Traveling to the Canary Islands with your dog: the complete guide
Traveling to the Canary Islands with your dog is entirely doable, whether you live in mainland Spain or you're flying in from anywhere else in the European Union. The basic rules are the same for every EU resident; all that changes is which airport you leave from and which airline you pick. In this guide we've pulled together the official requirements, how your dog actually travels on the plane, how to book without any nasty surprises and, most important for your stay, how to get around between the islands with your pet.
Legal requirements for traveling with your dog within the EU
The Canaries are part of Spain and of the European Union, so the common EU rules on travel with pets apply. There is no extra, island-specific health requirement.
Your dog needs:
An identifying microchip. It must meet the ISO standard (11784/11785). This is the first step: the order matters.
A valid rabies vaccination. It is always given after the microchip (if it was done before, it doesn't count). The animal must be at least 12 weeks old for its first shot, and you have to wait 21 days from that first dose before traveling. If you renew the booster before it expires, the 21-day clock does not start over.
An EU pet passport. Any authorised vet can issue one to owners resident in the EU, and it is valid for life as long as the rabies vaccination is kept up to date.
Two clarifications that head off common mistakes:
You don't need a health certificate to travel between EU countries. The veterinary certificate is only required when entering the EU from a non-EU country. The passport is enough.
No tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment is required to travel to Spain or the Canaries. That treatment is only mandatory for Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland.
You can travel with up to 5 pets without any commercial paperwork.
Cabin or hold?
It depends on the weight and the airline, but the general rule is:
In the cabin: small dogs usually travel with you as long as the combined weight of dog plus carrier stays under a maximum (commonly around 8 kg, though this varies by airline). The carrier must be soft-sided, leak-proof and ventilated, and fit under the seat in front of you.
In the hold: larger dogs travel in the pressurised, climate-controlled hold, in a rigid IATA-approved carrier in which the animal can stand up, turn around and lie down.
Important: the exact weight limits, the prices and the number of pets allowed per flight are set by each airline. There is no "one animal per plane" rule: what exists are per-cabin quotas. Always confirm the details with your airline.
Choosing an airline
This is where things vary the most, so the best advice is the generic, safe one:
Full-service airlines (with or without a stopover) usually allow small dogs in the cabin and large dogs in the hold. The weight limits and fares depend on each carrier: check your airline's official pet page before you buy the ticket.
Several low-cost carriers don't transport pets at all, apart from accredited assistance dogs. For example, easyJet does not accept pets of any kind (only certified assistance dogs, with 48 hours' notice). Other low-cost airlines apply similar policies; check each website.
If you're flying in from outside mainland Spain, bear in mind that many routes to the Canaries with a pet involve a stopover (for example via Madrid). If your dog is travelling in the hold, allow a generous margin for the connection.
How to book, step by step
The most common mistake is buying the flight and then trying to add the dog. Do it the other way round:
Go over the paperwork with your vet (microchip, rabies vaccination up to date, passport).
Choose the specific flight and contact the airline first (by phone or email) to confirm there's a pet slot on that flight. Slots per plane are limited.
Only once they confirm the slot, buy your ticket.
Book and pay for the pet's slot (by phone, via a payment link or at the check-in desk).
Always ask for written confirmation that your booking includes a pet.
Getting around the Canaries with your dog
Once you're on the islands, getting around with your dog is easy, both by ferry and on the inter-island flights.
By ferry between islands
Fred. Olsen Express accepts pets (with advance booking) in three ways: in your carrier of up to 10 kg, at floor level in the lounge; in the Pet Rooms, covered and ventilated outdoor kennels on the terrace, for any weight; or on the Pet Sofa, on a mat next to your seat, always leashed. The pet must be on a lead when boarding and disembarking.
Armas Trasmediterránea also accepts documented pets: in a carrier of up to 10 kg, in pet-friendly cabins (dogs and cats up to 30 kg, maximum 2 per cabin), in indoor and outdoor kennels, in deck areas or inside your vehicle. Leash outside the carrier, and a muzzle for potentially dangerous breeds.
By plane between islands
Canaryfly lets you travel with your pet in the cabin if it doesn't exceed 8 kg; above that weight it travels in the hold. The carrier must be rigid and approved, and you can't take the animal out during the flight.
Binter also offers pet transport in the cabin; check the weight limit and current conditions on its official website.
Practical tips
Get your dog used to the carrier weeks before the trip.
Avoid feeding it right before flying; water is fine.
Keep the passport and vaccination record handy at all times: you may be asked for them at check-in.
Book the pet's slot as far in advance as you can: the quotas fill fast.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a health certificate to take my dog to the Canaries?
No, not if you're travelling from elsewhere in the EU. The EU pet passport, with the rabies vaccination up to date, is enough. The certificate is only required when entering the EU from outside.
Do I have to deworm against tapeworm before travelling to the Canaries?
No. That treatment is only mandatory for Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland.
How far in advance do I need the rabies vaccination?
At least 21 days before the trip if it's the first shot, and always after the microchip has been fitted.
Can my dog travel on its own, without me?
Some airlines allow the pet to be sent as cargo, always in the hold and handled separately. Check directly with the carrier.
Can I move between islands with my dog?
Yes. The ferries (Fred. Olsen, Armas) and the inter-island flights (Canaryfly, Binter) accept pets under their own conditions. It's one of the great advantages of travelling around the Canaries with a dog.
Airline and ferry company rules can change. Always confirm the details (weight, price, slots) on each company's official website before booking.