I'm planning on living in Spain for a few months and want to take my dog from here in the UK without having to go through quarantine. I visited the Defra website and have read the "pet passport" scheme which sais your dog can come INTO the UK from most EU countries providing you get the neccesary injections etc. Does anyone know if this scheme is valid in the EU when you leave the UK, so only injections and blood tests would be required on departure rather than quarantine?

Hi 99, there are no quarantine laws for companion animals in Spain. As far as I know pups under 12wks can come into Spain without any vac, but dogs older than this need the rabies jab and a health cert from your vet. If you are planning to take your dog back into the UK at a future date you will need to be up to date with the defra pet passpart plan. You need to plan well in advance for the return to UK, as the UK is the country that enforces the pet plan on all dogs & cats entering into the UK.
Christine, Spain.

Thanks for your advice Christine. I think it might not be possible to take him for a few months as the pet passport plan sais that dogs have to comply to a six month rule, whereas blood samples are taken once then again six months later before the dog is allowed back in. Even if I stayed in Spain for six months, I would have to apply to take him back to the UK and arrange a health check as soon as i got to spain!!

Hi

I you can start the Rabies Jab and six month wait before you leave the uk. You don't have to spend six months in Spain. If you have a chat with your vet they will be able to explain it to you.

If you do a Search of this Site using the pharse 'Pet Passport' it brings up lots of information.

HTH

Yep, agree with TJD...
...as long as your dog does NOT leave the EU AND you keep the rabies vaccination boosters updated on time, the pet passport program works indefinitely after the original 6 month initial period :)
So you can travel all over Europe, with your dog :) And travelling with dog in France is a true joy :)
hth & good luck
toodles