Checked against official sources on 2 November 2026. Rules change: always check the linked source. This guide is for information only and does not replace the legal text or what your town hall or region says.
What paperwork you will be asked for
To travel by ferry, Baleària, Baleària Canarias and Trasmed ask for the pet's boarding pass and its valid health booklet; Trasmed specifies that the compulsory vaccinations and treatments must be up to date [3][5][10]. Fred. Olsen Express reminds passengers that it is their responsibility to carry the animal's legal documents, as they may be requested at routine checks [11].
By plane, Iberia states that within Spain a pet passport is not needed, only the official health booklet [12]. On domestic flights, Air Europa asks for the official health booklet or a certificate of good health issued by a vet within the 10 days before the flight, on both the outbound and return journeys [14]. Vueling's help centre, in its section on flights within the European Union (it has no specific section for domestic flights), asks for a microchip and a European pet passport with the rabies vaccine given at least 21 days before the flight [24].
The rabies vaccine is compulsory in some regions (comunidades autónomas) and voluntary in others, and Iberia advises asking your vet if your dog does not have it because it is not compulsory in your region [12]. In the Illes Balears, according to the Balearic Government, Decreto 21/2015 (Decree 21/2015) keeps annual rabies vaccination compulsory for dogs from 3 months of age «dentro del territorio de Illes Balears» (translation: “within the territory of the Illes Balears”) [18]. In the Canary Islands, the Orden de 18 de marzo de 1998 (Order of 18 March 1998) requires it for «la totalidad del censo canino del Archipiélago» (translation: “the entire registered dog population of the Archipelago”) from 3 months of age, with annual revaccination [19]. We have not been able to confirm whether the obligation also covers dogs that are only visiting; check with your vet.
- Health booklet or European pet passport with vaccinations up to date.
- Microchip (essential if you fly with Vueling) [24].
- The pet's boarding pass if you travel by ferry [3][5][10].
- Lead, and a muzzle if your dog is classed as potentially dangerous: they are required at boarding and in common areas [4][5][10].
By ferry to the Balearic Islands
Baleària has pet-friendly cabins: two animals fit if together they do not exceed 30 kg; if they weigh more, only one per cabin [2]. The dog can stay alone in the cabin and go out with you to the exercise area if the ship has one [2]. The pet-friendly seat allows one pet per passenger of up to 8 kg including the carrier, which goes on your lap or under the seat [1]. There are also ventilated calm kennels on deck, in the garage or in other areas; they cannot be visited during the crossing except on ferries with visiting hours or in the VIP accommodation of the Ramon Llull, and on «Smart Ship» vessels there is video surveillance [1]. Passengers with animals disembark last and the dog must be on a lead or in a carrier, with a muzzle if it is of a dangerous breed or not very sociable [4]. Baleària expressly prohibits leaving animals in vehicles [21]. The pages consulted do not publish prices.
Trasmed offers a pet-friendly cabin for up to two dogs or cats with no weight limit, a seating area with carrier for pets of up to 8 kg including the carrier (one per passenger) and video-monitored kennels that you can visit during the journey [10]. The animal cannot travel in the hold or stay inside the car, and needs its own ticket [10]. Dogs can walk on a harness and lead on the outside decks and designated areas; potentially dangerous dogs must wear a muzzle [10].
By ferry to the Canary Islands and between islands
Baleària Canarias offers, depending on vessel, route and availability, Pet&You and Pet&You XL (a mat next to your seat), pet-friendly seat, calm kennels and pet-friendly cabins [5][8]. For the pet-friendly seat the carrier measures at most 60 × 35 × 35 cm, goes on your lap or at your feet, the animal does not come out of it and there may be an extra charge, which is shown when booking [6]. In its pet-friendly cabins up to two pets can travel with no weight restriction [7]. Pets cannot stay in the vehicle during the crossing and assistance dogs board free of charge [5]. In March 2026 the CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia, Spain's competition authority) authorised Baleària's purchase of Armas-Trasmediterránea assets in the Canary Islands [9], and on 18 May 2026 Baleària announced that it had taken effective control of those assets and operates in the archipelago under the Baleària Canarias brand, which will coexist with the Armas Trasmediterránea brand for a transitional period [22][20].
