Pet guide
Taking your dog on the ferry to Mallorca
Check the official documents and book the pet option for your specific operator and ship
- EU pet passport, microchip and valid rabies vaccination
- 21 days' waiting period after the first valid rabies vaccination
- Pet cabin, pet-friendly seat or carrier depending on operator and ship
Official entry rules
What your pet needs for Mallorca
For entry into Spain from another EU country, the official EU and Spanish rules apply. The operator can additionally require its own onboard documents.
EU pet passport
Microchip
Rabies vaccination
No tapeworm treatment
Operator rules and travel preparation
Table of Contents
Onboard rules depend on the operator, and sometimes the ship. A blanket statement like "the dog stays in the car" or "all pets must go in a kennel" is wrong for Mallorca ferries. Two separate checks matter: first, the official documents for Spain, then the bookable pet option for your specific sailing.
Official documents for Spain
For entry from another EU country, the EU sets out three core elements: identification, a valid rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport. The microchip must have been implanted, or documented, before the vaccination that counts for the trip. A 21-day waiting period applies after a first valid rabies vaccination.
Spain's Ministry of Agriculture derives a minimum entry age of 15 weeks from this: vaccination at 12 weeks earliest plus the waiting period. Spain doesn't require treatment against echinococcus. For a purely domestic Spanish route, health documentation still matters, since the operator can ask for it at check-in.
Pet options by operator
| Operator | Bookable accommodation | Important before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Baleària | Pet-friendly seat, pet cabin or "Casita de la Calma" depending on the ship | For the pet-friendly seat, pet plus carrier must weigh no more than 8 kg total; bring a pet boarding card and health documents. |
| GNV | Pet cabin or designated dog/cat area | Bring health documents, a lead and a muzzle; the exact access areas are in the conditions for your sailing. |
| Corsica Ferries | Pet cabins and designated areas | Dog on a lead; a carrier for small pets, and a muzzle in case it's needed. |
| Trasmed | Pet transport as a separate booking item | The pet needs its own ticket or booking reference; check accommodation for the specific ship at the booking step. |
This table isn't a guarantee for every sailing. If a desired pet cabin doesn't appear at the booking step, it may be sold out or unavailable on that ship.
Don't plan around the vehicle
With Baleària, the vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing. With other operators too, access to the car is limited or not allowed at all. So plan your trip only with confirmed pet accommodation, not an improvised stay in the car or motorhome.
On a short day sailing, a pet-friendly seat or carrier can work well; on an overnight crossing, a pet cabin is often the calmer option. What matters most is your pet's temperament, the length of the journey and the rules of the ship in use.
Booking it right
Add your dog or cat directly when booking your ticket and choose the accommodation shown. Then check that the pet appears on every leg, especially on Palma-Formentera via Ibiza. Keep the pet's boarding card together with your own travel documents in your hand luggage.
If you're travelling by car, allow the longer vehicle check-in time. Full deadlines and vehicle dimensions are in the car guide; for campers, the motorhome guide covers the vehicle side.
What to pack in your hand luggage
Bring the pet passport, boarding card, lead, muzzle and a suitable carrier. Add water, a bowl, food, waste bags, a familiar blanket and any needed medication. Since you won't be able to return to the vehicle during the crossing, pack everything for the whole trip in a separate bag.
Before travelling, get your pet used to the carrier or muzzle. Avoid a large meal right before departure, and discuss travel sickness or sedatives with your vet in advance.
FAQ dogs on the ferry
Frequently asked questions
The key answers, with regulation kept separate from operator rules.
Can my dog come on the ferry to Mallorca?+
Baleària, GNV, Trasmed and Corsica Ferries all offer pet transport. Book your pet together with your ticket; the option and available spaces depend on the ship in use.
Where does my dog stay during the crossing?+
This isn't the same across operators. Options include a pet cabin, a pet-friendly seat, a carrier or kennel, or designated areas. Choose the accommodation when booking and check the conditions for your specific sailing.
Can my dog stay in the car?+
Don't plan on it. With Baleària, the vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing, and other operators also restrict access. Book a confirmed pet option instead. Vehicle preparation is covered under Driving to Mallorca by ferry.
Does my dog need to wear a muzzle?+
The onboard rule depends on the operator. GNV requires you to carry a lead and muzzle; Corsica Ferries requires a lead and a muzzle if the animal is agitated. Bring both along, even if a muzzle doesn't need to be worn constantly on your sailing.
What documents does my pet need?+
For travel within the EU you need the EU pet passport, identification and a valid rabies vaccination. A 21-day waiting period applies after the first valid vaccination. In addition, your pet needs its own booking or boarding card from the operator.
Does my dog need tapeworm treatment for Spain?+
No. The EU only requires this treatment for certain destination countries; Spain isn't one of them. This doesn't replace veterinary advice if your pet needs medication or special care.
What changes with a motorhome?+
The pet option remains a separate booking and can't be replaced by staying in the camper. Vehicle dimensions, gas cylinders and onboard power are explained in Taking a motorhome to Mallorca.