Because Canada is an EU-listed country, a cat's requirements are light: ISO microchip before the rabies vaccination, vaccination at 12 weeks or older, a 21-day wait, and no titer test. You carry the EU animal health certificate (Canada doesn't use the EU pet passport), endorsed by a CFIA official vet, with arrival within 10 days of issue.
The requirements, in order
Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.
- ISO microchip implantedISO 11784/11785 microchip, implanted and scanned BEFORE — or the same day as — the rabies vaccination. A shot given before the chip does not count and must be redone.
- Rabies vaccination (then a 21-day wait)Given at 12 weeks (84 days) of age or older, after the microchip. You must then wait at least 21 days before entering the EU — the vaccination day is day 0. Boosters kept up to date on schedule need no new wait.No rabies titer test is needed: Canada is an EU-listed country.
- EU animal health certificate endorsed by CFIAA CFIA-accredited veterinarian completes the EU animal health certificate and an official CFIA veterinarian endorses it. Your pet must arrive in the EU within 10 days of issue. After entry the certificate covers onward EU travel for 6 months (or until the rabies vaccination expires).Canada does not use the EU pet passport — the animal health certificate is required for each trip. Returning to Canada needs only a valid rabies vaccination certificate (pets over 3 months).
What's simpler for cats
Tapeworm treatment never applies to cats — not for Spain, and Spain doesn't require it anyway. After entry, the certificate covers onward EU travel for 6 months, or until the rabies vaccination expires. Enter through a designated Travellers' Point of Entry; Spain refuses animals under 15 weeks.
Official sources
These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.
- European Commission — Bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country
- CFIA — Export of dogs, cats and ferrets to the EU (non-commercial)
- Spain (MAPA) — Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets (FAQ)
FAQ
- How long does it take to bring a cat from Canada to Spain?
- About 3–4 weeks: microchip and rabies vaccination, a 21-day wait, then the EU animal health certificate endorsed within 10 days of arrival.
- Does my cat need a titer test for Spain?
- No — Canada is an EU-listed country, so no blood test is required.
- Can I use a pet passport?
- No — Canada doesn't use the EU pet passport. You carry the EU animal health certificate, endorsed by a CFIA official vet.
Other cat routes
- USA → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- USA → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- USA → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · no quarantine
- USA → France (EU)3–4 weeks lead · category-1 breed ban
- USA → Portugal (EU)3–4 weeks lead · 48h arrival notice
- USA → Germany (EU)3–4 weeks lead · breed import ban
- USA → Italy (EU)3–4 weeks lead · no breed bans
- USA → New Zealand~6 months lead · 10-day quarantine
- USA → United Kingdom~3 weeks lead · no quarantine if compliant
- UK → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- UK → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- UK → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · AHC, not a passport
- Canada → USANo waiting period · just the CDC form + 6-month age
- Canada → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- Canada → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- USA → MexicoNo waiting period · screwworm cert for dogs (Aug 2026)
- USA → Dominican Republic~1 month lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Brazil~3 weeks lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Colombia~3 weeks lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Argentina~3 weeks lead · no permit, no quarantine
- USA → Cayman Islands~3 months lead · titer test, no quarantine option