Pet guide
Taking your dog on the ferry to Mallorca
Check the documents for Spain and book the right pet place on board
- Pet passport, microchip and rabies jab
- 21 days after the first vaccination
- Pet cabin, seat or kennel by ship
- Book your pet's place with your ticket
- Can be combined with a car or motorhome
- Live prices and sailings for your travel date
Official entry rules
What your pet needs for Mallorca
Entering Spain from another EU country is governed by the official EU and Spanish rules. The operator may also ask for its own on-board documents.
EU pet passport
Microchip
Rabies vaccination
No tapeworm treatment
Operator rules and preparing for the trip
Table of Contents
The on-board rules depend on the operator and sometimes the ship. A general statement such as “the dog stays in the car” or “all animals must go in the kennel” is wrong for Mallorca ferries. What matters are two separate checks: first the official documents for Spain, then the bookable pet option on your specific sailing.
Official documents for Spain
For entry from another EU country, three key requirements apply: identification, a valid rabies vaccination and the EU pet passport. The microchip must have been implanted or recorded before the vaccination that counts for the journey. After a first valid rabies vaccination there is a waiting period of 21 days.
For Spain, this means a minimum entry age of 15 weeks: vaccination from 12 weeks at the earliest, plus the waiting period. Spain does not require treatment against Echinococcus. Even on a purely domestic Spanish route, health documents still matter, because the operator can ask for them at check-in.
Pet options by operator
| Operator | Bookable accommodation | Important before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Baleària | Depending on the ship, pet-friendly seat, pet cabin or “Casita de la Calma” | For the pet-friendly seat, pet plus carrier must weigh no more than 8 kg; carry the pet boarding pass and health documents. |
| GNV | Pet cabin or designated dog/cat area | Carry health documents, lead and muzzle; the areas you can access are listed in the conditions for your sailing. |
| Corsica Ferries | Pet cabins and designated areas | Dogs on a lead; a carrier for small animals, and bring a muzzle in case it's needed. |
| Trasmed | Pets booked as a separate service | Your pet needs its own ticket or booking reference; check the accommodation for your specific ship during booking. |
| Menorca Lines | Pets travel free | Applies to Alcúdia-Ciutadella; carry the microchip details, rabies vaccination record and pet passport. |
The table is not a guarantee for every sailing. If the pet cabin you want doesn't appear during booking, it may be fully booked or not available on that ship. From Toulon and Sète, only Corsica Ferries sails; the guide Ferry from France to Mallorca shows how the two ports differ.
Don't plan around your vehicle
With Baleària, the vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing. Other operators also restrict or exclude access to your car. So only plan your trip with confirmed pet accommodation, not an improvised stay in your car or motorhome.
On a short day sailing, a pet-friendly seat or kennel may work; on an overnight crossing, a pet cabin is often the calmer option. What matters is your pet's temperament, the length of the journey and the rules of the ship operating the sailing.
How to book correctly
First pick a sailing in the timetable and add your dog or cat directly when booking your ticket. Then choose the accommodation shown. Afterwards, check that your pet appears on every leg, especially on Palma-Formentera via Ibiza. Keep the pet boarding pass in your hand luggage together with your travel documents. Starting prices by route are on the Prices page.
If you're travelling by car, allow for the longer vehicle check-in. The full deadlines and vehicle dimensions are in the car guide; for campers, the motorhome guide covers the vehicle topics.
What to pack in your hand luggage
Bring the pet passport, boarding pass, lead, muzzle and a suitable carrier. Add water, a bowl, food, poo bags, a familiar blanket and any medication your pet needs. As you can't go back to the vehicle during the crossing, pack everything for the whole journey in a separate bag.
Get your pet used to the carrier or muzzle before the trip. Don't give a large meal just before departure, and talk to your vet in advance about travel sickness or calming remedies.
Dogs on the ferry FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The key answers, separating the law from operator rules.
Can my dog come on the ferry to Mallorca? +
Yes. Baleària, GNV, Trasmed, Corsica Ferries and Menorca Lines all take pets. Book your pet together with your ticket; the option and available places depend on the ship operating the sailing.
How much does it cost to take a dog on the ferry? +
That depends on the operator and the accommodation. With Menorca Lines, pets travel free; with the other operators, the booking shows the pet price for your sailing. The Prices page compares starting prices by route.
Where does my dog stay during the crossing? +
It's not the same with every operator. Options include a pet cabin, pet-friendly seat, kennel or designated areas. Choose the accommodation when you book 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 is closed during the crossing, and other operators restrict access too. Book a confirmed pet option instead. Preparing your vehicle is covered under Taking a car to Mallorca.
Does my dog have to wear a muzzle? +
The on-board 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 restless. Bring both, even if the muzzle doesn't have to be worn all the time on your sailing.
Which documents does my pet need? +
For travel within the EU, you need the EU pet passport, identification and a valid rabies vaccination. After the first valid vaccination there is a 21-day waiting period. Your pet also needs a booking or boarding pass from the operator.
Does my dog need tapeworm treatment for Spain? +
No. The EU only requires this treatment for certain destination countries, and 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 is still a separate booking and can't be replaced by staying in the camper. Vehicle dimensions, gas bottles and on-board power are explained in Motorhome on the ferry.
Check a sailing with your dog
Choose your route and date in the timetable. You add your pet's place in the booking, where you'll see what's available.