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    Travelling with pets

    Your guide to traveling with your pet. Regulations, advice, best accommodation and plans to make. Take note for your next vacation.

    Planning to travel with your pets? With a bit of planning and preparation you can!

    Gone are the days when dog and cat owners would need to leave their pets at a boarding facility or have someone dog-sit them while they go on holiday for a few weeks. Nowadays, with airlines becoming pet-friendlier and the rise in therapy dogs, there are more vacation rentals which welcome animals. Hotels are mainly still behind the curve, but with a holiday rental you can bring your furry friend and enjoy a wonderful vacation in a home-away-from-home.

    We love our pets here at Vacation Marbella and we’re proud of our selection of pet-friendly holiday rentals in Marbella. But we know that there are certain rules and regulations that you also need to comply with to bring your pets over, so in this article, we’re sharing all the information that you need to bring your pet to Marbella with you for your next vacation.

    General tips for traveling with pets

    1. Start your planning a little earlier if you’re traveling with animals as there are certain things they need, that can take some time to get in place.
    2. Inform yourself about the rules of travel and check you have everything you need in good time. Make sure your pet has all the necessary paperwork and is up to date with their vaccinations. Airlines will not allow you to bring your dog or cat with you if they are not registered and their rabies shots are not current. Once you reach your destination, most places and rental accommodation will also check these to make sure that your pet is fully protected.
    3. Think about your travel options – many of our holiday rental guests choose to drive and take a ferry, rather than fly, to make it easier and less stressful for their animals. Driving from the UK and many parts of Europe is easy to do, and it also gives you the opportunity to see some other parts of Spain on your way. Ireland has some great new ferry routes too, which many pet lovers are taking advantage of.
    4. Find pet-friendly accommodation which welcomes your four-legged friends and has outside space where they can enjoy the holiday too.

    European and Spanish regulations for traveling with pets

    If you are traveling within the EU with your pets you need to make sure you understand the rules and regulations and comply with them. A pet is defined as 5 or less animals travelling with their owner or travelling with a responsible party, within 5 days of the owner making the journey.

    Your pet (dog, cat or ferret) must –

    • Be microchipped
    • Have a valid rabies vaccination
    • Have an EU pet passport

    For the full rules, including those for other types of pets, you can read the official requirements on the Spanish government website.

    If you’re travelling from a non-EU country, you must present yourself to an official Traveller’s Point of Entry (TPE) and declare to the police that you are travelling with a pet and present the pet’s documentation. This could be an animal health certificate or a written declaration stating that its transfer is not due to commercial reasons. They must also have a copy of its vaccination records, and have a valid rabies vaccination, as well as be microchipped. There’s an excellent article from Age in Spain, with more information about this, which we recommend you consult, for more information. 

    Airlines rules for traveling with pets

    Airlines differ in their policy for carrying pets, but require prior notice and often incurs an additional cost. AENA, the company which runs Spanish airports, has some great information on travelling with animals and warns, “A failure to comply with the regulations endangers both you and your pet, and it may mean your pet cannot re-enter the EU, or that it may have to be quarantined or even put down.”

    The airline Iberia allows pets to travel with you in the cabin and in the hold, but they limit the numbers of pets per flight, so you need to contact the booking office to guarantee that they can travel with you. Dogs, cats, fish, tortoises and birds which are 8kg or less, including the carrier, can be in the cabin with you, as long as the container fits their size restrictions and parameters. It’s important to note that Iberia is not authorized to transport animals to the UK. Find out more

    Vueling has similar requirements to Iberia on pets traveling in the cabin, but does not allow any animals in cargo. They allow dogs, cats, birds and turtles and tortoises to travel in the cabin with owners as long as the carrier is of the approved dimensions and the animal plus carrier is no heavier than 8kg.

    EasyJet and Ryanair do not allow animals on their flights, except registered guide and assistance dogs.

    Before choosing an airline, check their policy for traveling with animals.

    Best types of accommodation for traveling with pets

    Holiday rentals are definitely better for travelling with pets than hotels, that’s because you and your furry friends will have the space that you’re used to at home and unlike most hotels, there are more and more holiday rentals which now allow pets.

