Gibraltar – Importing a Pet

Does Gibraltar allow pets to be imported, and are there restrictions on which animals are permitted?

Pet animals may be brought into Gibraltar for non-commercial purposes provided that certain conditions are satisfied. The territory’s definition of a pet animal covers dogs, cats, ferrets, rodents, domestic rabbits, amphibia, reptiles, all bird species with the exception of poultry, ornamental tropical fish, and invertebrates (excluding bees and crustaceans). This is a reasonably broad category that gives most familiar household pets a clear pathway into the territory.

The importation of any animal falling outside this definition requires a licence, and the Environmental Agency must be contacted in advance. Animals such as primates and snakes lie beyond the scope of the standard pet import framework, and Gibraltar government guidance makes clear that the import of certain types of animals is prohibited outright — including all snakes and venomous reptiles.

Animals listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) remain subject to the obligations of that treaty. If you are travelling with an exotic or unusual species, CITES documentation must be obtained in addition to the standard import paperwork — any animal lacking the correct CITES documentation will be confiscated at the border.

Dog owners face an extra layer of restrictions under Gibraltar’s dangerous dog legislation. No dangerous dog may be brought into Gibraltar. These rules were originally introduced through the Dangerous Dogs Act and were later absorbed into the Crimes Act under Part 25. Certain breeds and their crosses are banned from importation into the territory. The breeds classified as dangerous under Gibraltar’s Crimes Act reflect those prohibited in similar legislation elsewhere in the world, and owners of breeds such as the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro — all of which are restricted across multiple jurisdictions globally — must verify with the Gibraltar Environmental Agency whether their dog falls within a prohibited type before making any travel plans.

Any person who imports a dangerous dog commits a criminal offence, as does anyone who sells, purchases, or otherwise deals in such an animal. Conviction on summary conviction carries the statutory maximum fine, and the court must order the destruction of the dog upon conviction. Given the severity of these penalties, owners with any uncertainty about their dog’s status should contact the Gibraltar Environmental Agency directly before travelling.

Wolf hybrids, Savannah cats, and Bengal cats — unless they are at least five generations removed from the wild ancestor in their pedigree — cannot be imported under Gibraltar’s standard regulations. Owners of these animals should seek specific advice from the Environmental Agency before making any arrangements.

What vaccinations and health requirements do pets need before entering Gibraltar?

Gibraltar’s health requirements for dogs and cats are built primarily around rabies prevention. Animals must be identifiable by microchip and must be vaccinated against rabies after the microchip has been implanted — even if an existing rabies vaccination is still current — and this vaccination must be administered no fewer than 21 days before the animal enters Gibraltar. The sequence is essential: the microchip must precede the vaccination, and the 21-day countdown begins only once both the chip has been inserted and the vaccination has been given.

For dogs in particular, recommended vaccinations include rabies, distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus. Although distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus vaccinations may not be formally enforced at the border in the same manner as the rabies requirement, they are standard components of a travel health certificate and any competent vet preparing your pet’s documentation will include them. Making sure your pet is current on all vaccinations before departure is essential, and a vaccination certificate from your vet should be presented to Gibraltar authorities on arrival.

Animals must be over three months old to enter the territory, and the rabies vaccination must have been given at least 21 days before arrival. Separate arrangements exist for the movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets younger than three months into Gibraltar; owners in this situation should contact the Environmental Agency for guidance.

Pets arriving from countries not appearing on Gibraltar’s approved country list are subject to additional conditions. Such animals must be accompanied by either a Pet Passport issued by a competent authority in the country of origin, or a health certificate confirming that the animal holds a valid rabies vaccination and has undergone a blood test demonstrating a neutralising rabies antibody titration. This blood test — sometimes referred to as an RNATT or rabies titre test — confirms that the vaccine has produced an adequate immune response. Unlike Australia’s strict biosecurity framework, where titre testing and extended waiting periods apply to nearly all incoming animals, Gibraltar reserves this requirement for pets originating in countries classified as higher-risk for rabies. Consult the Gibraltar Environmental Agency’s country classification list to establish which rules apply to your pet’s country of origin.

