In Spain, guide dogs have free access to all public buildings and may travel unrestricted on all public transport.
From Europe: Guide dogs for the blind entering Spain must adhere to the same requirements as other domestic pets. The European Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport) allows for qualifying domestic animals (dogs, cats and ferrets) to freely cross borders in Europe.  
Outside the European Com: A "Veterinary Certificate for Domestic Dogs, entering the European Community for Non-commercial Movements " (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003) must be shown.
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) provides for qualifying domestic pets to travel to and from the UK without undergoing quarantine.
The dog should be registered and licensed with the ONCE (Spanish National Organization of the Blind) which is not very convenient for short stays: in this case, make sure that you travel with your dog's  original training certificates.
The UK based Guide Dogs for the Blind association has a set of guidelines for those travelling with assistance of guide dogs.

Air Travel. 

Almost all Spanish airlines are accepting guide dogs travelling in the passenger cabin when accompanying blind passengers: the problem arises when flying to/from UK. The following airlines fly from London (Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted, check for other cities of origin) to several Spanish airports and are accepting guide dogs in the passenger cabin. Remember that giving the airline notice in advance is a must as many companies would carry just one/two dogs per flight due to their own procedures and regulations.
Iberia (www.iberia.com) is admitting guide dogs to the cabin when accompanying passengers who depend on them for their orientation (deaf passengers will require a medical certificate attesting to their condition.) Guide dogs must wear a muzzle if travelling in the cabin, they may not occupy a seat and must travel alongside the passenger, in the place where they will cause least disturbance. They may travel without extra charge, whether in the hold or in the cabin. The weight of the animal will not count towards the allowance permitted for passengers' journeys.
The regulations as regards admittance, documentation, form of indemnity exempting Iberia from liability and the type of container used (if travelling in the hold) will be the same as apply to all other pets.

Air Europa (www.air-europa.com) states at their website that:
"A blind person can travel alone if they are accompanied by a guide dog, which remains with them in the cabin during the flight even when it exceeds the 6 kilo weight limit. Said dog must travel with a muzzle and record of all vaccinations."

Air Berlin ( www.airberlin.com ) sates that: "The Airline is only permitted to carry two (2) visually impaired passengers with one guide dog each in the cabin. The passenger's entitlement to carriage of the guide dog only applies if the Airline was notified of and confirmed such intended carriage on booking. Guide dogs are carried free of charge. "
Usually the dog must wear a muzzle, collar and lead. If the dog is to travel in the cabin, it will be placed next to the passenger in a place indicated by the crew: guide dogs must observe a number of safety regulations, for example, they must not obstruct aisles, as this is deemed a hazard in an emergency situation.
As airline regulations are subject to change, it is highly advisable to check well in advance.

Some useful tips.
Always check with the airline in advance to see what documentation is required. Contact the Spanish Embassy/Consulate in your country.

Notify travel agents when a dog is to travel in the cabin area; provide the dog's size and weight. The agents can then relay this information to the airlines in order to determine the most appropriate seating on the scheduled aircraft.
Mind that if the rabies vaccination was the animal's first vaccine then it must wait for 21 days before entering the country. There is no time delay with booster injections, providing there is proof that the booster was administered before the last vaccine had expired. Any animal entering the Spanish territory must be over three months old.

ONCE
Spanish National Org of the Blind
soi@once.es
www.once.es

European Commission-Animal Health-
Rules that apply to movement of dogs
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/index_en.htm

 

Rebecca Arce