    We’d recommend looking for a property with private, enclosed outside space, such as a ground floor apartment with private garden, or a villa with garden. This gives your pet more freedom and they are less likely to disturb the neighbors.

    A location within easy reach of the seafront promenade, dog parks or a dog beach is also great for walk and play time.

    Many of the holiday rentals that allow pets, are pet owners themselves, so will have everything you need and designated space for the animal to sleep, eat etc.

    We’d recommend browsing our list of pet-friendly holiday rentals in Marbella to see what the options are.

    Tips when looking for holiday rentals with your pets

    When you bring your pet on holiday, you have to be aware of special rules each pet-friendly holiday rental in Marbella has.

    If you allow your pets to sit or sleep on any furniture or beds, make sure they are fully covered with blankets or towels.

    If the pet-friendly holiday rental or hotel has a “No pets on the furniture” policy, please respect it and observe it.

    If you must leave your pet alone, make sure it is just for a short period of time. It’s also a good idea to notify the property management if your pet is alone in the holiday rental. When they are in a strange place, even the best-behaved pets can create noise and act destructively.

    There are some accommodations that also require upfront payment or even a per-day fee for your pet. So, check before you book and bear in mind that allowing pets incurs extra costs for the owner, as they must deep-clean the property to avoid the next guest from having allergic reactions.

    Is Marbella pet-friendly?

    It is! There are a lot of animal lovers in Marbella and you’ll certainly see a lot of dogs around. We’ve seen an increase in dog parks and bars and cafés catering to dogs and their owners which is wonderful. There are also dedicated section of the beaches allowing dogs in the summer months, so your dog can enjoy splashing in the waves However, there are some restrictions to bear in mind.

    Most Marbella restaurants do not allow dogs inside restaurants, so outdoor cafes and restaurants with terraces are the best options. These are everywhere, so you won’t find a shortage of choice.

    In the summer season, dogs are also not allowed on the majority of the beaches. However, there are some designated beaches, so look out for them during your stay. Outside of the peak season, dogs are welcome back on the beaches, which is a better time for sensitive paws to be on the sand anyway, so a spring or autumn break will probably suit you all better.

    There are particular dog parks popping up all over and many parks are very happy to welcome your fur babies to have fun alongside you. Of course, while on vacation, it is still a good idea to find time to exercise your pet, so just as a precaution bring along a muzzle, collar & leash, and poop bags whenever you go out with them.

    Best pet-friendly holiday rentals in Marbella

    • Villas with mature private garden to provide your pets with places to explore and shady spots to relax
    • Large ground floor apartments with private gardens and sufficient space inside and out for your pet
    • A holiday rental near a dog beach – here’s a list of eight dog beaches on the Costa del Sol
    • A location within easy reach of good dog walks in the countryside, or large parks where you can all explore

    Best things to do in Marbella with your pets

    • Explore the countryside – Many people don’t know that there are some wonderful walks and beautiful countryside, within easy reach of Marbella. Just behind the town is the iconic La Concha and amazing walks and hikes. There’s also a hiking trail in Nagueles and Benahavis that we’d really recommend.
    • Find a dog park – There are more and more of these dedicated dog parks popping up, where you can relax and let your dog play with other animals, and probably find other dog owners to chat to as well. Parque Los Tres Jardines in the San Pedro polígono has a 4,500 square meter dog park. There’s another dog park in Nagueles, opposite Swans secondary school to try. Head into the Nagueles park and follow the signs.
    • Stroll along the paseo and stop off for drinks and food along the way – The long seafront promenade is the perfect place for walk time, because it’s flat and easy, with beautiful sea views, plus lots of bars, cafes and restaurants along the way. These all have outside tables, so there’s no problem to bring your pet and rest weary feet and paws.
    • Head to the beach – As we mentioned, you need to check whether dogs are allowed in the peak summer season and choose a designated dog beach. However, off season, you can take your pick and enjoy the nearest beach to your holiday rental. Dogs have such a great time swimming, running, catching sticks and playing in the sand. Not to be missed!

    We hope this article has made travelling with pets easier. Check out our pet-friendly holiday rentals in Marbella on our website, or contact us to find out more and get our recommendations.

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