For dogs travelling from the UK as of 2025, the conditions include microchipping, rabies vaccination, a pet passport or animal health certificate, and tapeworm treatment. The tapeworm treatment — typically an Echinococcus treatment administered between 24 and 120 hours before arrival — is a condition of entry from Great Britain and reflects Gibraltar’s alignment with EU animal health standards. Verify the current tapeworm treatment requirements with your vet or the Environmental Agency before travelling, as these may be subject to change.

At present there are no specific health requirements for the importation of other companion animals such as rodents, rabbits, and ornamental fish, although they must be declared at the border on arrival.

What is the application process for importing a pet into Gibraltar, and what paperwork is required?

Every step of the preparation required to bring a pet into Gibraltar must be completed in the country you are departing from. Beginning the process well ahead of your planned move — ideally several months in advance — is strongly recommended.

1. Get your pet microchipped. The first step in importing a dog, cat, or ferret to Gibraltar is to have your animal fitted with a non-encrypted, 15-digit microchip that complies with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. The chip should be implanted by a licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a qualified veterinary nurse. If your pet already has a chip, confirm that it meets the ISO standard before proceeding — if it does not, you may bring your own compatible scanner to ensure border staff can read the chip.
2. Administer the rabies vaccination. Once the microchip is in position, an accredited vet must administer the rabies vaccination. Animals must receive this vaccination after microchipping — even if the existing vaccination is still in date — and must travel with either a Pet Passport or a health certificate issued by a veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority. This document must certify that a valid anti-rabies vaccination was administered using an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigenic unit per dose in accordance with the WHO standard. Your travel date must be at least 21 days after this vaccination.
3. Obtain a Pet Passport or Health Certificate. Your pet’s travel document must contain proof of microchip implantation, a current rabies vaccination, a rabies titre test result where required, and an EU-style health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of departure. For pets travelling from the UK following Brexit, a Health Certificate detailing the animal’s current vaccinations will suffice. This certificate must be issued by a government-authorised vet and is generally valid for a limited period, making timing critical.
4. Apply for an import permit if required. An import permit issued by Gibraltar’s Environmental Agency may be necessary. To obtain one, you will need to supply a copy of your pet’s health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate, a copy of your passport or other recognised identification document, and payment of the applicable fees. Check the official website for the current fee schedule, as charges may be updated.
5. Submit your application. To begin the application process, contact the Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic or the Environmental Agency directly. Once the required documents have been submitted and fees paid, processing of the import permit may take up to five business days (as of 2023). The permit is valid for one month from the date of issue, so coordinate your travel dates accordingly.
6. Travel with your pet within the permitted window. All pets must enter Gibraltar with their owner, or within five days of the owner’s arrival. Proof of travel will be required, and the non-commercial limit of five pets applies unless evidence of participation in a competition or show is presented.
7. Declare your pet at the border. On arrival, present all relevant documentation — passport or health certificate, vaccination records, microchip details, and import permit — to border authorities. Rabies is a fatal disease: do not attempt to bring an animal into Gibraltar without the correct paperwork. If there is any uncertainty about what is required, proceed directly to the customs inquiry point.

Does Gibraltar require pets to undergo quarantine on arrival?

Provided that the pet import requirements described above are fully satisfied, no quarantine will be imposed on your animal when it enters Gibraltar. This places Gibraltar in a considerably more advantageous position than destinations such as Australia or New Zealand, where mandatory quarantine of ten days or longer applies to virtually all incoming animals regardless of vaccination history. For most well-prepared pet owners relocating to Gibraltar, the absence of a quarantine requirement is one of the most tangible practical benefits of the territory’s approach.

There is no compulsory quarantine period for pets entering Gibraltar. Nevertheless, if an animal shows signs of illness upon arrival, it may be placed in quarantine or subjected to other measures aimed at protecting public health. Ensure your pet has been examined by your vet as close to your travel date as possible and has received a clean bill of health before departure.

