With a cage in your hand and food for your dog in the suitcase, you've decided that this time you won't travel alone to Barcelona, but rather with your pets.
The people that decide to travel with a pet (dogs, cats, birds, anything) cannot improvise on their trip. Between the transportation to the destination, health and safety, vaccinations, shelter or access to certain places, the holiday can end up becoming a nightmare.
But don't worry, this article will help you find all of the information you need about travelling with your faithful four-pawed friends : )
Spanish Laws
To begin with, it's important to know that to be able to enter any European country, your pet must be over 3 months old and must have a European passport and a Rabies Vaccination Certificate (which will have to have been done between 21 days and a year before the trip), as well as a microchip (ID tattoos are no longer recognised as of July 2011).
More specific and important for travelling to Spain with your pet, is that they must be vaccinated against rabies and that all vaccinations must be up to date.
Transport, getting to Barcelona
If you arrive in Barcelona by Train, it is important to know that the Spanish train system (RENFE) allow pets on board trains, but only those that weigh less than 10kg and they must be in a cage sized at a maximum of 60 x 35 x 35cm. It is possible to have only one animal per passenger.
For travelling by plane, your pet will travel in the cabin, but the regulations vary according to the weight of your pet and the rules of each airline. Some companies do not permit pets at all.
In Barcelona
The public transport in Barcelona has very strict rules about the transportation of animals. On the metro, on buses, and on trams, the only permitted animals are services dogs and pets transported in a firm cage that completely hides the animal. It is likely that you will see people in the metro carrying small dogs in their arms, but if a guard sees this they have to authority to deny access or ask the person to leave (and it happens often!).
So remember: if you travel with a dog or cat, use a firm cage. Otherwise you may end up having to walk instead.Accommodation
Much of the accommodation available does not accept animals, especially hotels. However, some apartments do accept pets. An example of an apartment that accepts pets: Apartment in Barcelona that allows animals.
Once everything is ready, you can leave with your dog, cat, rabbit or rat! And one last thing; take into account that on some beaches in Barcelona animals are not allowed.
If you are visiting from another country, the legislation of the country you are travelling from will have its own requirements too (for example the United Kingdom), so if you have any questions, leave a comment and I will try to answer them.