Bringing a Pet to Andorra

Bringing Your Pet to Andorra: A Complete Import Guide

Andorra is a small, mountainous country nestled between France and Spain—a place where the air is clean, the hiking is exceptional, and the community is tight-knit. If you're moving here with a cat or dog, you're joining a country that welcomes pets, but like all European destinations, it has specific import requirements. This guide walks you through every step, from microchipping to arrival.

I've relocated rescue dogs across the Mediterranean—from Morocco to France, from shelters to forever homes—and I've learned that the paperwork, while detailed, exists for a reason: to protect animal welfare and prevent disease. Tafoukt, my Moroccan rescue, made that journey with me, and every document in her file represents care. Let's make sure yours does too.

Can You Bring Your Pet to Andorra?

Yes. Both cats and dogs are allowed to be imported to Andorra as personal pets, provided they meet health and documentation requirements. There are no breed restrictions for cats or dogs in Andorra—no banned breeds, no size limits for personal imports. This openness is refreshing, especially for rescue animals of mixed heritage.

Andorra does not require an import permit for personal pets, and quarantine is not required if your documentation is complete and valid. This means if you arrive with all your paperwork in order, your pet walks off the plane or crosses the border with you—no detention, no delays.

Your Preparation Timeline

6 Months Before Departure

Schedule a pre-travel vet consultation. Your veterinarian needs to assess your pet's overall health and confirm they're fit for international travel. Discuss any anxiety, medication needs, or breed-specific concerns. This is also the time to ask your vet about the specific requirements for Andorra and to establish a timeline for vaccinations and microchipping.

4–5 Months Before Departure

Microchip your pet if they don't already have one. Andorra requires an ISO 11784/11785 microchip (the 15-digit international standard). The microchip must be implanted before your pet receives their rabies vaccination—this is a critical sequence. If your pet has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner, which is impractical; get the ISO standard chip instead. The microchip is painless, permanent, and costs around €20–50.

4 Months Before Departure

Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) old to receive rabies vaccination. The vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian and recorded in your pet's health documentation. After this first vaccination, you must wait at least 21 days before traveling—this is a legal waiting period in most countries, including Andorra's neighboring EU members.

If your pet has been previously vaccinated against rabies, ensure the booster is current. Boosters are required to maintain immunity.

3 Months Before Departure

Arrange your health certificate. Contact your veterinarian and ask them to prepare an official health certificate for international travel. This certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and must certify that your pet is healthy and fit to travel. The certificate is valid for 10 days, so you'll time this closer to departure—but you need to book the appointment now.

The health certificate must also be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (for example, USDA APHIS if you're traveling from the United States, APHA if from the UK, or your regional veterinary service if from within the EU). This endorsement is a separate step and takes additional time—typically 5–10 business days. Plan accordingly.

2 Months Before Departure

Confirm your travel arrangements. If flying, contact your airline to inform them you're traveling with a pet. Airlines like Air France and others serving Andorra (via nearby airports in France or Spain) have specific pet policies. Some allow pets in the cabin; others require them in cargo. Fees, crate requirements, and advance notice vary. Get this confirmed in writing.

If driving, you have more flexibility, but ensure your pet is comfortable in the car and plan for rest stops.

10 Days Before Departure

Schedule your health certificate appointment. Your vet will examine your pet and issue the health certificate. Remember, this certificate is valid for only 10 days, so timing is crucial. Schedule it for 7–10 days before your departure date.

7 Days Before Departure

Obtain the government endorsement of your health certificate. After your vet issues the certificate, submit it to your country's veterinary authority for official endorsement. This step is non-negotiable and must be completed before travel. Allow 5–7 business days for processing.

3 Days Before Departure

Gather all documents and do a final check. Confirm you have your original health certificate (government-endorsed), microchip documentation, rabies vaccination records, and any other health records. Make copies of everything. Keep originals in a waterproof folder and copies in your phone or email.

Arrange transport logistics. If flying, confirm your airline reservation and crate requirements. If driving, plan your route and identify pet-friendly rest stops or hotels along the way.

Day of Departure

Travel with confidence. Bring all original documents with you. Your pet should be calm, hydrated, and comfortable. If crossing by car, take breaks every 2–3 hours. If flying, arrive early and inform airline staff that you're traveling with a pet.

Essential Documents Checklist

• Original health certificate (issued by licensed vet, government-endorsed)
• Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 standard, implant date and number)
• Rabies vaccination record (date, vaccine name, veterinarian signature)
• Booster vaccination record (if applicable)
• Copies of all above documents (for your records)
• Airline pet booking confirmation (if flying)
• Pet passport or vaccination booklet (if available in your country)

Key Requirements at a Glance

Microchip

ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip is mandatory. Must be implanted before rabies vaccination.

Rabies Vaccination

Required. Pet must be at least 12 weeks old. First vaccination requires a 21-day waiting period before travel. Boosters must be current.

Health Certificate

Required. Issued by licensed vet, endorsed by government veterinary authority. Valid for 10 days. Must be original.

Quarantine

Not required if all documentation is complete and valid. Your pet arrives with you.

Import Permit

Not required for personal pets.

Breed Restrictions

None. No banned breeds for cats or dogs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Vaccinating before microchipping. The microchip must come first. If you vaccinate first, you'll need to start the timeline over.
• Waiting until the last minute for the health certificate. Government endorsement takes time. Start the process 3 weeks before departure.
• Using a non-ISO microchip. If your pet has an older chip, get an ISO standard one. It's not worth the hassle at the border.
• Forgetting to book your airline pet reservation. Spots fill up, especially in summer. Confirm as soon as you know your travel date.
• Assuming your pet's old vaccination records are enough. Get fresh documentation from your current vet. Records must be current and official.
• Traveling without copies of documents. Keep digital copies in your email and cloud storage. Originals can be lost or damaged.

A Note on Rescue Animals

If you're bringing a rescue dog or cat to Andorra—as I did with Tafoukt—the same requirements apply. Rescue animals deserve the same care and documentation as any other pet. In fact, international rescue networks rely on this infrastructure. When you follow these steps meticulously, you're not just protecting your own pet; you're supporting the broader movement to relocate animals from overcrowded shelters to safe homes across borders. Every properly documented rescue animal that arrives safely strengthens the case for more shelters to participate in international adoption programs.

Arriving in Andorra

When you arrive at the border or airport, present your documents to customs or veterinary officials if requested. With complete, valid paperwork, you should pass through without delay. Your pet will not be quarantined. Keep your documents accessible during the first few weeks in case you need to register your pet locally or visit a veterinarian.

Once in Andorra, consider registering your pet with local authorities and finding a veterinarian for ongoing care. The Andorran veterinary community is small but professional, and they'll be familiar with international health standards.

Still Have Questions?

For the most current information on Andorra's specific import requirements, contact Andorra's government veterinary authority directly. While we've verified this guide against industry standards and official sources, regulations can change. A quick call or email to local authorities before you travel is always wise.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to create a customized timeline based on your specific departure date and pet's current health status.

This guide is based on verified data from official government sources and international pet travel standards, current as of the publication date. Always confirm requirements with Andorra's veterinary authority before traveling.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 22, 2026