Should your pet fail to comply with the applicable regulations on arrival, it will face one of three outcomes: quarantine, if appropriate facilities are available; return to the country of origin; or euthanasia. The cost of any of these outcomes falls entirely on the importer. These are serious consequences that highlight why every step of the preparation process must be completed correctly before you travel. There is no lenient holding period to allow documentation errors to be rectified at the Gibraltar border — unlike certain other jurisdictions that permit minor corrections to be made within a brief grace window.

Is Gibraltar part of any international pet travel scheme?

Although Gibraltar is not an EU Member State, it has adopted European Union regulations governing the import of pets. In practical terms, this means Gibraltar operates very closely in line with the EU Pet Travel Scheme — the framework under which dogs, cats, and ferrets can move between EU member states using a standardised EU Pet Passport, provided they are microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and in good health.

Gibraltar is not a formal participant in the EU Pet Travel Scheme, but it does recognise EU Pet Passports for animals entering the territory. For owners travelling from EU member states with a valid EU Pet Passport, the process is therefore relatively uncomplicated, as the passport will already contain all the documentation Gibraltar’s border authorities need. Relocating to Gibraltar with pets can be straightforward if moving from the majority of EU countries.

The post-Brexit environment introduces some additional complexity for pets travelling from Great Britain — that is, England, Scotland, and Wales. Existing EU-format pet passports needed to be replaced with a non-EU version following Gibraltar’s departure from the European Union in January 2021. The Government, through the Ministry of the Environment, put arrangements in place for veterinarians in Gibraltar to begin issuing the new-format Pet Passport. The revised document is identical in all respects to the previous version except that it no longer carries the EU flag or the words “European Union” on its cover.

A Technical Notice issued by the Government confirmed that there should be no change in law to the checks applied to pet animals crossing the border. This means pets remain able to cross into Spain with the appropriate identification documents in place — a point of particular relevance for expats who plan to travel regularly between Gibraltar and mainland Spain with their animals. The key is ensuring that all documentation is current and complete at the time of crossing.

The new Gibraltar Pet Passport is issued free of charge for those renewing an existing passport, or at a fee of £20 for new passports (as of 2020 — verify the current fee with the Environmental Agency). For pets arriving from countries outside the EU that do not appear on Gibraltar’s approved list, a health certificate conforming to the EU Commission Regulation 577/2013 model must be obtained in the country of origin. Relocating to Gibraltar from the UK, Ireland, or countries outside the EU such as the United States or Australia tends to be more involved, primarily because a health certificate rather than an EU Pet Passport is required, and this necessitates additional veterinary and government-authorisation steps.

Do pet owners need to register or licence their pet after arriving in Gibraltar?

There are no territory-wide licensing requirements specifically for pets in Gibraltar. Nonetheless, pet owners are expected to keep their animals under proper control and to ensure they do not cause harm or nuisance to other people. This general duty reflects Gibraltar’s compact geography and its comparatively high population density, which necessitate responsible ownership even in the absence of a formal licensing regime.

Individual residential areas may have their own local rules regarding pets, so it is worth checking with relevant authorities before settling your animal into a new neighbourhood. If you are moving into a leasehold property — which is common in Gibraltar — review your lease agreement carefully for any provisions restricting pet ownership, as landlords and management companies sometimes impose their own conditions.

Owners of dogs that have been granted an exemption under Gibraltar’s dangerous dog provisions are subject to more formal ongoing obligations. Where a certificate of exemption is issued, the dog must be neutered; it must have a microchip implanted and registered under the Animals and Birds Rules 2004; the owner must hold a valid insurance policy covering damage or injury caused by the dog to a third party; the certificate must be carried at all times by the person in control of the dog when it is in a public place; no person under eighteen years of age may have control of the dog in a public place; and the dog must be muzzled and kept on a lead whenever it is in a public space.

