Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Dog
Entry requirements, cabins and carriers on board, and tips for travelling with your four-legged friend
- EU pet passport is enough, the Canary Islands are part of Spain
- Pet-friendly cabins or on-deck carriers, depending on the ship
- Leishmaniasis prevention recommended for the Canary Islands
Entry Requirements
What Your Dog Needs for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (Spain) follow the standard EU rules. Note: leishmaniasis risk area!
EU pet passport
ISO microchip
Rabies vaccination
Leishmaniasis risk!
Dog-Friendly Ferries
Ferries to the Canary Islands with a Dog
Table of Contents
Travelling to the Canary Islands with a Dog
The Canary Islands are part of Spain, so your dog travels under the standard EU rules, without any elaborate special paperwork. On the ferry, they can join you in two ways: on the long Atlantic crossing from the mainland, and on the short ferries between the islands. This guide sums up what you need to know about documents, registration and accommodation on board.
Entry and documents
For the Canary Islands, the EU pet passport with an ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination is enough. Since you're travelling within Spain, or the EU, no Animal Health Certificate is required. One regional point matters: the Canary Islands are a leishmaniasis risk area where sandflies are widespread. Discuss prevention, such as a Scalibor collar or a spot-on treatment, with your vet well before travelling.
Registering when booking
You need to register pets when booking so a space is reserved for them. The number of pet-friendly cabins is limited, so it's worth booking your dog in early, especially in high season. If you're travelling by car or motorhome, it's best to register the animal together with the vehicle.
Cabin or carrier on board
With Baleària Canarias, depending on the ship, dogs travel in one of three ways: on a Pet&You mat next to your seat (Pet&You XL for large dogs), in a rest pod on deck or in the garage with visiting hours and, on some ships, phone video monitoring, or in pet-friendly cabins with a pet bed and water bowl on the overnight ferries. With Fred Olsen Express, animals travel between the islands in their own carrier in the lounge (up to 10 kilograms, carrier no larger than 50 by 40 by 25 centimetres, with a waterproof base), in the pet rooms on the outer deck, or on the pet sofa; spaces are limited and cheaper online than on board. For the Ro-Pax ferry Marie Curie from Huelva, the company describes the accommodation separately. On every ferry, the same rule applies: report to staff when boarding, and animals with a pet sofa or pet room spot board on a lead.
The long crossing
The Atlantic crossing from Cádiz or Huelva takes many hours overnight, so a cabin or a carrier with a familiar blanket is worth it for your dog. Bring plenty of water, a bowl, a lead, poo bags and your dog's usual food. Use the designated outer-deck areas for toilet breaks. Feeding lightly before departure helps prevent restlessness.
Between the islands
Once your dog is in the Canary Islands, they can join you for island hopping too. Every inter-island ferry carries pets, including Líneas Romero across the Bocaina strait and to La Graciosa; you register them with every booking. Keep your pet's boarding pass and pet passport in your hand luggage, as both ferry companies check them when boarding.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about travelling with a dog to the Canary Islands
What documents does my dog need for the Canary Islands?+
The Canary Islands are part of Spain and therefore the EU, so the EU pet passport with an ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination (21-day waiting period after the first vaccination) is enough. An Animal Health Certificate, as required for Great Britain, isn't needed. For the Canary Islands, leishmaniasis prevention is also recommended, so discuss it with your vet.
Do I need to register my dog for the ferry?+
Yes, you need to register pets when booking so a space is reserved for them. If you're travelling with a vehicle, it's best to add the dog to the same booking. Register early, as pet-friendly cabins are limited and go quickly in high season.
Does my dog travel in the cabin or in a carrier?+
That depends on the ship and the route. On the long mainland crossings with Baleària Canarias, dogs travel in pet-friendly cabins or in on-deck carriers, depending on the ship. On the short inter-island ferries, dogs usually stay in the vehicle or in a designated area on board. Check the exact arrangement when booking.
Does bringing my dog cost extra?+
A supplement usually applies for pets, and the amount depends on the ferry company, the route and the accommodation (cabin or carrier). You'll see the price when booking, once you add the pet. You'll find an overview of the costs on Canary Islands routes in the fare overview.
How does my dog cope best with the long crossing?+
For the overnight crossing, plan for a pet-friendly cabin or a carrier with a familiar blanket, bring plenty of water, a bowl, a lead and your dog's usual food, and use the designated areas on deck for toilet breaks. Only feed your dog lightly before departure, and keep the pet passport within easy reach.
Can my dog travel on every inter-island ferry?+
Yes, you can take your dog on the ferries between the Canary Islands. The same rule applies: register when booking. Depending on the ship, they travel in the vehicle, in a deck area or in a carrier, so island hopping with your four-legged friend is easy.