someone who'll look after them well.

And that's exactly what more and more owners in Spain are doing: instead of dealing with the European passport bureaucracy and the stress of transport, they leave their dog with a trusted borrower through Guauly.

A borrower is someone who loves dogs and wants to spend time with them. They don't charge anything. They look after your dog in their home, take them for walks, and give them individual attention and affection. While you travel with peace of mind, your dog is in a safe, home environment.

Why Leaving Your Dog With a Borrower Makes Sense

When you compare the options, the advantages are clear:

Note: On Guauly you can chat with borrowers in the app, read reviews from other owners, and arrange a trial walk before leaving your dog.

Find a Borrower Before Your Trip

If you have a trip coming up in the next few weeks, now is the time to find someone you trust for your dog. The Guauly community is active in major cities across Spain:

• Dog sitters in Madrid
• Dog sitters in Barcelona
• Dog sitters in Valencia
• Dog sitters in Seville

Browse all available borrowers and filter by your city.

The Best Decision for Your Dog

The new EU rules are about protecting animals, and that's a good thing. But they also mean more paperwork, more expense, and more planning for owners who travel. If your trip doesn't require your dog to come along, the most convenient option — and often the best one for the animal — is leaving them with someone who'll care for them as their own.

You don't need to spend money on kennels or deal with red tape. You just need someone you trust nearby.

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Find a borrower in your city and travel knowing your dog is in good hands.