Bringing Your Pet to Gibraltar: A Complete Import Guide

Moving to Gibraltar with your dog or cat is entirely possible — but it requires planning, patience, and precise documentation. Whether you're relocating with a rescue dog like my Tafoukt (a 20kg Moroccan mix I couldn't bear to leave behind in the shelter), or bringing a beloved family cat, Gibraltar's import rules are straightforward once you understand the timeline.

I've guided dozens of rescue dogs across the Mediterranean to their forever homes in France and beyond. The process is the same whether your companion is a pedigree or a shelter rescue — what matters is preparation. Let's walk through exactly what you need to do, and when.

Can Your Pet Enter Gibraltar?

Dogs and cats are allowed into Gibraltar as personal pets, provided they meet all health and documentation requirements. However, there are important restrictions you need to know about.

Breed Restrictions for Dogs

Gibraltar prohibits the import of four specific dog breeds. If your dog is one of these, entry will be denied:

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Japanese Tosa
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro

Cats have no breed restrictions in Gibraltar.

Cats: No Restrictions

Cats face no breed or type restrictions — only the standard health and documentation requirements apply.

Your Preparation Timeline

The key to smooth pet import is working backwards from your travel date. Here's what to do and when:

6 Months Before Departure

Schedule a pre-travel veterinary consultation. Your vet needs to assess your pet's overall health, confirm vaccination history, and plan the microchipping and vaccination timeline. This is especially important if your pet is coming from a non-EU country or has incomplete records (as is often the case with rescue animals).

4–5 Months Before Departure

Have your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip. This is non-negotiable for international travel. The microchip must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination. If your pet already has a non-ISO chip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at the border — not ideal. Most modern chips are ISO-compliant, but verify with your vet.

4 Months Before Departure

Administer the first rabies vaccination. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination. After this first shot, you must wait a minimum of 21 days before traveling to Gibraltar. If your pet has been previously vaccinated against rabies, a booster is required to ensure current protection.

3 Months Before Departure

Confirm all vaccinations are current. Beyond rabies, ensure your pet has any other vaccinations recommended by your vet for the region you're coming from. While Gibraltar doesn't mandate specific additional vaccines, your origin country's veterinary authority may require documentation of them on the health certificate.

10–14 Days Before Departure

Schedule the health certificate examination. Your licensed veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and issue an official health certificate. This certificate is valid for only 10 days, so timing is critical. The exam must confirm your pet is healthy and fit to travel.

7–10 Days Before Departure

Submit the health certificate for government endorsement. After your vet issues the certificate, it must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're traveling from the United States, APHA if from the United Kingdom, or your national equivalent). This is a separate step from the vet exam and can take several days. Don't wait until the last minute.

5–7 Days Before Departure

Confirm all documents are in order and arrange transport. Verify you have the original health certificate (with government endorsement), microchip documentation, vaccination records, and any import permits if required. If flying, contact your airline to confirm pet travel policies and any additional requirements. Airlines like Air France and others serving Gibraltar have specific pet cabin and cargo policies.

Day of Departure

Arrive at the approved port of entry with all documents. Gibraltar accepts pets through Gibraltar International Airport (GIB). Ensure your pet is in a secure, comfortable carrier and that all paperwork is easily accessible for inspection.

Key Documentation Requirements

Microchip

  • ISO 11784/11785 standard (15-digit) is required
  • Must be implanted before the first rabies vaccination
  • Must be registered and traceable

Rabies Vaccination

  • Required for all dogs and cats
  • First vaccination: pet must be at least 12 weeks old
  • Minimum 21-day waiting period after first vaccination before travel
  • Booster vaccination required if previously vaccinated
  • Vaccine must be current at time of travel

Health Certificate

  • Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel
  • Must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority
  • Original document required (copies not accepted)
  • Certifies your pet is healthy and fit to travel

Import Permit

We're still verifying whether Gibraltar requires an import permit for personal pets — check with Gibraltar's government veterinary authority before finalizing your travel plans.

Quarantine Requirements

Good news: Gibraltar does not require quarantine for pets that arrive with complete, valid documentation (microchip, current rabies vaccination, and endorsed health certificate). Your pet can enter directly and settle into their new home.

Special Considerations for Rescue Dogs

If you're adopting a rescue dog from a shelter (as I did with Tafoukt from Morocco), the timeline may be longer. Shelter dogs often lack complete vaccination records, so budget extra time for:

  • Initial health assessment and any necessary treatments
  • Microchipping and vaccination series if starting from scratch
  • Behavioral assessment before travel (some rescues need time to decompress)

The infrastructure for international pet travel has improved dramatically, but shelters across the Mediterranean still need better support. If you're rescuing, work closely with both the shelter and your vet to ensure all requirements are met — it's worth the effort.

Documents Checklist

  • Microchip documentation (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (original)
  • Health certificate issued by licensed veterinarian (original)
  • Government endorsement of health certificate (original)
  • Proof of microchip registration
  • Any additional vaccination records (if required by origin country)
  • Import permit (if required — verify with Gibraltar authorities)
  • Airline pet travel documentation (if flying)
  • Proof of ownership or adoption papers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vaccinating before microchipping: The microchip must come first. If you reverse the order, you may need to restart the vaccination timeline.
  • Waiting too long for health certificate endorsement: Government endorsement takes time. Apply at least 7–10 days before departure.
  • Using a non-ISO microchip without a scanner: If your pet has an older chip, confirm compatibility or provide your own scanner.
  • Assuming the health certificate is valid for 30 days: It's only valid for 10 days. Schedule your vet exam close to your departure date, not weeks before.
  • Forgetting to notify your airline: Even if your pet travels in cargo, airlines need advance notice. Contact them at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Not verifying breed restrictions: If you have a restricted breed, you'll discover this too late if you don't check early.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Journey

Start early. The entire process takes 4–5 months minimum. Don't compress it — rushed paperwork leads to delays at the border.

Keep digital copies. Photograph all documents and store them in the cloud. If anything is lost in transit, you'll have backups.

Use a pet travel specialist if needed. If you're relocating from outside the EU or dealing with complex circumstances, a pet relocation service can handle the paperwork and logistics.

Acclimate your pet to the carrier early. Whether flying or traveling by road, your pet should be comfortable in their travel carrier weeks before departure.

Plan for the emotional transition. Moving to a new country is stressful for pets. Once you arrive in Gibraltar, give your companion time to adjust. Maintain routines, establish a safe space, and be patient.

Service Dogs and Military Personnel

Trained service dogs are recognized for travel purposes in most ICAO signatory countries, including Gibraltar. However, service dog status does not waive import documentation or quarantine requirements — all standard health certificates, vaccinations, and microchipping still apply. Airlines typically require 48 hours advance notice for service dogs.

Military personnel relocating with pets should follow standard civilian import rules. We're still verifying whether Gibraltar has specific military pet travel provisions — contact the appropriate military liaison if applicable.

Questions? Get Help

For the most current and detailed requirements, contact Gibraltar's government veterinary authority directly before finalizing your travel plans. Requirements can change, and official sources are always your best reference.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo — we'll help you navigate the entire process and ensure nothing is missed.

This guide is based on data auto-verified from official government sources. Always confirm current requirements with Gibraltar's veterinary authorities before traveling.

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