Even for pets that do not fall under these provisions, keeping your dog’s microchip registration and vaccination records up to date is strongly advisable once you have settled in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic, situated near Rosia Bay, is the main point of contact for ongoing veterinary care and for maintaining current documentation — particularly if you intend to cross the border into Spain regularly with your pet.

Are there any additional rules or costs expats should be aware of when bringing a pet to Gibraltar?

Airline and carrier requirements are an important practical consideration that can catch unprepared owners off guard. Most major airlines have their own policies on whether pets may travel in the cabin or must be transported as manifest cargo in the hold, and some carriers do not accept pets at all. IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards govern the dimensions and construction of approved travel crates for cargo transport, and non-compliant crates will be refused at check-in. Always confirm your chosen airline’s specific pet policy well in advance and reserve your pet’s place on the flight as early as possible, since both cabin and cargo spaces are limited.

The principal overland entry point for pets arriving in Gibraltar is the border crossing with Spain at La Línea de la Concepción. Pets arriving by sea via the marina must also be declared to customs. When booking a berth, customs services may request a pre-arrival notice and vessel register declaration, one element of which relates to any animals on board. This requirement is relevant to those arriving by private vessel and should be factored into pre-arrival planning.

All pets must enter Gibraltar with their owner or within five days of the owner’s arrival, and no more than five animals may be transported for non-commercial purposes unless evidence of participation in a competition or show is provided. If you are relocating with more than five pets, your movement will be classified as commercial, which activates a separate and considerably more demanding set of import conditions involving registered importers and exporters.

There are also some practical day-to-day rules that life in Gibraltar will make apparent. There are very few areas in the territory where dogs are permitted off the lead, and dogs are prohibited from the beaches during the summer months. Finding transport for dogs can also prove challenging, as animals are not permitted on public buses and the majority of taxis will not accommodate them. Given Gibraltar’s very small area, most journeys are manageable on foot.

Pet supplies are in limited availability locally and importing them can be costly, so bringing adequate stocks with you when you first arrive is advisable. For ongoing purchases of items such as dog food, shopping across the border in La Línea de la Concepción in Spain is often more economical than sourcing supplies within Gibraltar itself.

Check the official Gibraltar Environmental Agency website for the latest import inspection fees, as these are subject to change. Some owners find it worthwhile to engage a professional pet relocation service for the more complicated aspects of the documentation process, particularly when travelling from outside the EU where health certificates and titre test requirements add significant complexity.

Where can expats find official information about importing a pet into Gibraltar?

The principal official source for pet import information in Gibraltar is the Gibraltar Environmental Agency, which serves as the competent authority responsible for animal health and the movement of live animals into the territory. The importation of any animal not meeting the definition of a standard pet requires a licence, and the Environmental Agency must be consulted before any arrangements are made. The agency’s website — environmental-agency.gi — contains country classification lists and the full text of the regulations governing pet imports, including the approved country list that determines whether your pet needs a straightforward Pet Passport or a full health certificate supported by a titre test result.

For dangerous dog legislation and breed restrictions, Gibraltar’s official consolidated legislation is published at cab.gi, which provides the complete text of the relevant sections of the Crimes Act. This is the authoritative reference for understanding which breeds are prohibited and what the exemption process entails.

HM Customs Gibraltar is responsible for border declarations and can provide guidance on the customs declaration process when entering Gibraltar with a pet. Their information is available at gibraltar.gov.gi. If there is any uncertainty about what is needed on arrival, go directly to the customs inquiry point.

The Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic, located near Rosia Bay, is the government-affiliated veterinary practice authorised to issue official health certificates and Gibraltar-format Pet Passports. If documentation needs to be arranged on arrival, or if you require outgoing health certificates when leaving Gibraltar for another destination, this is the appropriate place to seek assistance.

Regulations in this field do change — especially in the post-Brexit environment — so always confirm the current requirements directly with the Environmental Agency before making any travel plans. Do not rely solely on third-party websites, expat forums, or articles that may be out of date. A brief phone call or email to the agency at the outset of your planning could save considerable time and prevent significant difficulties further down the line.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if my pet arrives in Gibraltar without the correct paperwork?