Fred. Olsen Express, on its inter-island routes, has Pet Carrier (up to 10 kg, with your own carrier of 50 × 40 × 25 cm maximum, from €2), Pet Rooms (kennels on the ship's terrace, any weight, from €3) and Pet Sofa (a mat next to your seat, any weight, from €7); the price varies by route, is cheaper online and carries a surcharge on board [11]. Each passenger can book at most 2 Pet Rooms, 2 Pet Carriers and 1 Pet Sofa, and the Ferry Bus service does not accept pets [11]. For the Canarias-Huelva route, its website lists pet-friendly cabins for two pets of up to 30 kg, with advance booking and limited availability, and pet rooms in a covered, ventilated area [11]. If you leave your dog in the car during the crossing, it is at your own responsibility [11].
By plane
AENA (Spain's airport operator) reminds you that you must notify your airline in advance if you are travelling with an animal and that each company may limit the places in the cabin and charge a supplement [17].
Iberia Group (Iberia, Iberia Express and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum): in the cabin, up to 8 kg including the carrier, of 45 × 35 × 25 cm maximum (the sum cannot exceed 105 cm); on Air Nostrum flights the carrier cannot be rigid [12]. It costs €40 online or €44 at the airport per journey within Spain except the Canary Islands, and €60 online or €66 at the airport in the Canary Islands zone [12]. In the hold it accepts dogs of up to 45 kg including the carrier, with prior authorisation, except brachycephalic breeds and breeds considered dangerous; payment is made at the airport: 90, 100 or €110 per journey within Spain except the Canary Islands, and 135, 145 or €155 in the Canary Islands zone, depending on weight (up to 10 kg, 11-25 kg, 26-45 kg) [12]. Hold bookings must be made at least 48 hours before departure [23].
Vueling only carries animals in the cabin: non-rigid carrier of 45 × 39 × 21 cm and 10 kg with the pet inside [13], with a maximum of 5 pets per flight and one per passenger [24]; its pages do not publish the price, which is added during booking [13]. Air Europa accepts dogs of up to 8 kg in the cabin (10 kg with the soft carrier of 40 × 30 × 30 cm): €35 on domestic flights and to the Balearic Islands and €50 to the Canary Islands; in the hold, up to 50 kg with the crate: €90 on the mainland and the Balearic Islands and €150 to the Canary Islands [14]. Brachycephalic breeds do not travel in the hold; for the cabin, its page gives two different limits (10 kg including the container in one section and less than 8 kg including the carrier in its FAQs), so confirm with the airline [14]. Binter charges, in the cabin (8 kg or less, carrier of 45 × 35 × 25 cm), €9 on Canary inter-island flights and €25 on the rest, and in the hold (more than 8 kg) €20 inter-island and €100 on the rest; it does not publish a maximum weight in the hold or excluded breeds [15]. According to its help centre, Ryanair does not carry animals on board, except certified guide or assistance dogs, which travel in the cabin at the passenger's feet, with a maximum of four per flight [16][25]. Volotea only carries animals in the cabin (not in the hold): one pet per passenger and up to 5 per flight, in a soft carrier of 50 × 40 × 20 cm maximum and 10 kg in total, from €39.99 [26][27].
Comparison table
Conditions checked on 02/11/2026. “—”: option not offered; “n/p”: information not published on the pages consulted.
