One of the easiest, but not quickest, ways to travel to Spain with a dog from the UK (and back) is by ferry. After all, you just hop on a ferry in England and disembark in Spain at the end of the voyage. Find out more about taking a ferry to Spain with a dog from the UK, including the different routes and facilities for pets onboard.
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Are Dogs Allowed on the Ferry from UK to Spain?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the ferries that cross from the UK to Spain. At the moment the only ferries between the two countries are operated by Brittany Ferries. Each of the Brittany Ferries routes allows dogs on board.
Naturally, you’ll need to have your paperwork in order. To travel from the UK to Spain your dog will require an EU animal health certificate, unless they have an EU pet passport issued either in the EU or Northern Ireland. To travel to the EU they will require a microchip and a valid rabies vaccine.
On the return journey to the UK, your pet will also require a worming treatment administered by a vet, between 24 hours and five days before your arrival in the UK. You can use the same EU pet health certificate to return to the UK, with the worming treatment entered on it, if it was issued less than four months ago.
Can Foot Passengers Take Dogs on the Ferry?
Unfortunately, if you’re planning on travelling to Spain without your car, you will not be able to take your dog onboard the ferry to Spain. On the Brittany Ferries operating between the UK and Spain, only passengers taking a vehicle are permitted to bring pets on board.
Dog-Friendly Ferries to Spain
There are multiple dog-friendly ferries operated by Brittany Ferries from the south of England to the north of Spain. Choose between these three ferry routes for taking a ferry from the UK to Spain with a dog. Note that the ferries generally finish operating for the year in early November – they don’t run during November and December.
Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao
Brittany Ferries operates two crossings departing from Portsmouth in southern England. The first crossing is to Bilbao in northeastern Spain.
Frequency: This dog-friendly ferry to Spain operates twice a week. The crossing from Portsmouth departs on Thursdays at 7:01pm and Sundays at 9:31pm. The return ferry from Bilbao departs at 1:01pm on both Tuesdays and Saturdays. Note that the final sailing for the year is in early November.
Duration: This crossing takes between 29 1/2 and 36 hours, depending on the direction and the day. On crossings departing England two nights are spent on board, while just one night is spent on board the crossings departing Spain.
Dog Facilities: During 2023, the Galicia will operate this route. There are two options for dogs travelling on this route: both pet-friendly cabins and kennels.
There are 22 pet-friendly cabins on the Galicia, a mixture of inside and outside cabins on deck 7. There is also a pet exercise area just outside the cabins. By default only a single pet is allowed in each cabin (contact Brittany Ferries if you have more than one pet), and pets are not allowed in public areas of the ship.
The Galicia also has 10 small kennels and two large kennels, also located on deck 7. The kennels are accessible all day long, except for during twice daily cleaning, and are also adjacent to the pet exercise area. You’ll need to bring your pet’s own bedding.
Note that cats are only permitted in the pet-friendly cabins, not in the kennels.
Foot Passengers? Foot passengers are not permitted to bring pets on board this ferry.
Pet Fees: The cost for taking a pet with Brittany ferries is £45 each direction.
Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander
Brittany Ferries also operates a ferry crossing from Portsmouth to Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region on the northern coast of Spain.
Frequency: This ferry also operates twice a week. The crossing from Portsmouth departs on Mondays and Fridays at 9:30pm. The return ferry from Santander departs at 2:00pm on both Wednesdays and Sundays. Note that the final sailing for the year is in early November.
Duration: The journey to Spain takes 33 1/2 hours, while the return journey varies between 30 1/2 and 33 hours. On the ferry from England two nights are spent on board, while just one night is spent on the return ferry to Spain.
Dog Facilities: During 2023, the Santoña will operate this route. This brand new ship only launched in 2023.
The details of its facilities are not listed on the Brittany ferries website, but are likely to be similar to the Galicia operating the route to Bilbao – see above. There are likely to be a similar number of pet-friendly cabins and kennels, along with a pet exercise area.
Note that cats are only permitted in the pet-friendly cabins, not in the kennels.
Foot Passengers? Foot passengers are not permitted to bring pets on board this ferry.
Pet Fees: The cost for taking a pet onboard this ferry is £45 in each direction.
Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Santander
Brittany Ferries also operates a shorter crossing between England and Spain, in between the ports of Plymouth and Santander.
Frequency: This ferry operates twice per week. The crossing from Plymouth departs on Wednesdays and Sundays. The Wednesday ferries depart at either 12:15pm or 3:45pm, while the Sunday ferries depart at 4:45pm.
The return ferries from Santander depart on Mondays and Thursdays. The Monday ferries depart at 6:00pm, while the Thursday ferries depart at either 1:30pm or 4:00pm. Note that the final sailing for 2023 is on the 2nd November.
Duration: This crossing takes between 20 1/2 to 22 1/2 hours. Only a single night is spent on board in each direction.
Dog Facilities: During 2023, the Pont-Aven will operate this route. There are two options for dogs travelling on the route: both pet-friendly cabins and kennels.
There are 28 pet-friendly cabins on the Pont-Aven, a mixture of inside and outside cabins on deck 6. There is also a pet exercise area just outside the cabins. By default only a single pet is allowed in each cabin (contact Brittany Ferries if you have more than one pet). Note that pets are not allowed in the public areas of the ship.
The Galicia has far more kennels on board – 42 small kennels and 24 large kennels, located on deck 10. Two small dogs can occupy a single large kennel. The kennels are accessible at all times, using a security swipe card keypad. There is a pet exercise area on deck 6, accessible via stairs.
Note that cats are only permitted in the pet-friendly cabins, not in the kennels. Plus unlike on crossings to France, pets are not permitted to remain in your vehicle.
Foot Passengers? Foot passengers are not permitted to bring pets on board this ferry.
Pet Fees: The cost for taking either a pet cat or dog with Brittany ferries is £45 in each direction.
Tips for Taking a Ferry to Spain with Your Dog
Both the pet-friendly cabins and the kennels on the crossings to Spain are quite popular and book out well in advance. It’s possible to check the availability on upcoming crossings on this page, for cabins and kennels.
Note that a muzzle is required for all dogs onboard Brittany Ferries, both when transferring your dog from your car to your cabin or the kennels, plus when visiting the pet exercise areas. I have heard reports this is enforced.
You’ll also need to take your dog’s own bedding onboard the ferry, plus their bowls and food.
Other Options to Travel from the UK to Spain with a Dog
In addition to the direct ferries from the UK to Spain, there are a number of other options for transporting your dog to Spain, including if you are travelling as a foot passenger.
Firstly, it’s possible to fly out of the UK with a dog in the cabin, although only limited airlines offer this option. I am not aware of any Spanish airlines that allow this, so it will likely be necessary to take a connecting flight. However, it is not possible to fly a dog back to the UK in the cabin, only as cargo.
There are multiple ferries that cross from the UK to France and the Netherlands that allow both foot passengers and those travelling with a motor vehicle to bring along pets. For instance, there is the Stena Line Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry, that offers both overnight and shorter day sailings, and has dog-friendly cabins as well as kennels. If travelling on foot, then take a flight to Spain.
For a full list of ferries that allow foot passengers to take pets onboard, see my guide to travelling with a dog between the UK and Europe. Note that unfortunately the Eurostar across the Channel does not allow pet dogs, only service dogs.
If you are travelling with a car and miss out on a booking on the ferry to Spain, there are a large number of ferries making the shorter crossing from England to France that allow pets onboard. Check out my detailed guide to taking dogs on the ferry to France.
Alternatively, book your vehicle onto the Eurotunnel. Then drive from northern France to Spain. I’ve included more tips in my complete guide to travelling from the UK to Spain with a dog.
You May Also Like
- How to Travel to Spain with a Dog from the UK
- How to Travel with a Dog Between the UK and Europe
- Pet-Friendly Cabins on Ferries Between UK and Europe
- Dog-Friendly Spain: Travelling in Spain with a Dog
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
Just to advise that you CANNOT take a dog in the cabin flying with any airline in or out of the U.K.
While pet dogs can’t fly in the cabin into the UK, there are a handful of airlines that offer this flying out of the UK. See: https://www.travelnuity.com/flying-out-of-uk-with-dog/