A pet that does not comply with the applicable regulations on arrival will face one of three outcomes: quarantine if suitable facilities exist, return to the country of origin, or euthanasia. All associated costs are borne by the importer. There is no grace period or temporary holding arrangement to allow documentation errors to be resolved, which is why it is absolutely essential that all paperwork is accurate and current before travel commences.

How long does the full pet import process take from start to finish?

The minimum duration is determined by the mandatory 21-day gap between the rabies vaccination and the date of entry. If a rabies titre test is also required — as it is for pets originating in countries not on Gibraltar’s approved list — the overall timeline extends further, as there is an additional waiting period of at least 30 days after the titre test confirms an adequate antibody level. Once veterinary appointments, document preparation, and import permit processing are factored in, most owners should plan for a minimum of six to eight weeks, and longer when travelling from a higher-risk country. Processing of the import permit itself may take up to five business days after submission (as of 2023).

Do the rules differ for cats versus dogs?

The core conditions — ISO-compliant microchipping, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and a valid Pet Passport or health certificate — apply equally to dogs, cats, and ferrets. Dogs, however, face additional requirements, including tapeworm treatment for those travelling from Great Britain and breed restrictions under the dangerous dog provisions. Cats are not subject to breed bans or tapeworm treatment obligations in the same way. There are currently no specific health requirements for the importation of other companion animals such as rabbits or rodents, though all such animals must be declared at the border.

Can I bring a rescue animal to Gibraltar?

Yes, rescued animals can be brought into Gibraltar, but they must satisfy exactly the same conditions as any other pet — ISO-compliant microchipping, rabies vaccination, valid health documentation, and the relevant country-of-origin checks. If the animal comes from a country on Gibraltar’s approved list and already holds a valid EU Pet Passport, the process is relatively manageable. If it originates from a higher-risk country, a titre test will be required along with a potentially longer waiting period before travel is permitted. Owners of rescued animals from outside the EU should begin planning well in advance and make early contact with the Gibraltar Environmental Agency.

Can I bring my pet into Spain from Gibraltar after I arrive?

Pets are able to cross the border from Gibraltar into Spain provided they carry the appropriate identification documents. They remain subject to standard checks, including verification of microchip implantation, anti-rabies vaccination, and compliance with any applicable health measures adopted by the European Commission. A valid Gibraltar Pet Passport or an EU-compatible health certificate is the essential document for cross-border travel between Gibraltar and Spain.

Is there a limit on the number of pets I can bring to Gibraltar?

The non-commercial import limit is five pets. All animals must enter Gibraltar with their owner or within five days of the owner’s arrival, and the five-pet cap applies unless evidence of participation in a competition or show is available. Moving more than five animals triggers commercial import regulations, which involve a registered importer and a distinct documentation and approval process.

Do I need to do anything before travelling to Gibraltar with a pet that is already resident there?

Animals re-entering Gibraltar must be accompanied by a Pet Passport issued by a veterinarian authorised by the Competent Authority. This document must certify a valid anti-rabies vaccination administered using an inactivated vaccine of at least one antigenic unit per dose in accordance with the WHO standard. If you have temporarily left Gibraltar with your pet — for example, to visit mainland Spain — ensure that your pet’s passport and vaccination records remain current before returning across the border.

Where can I get a Gibraltar-format Pet Passport issued?

The Government, through the Ministry of the Environment, has made arrangements for veterinarians in Gibraltar to issue Gibraltar-format Pet Passports. The document is identical to the previous EU version in all respects except that it no longer displays the EU flag or the words “European Union” on its cover, reflecting Gibraltar’s departure from the EU. The Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic near Rosia Bay is the principal veterinary authority for issuing these documents locally. Renewal of an existing passport is free of charge, while a new passport carries a fee of £20 (as of 2020 — verify the current charge with the Environmental Agency).