| Company | Mode | Next to you | Large dogs | Published price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baleària (Balearic Islands) | Ferry | Pet-friendly seat, up to 8 kg with carrier; pet-friendly cabin | Cabin (2 dogs up to 30 kg in total, or 1 if they weigh more); calm kennels | n/p | [1][2] |
| Baleària Canarias | Ferry | Pet&You, Pet&You XL, seat (carrier 60×35×35), cabin | Cabin for 2 pets with no weight limit; calm kennels | Shown when booking | [5][6][7][8] |
| Trasmed | Ferry | Seats with carrier up to 8 kg; pet-friendly cabin | Cabin for 2 with no weight limit; kennels | n/p | [10] |
| Fred. Olsen Express | Ferry | Pet Carrier up to 10 kg; Pet Sofa with no weight limit | Pet Rooms; cabin for 2 of up to 30 kg (Huelva) | From 2, 3 and €7 (inter-island) | [11] |
| Iberia / Iberia Express / Air Nostrum | Plane | Cabin up to 8 kg with carrier | Hold up to 45 kg (no brachycephalic or dangerous breeds) | Cabin €40–66; hold €90–155 | [12] |
| Vueling | Plane | Cabin up to 10 kg with carrier | — | n/p | [13][24] |
| Volotea | Plane | Cabin up to 10 kg with carrier | — | From €39.99 | [26][27] |
| Air Europa | Plane | Cabin, dog up to 8 kg (10 kg in total) | Hold up to 50 kg with crate (no brachycephalic breeds) | Cabin €35–50; hold €90–150 | [14] |
| Binter | Plane | Cabin up to 8 kg with carrier | Hold, more than 8 kg | Cabin €9–25; hold €20–100 | [15] |
| Ryanair | Plane | Guide or assistance dogs only | — | — | [16][25] |
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a 30 kg dog to Mallorca by ferry?
Yes. Baleària accepts it in a pet-friendly cabin (if it weighs more than 30 kg, only one per cabin) or in calm kennels, and Trasmed in a pet-friendly cabin with no weight limit or in kennels. Trasmed does not allow the dog to stay inside the car during the crossing.
Which airlines take large dogs to the Canary Islands?
According to their websites, Iberia (hold up to 45 kg including carrier, except brachycephalic and dangerous breeds), Air Europa (hold up to 50 kg with crate, except brachycephalic breeds) and Binter (hold, more than 8 kg). Vueling, Volotea and Ryanair do not carry animals in the hold.
Can my dog stay in the car during the ferry crossing?
On Trasmed and Baleària Canarias, no. Fred. Olsen Express allows it at your own full responsibility. Baleària also expressly prohibits it.
Do I need a European pet passport to go to the islands?
Within Spain, Iberia and Air Europa ask for the official health booklet (Air Europa also accepts a certificate of good health from the previous 10 days). Vueling's help centre asks for a European pet passport and microchip (in its section on flights within the EU). On ferries they ask for a valid health booklet and the pet's boarding pass.
Sources
- Travel by ferry with pets · Baleària
- Camarotes para animales de compañía (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
- Documentación necesaria para tu mascota (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
- Embarcar con mascotas (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
- Viajar en ferry con mascotas · Baleària Canarias
- Butaca Pet Friendly (centro de ayuda) · Baleària Canarias
- Camarotes pet friendly (centro de ayuda) · Baleària Canarias
- Pet&You y Pet&You XL (centro de ayuda) · Baleària Canarias
- La CNMC aprueba en segunda fase dos compras de activos de Armas por parte de Balearia (31/03/2026) · Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia
- Viaja con tu mascota · Trasmed
- ¿Cómo es viajar con mascotas en Fred. Olsen Express? · Fred. Olsen Express
- Viajar con mascotas · Iberia
- Volar con mascotas · Vueling
- Viajar con mascotas en avión · Air Europa
- Travelling with animals · Binter
- ¿Se pueden llevar animales en los vuelos de Ryanair? (centro de ayuda) · Ryanair
- Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets · AENA
- Medidas de control, prevención y vigilancia epidemiológica de la rabia en animales (Decreto 21/2015) · Govern de les Illes Balears
- Orden de 18 de marzo de 1998 por la que se regula la Campaña Antirrábica (BOC n.º 41, 03/04/1998) · Gobierno de Canarias
- Official Press Release | Armas Trasmediterránea · Armas Trasmediterránea
- Are pets allowed to travel in vehicles? (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
- Baleària takes effective control of Armas Trasmediterránea in the Canary Islands and consolidates its leadership in Spain (18/05/2026) · Baleària
- Travelling with pets · Iberia
- Fly with my Pet (centro de ayuda) · Vueling
- Guide & Assistance Dogs (centro de ayuda) · Ryanair
- Mascotas a bordo · Volotea
- Condiciones de transporte (apartado 6.10, Animales) · Volotea