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Dog insurance in Spain 2026: what is compulsory and what is pending

Photo: Unsplash (free licence).

Quick answer: Spain’s Animal Welfare Act 7/2023 states that all dog owners must have third-party liability insurance, regardless of breed. However, the minimum cover and the penalty regime depend on a regulation that, at the end of October 2026, has still not been approved. For potentially dangerous dogs (PPP), insurance has been compulsory for years. The same applies to the course for dog owners: it is planned, but has no date.

“Compulsory dog insurance” is once again one of the most searched questions in Spain. In mid-October 2026, several media outlets pointed out that the obligation has been in the law since it came into force on 29 September 2023, while its practical application remains up in the air. Here we set out what is clear and what is not yet.

What the Animal Welfare Act says about insurance

Article 30.3 of Act 7/2023 states that a dog’s keeper must take out and maintain third-party liability insurance, and leaves the amount to be set by regulation. In September 2023, the Spanish insurance supervisor and the Directorate-General for Animal Rights issued a note clarifying that the insurance would not be compulsory until that regulation was in place, unless regional or local rules already require it.

The draft royal decree circulated in June 2025 proposed minimum cover of €100,000, but it has not been approved. In the meantime, according to information published in October 2026, the penalty regime for owners in general remains on hold.

Potentially dangerous dogs and local rules

For PPP dogs the situation is different: Act 50/1999 requires an administrative licence that includes liability insurance, and Royal Decree 287/2002 sets minimum cover of €120,000. In addition, some regions and town councils have their own requirements, so it is worth checking your local by-laws.

How many owners are insured and what about the course

A Censuswide survey for Guidewire, published in May 2026 with more than 4,000 participants in Spain, France, Germany and the UK, found that only 49.6% of Spanish respondents with a pet have it insured. Among policyholders, 64% are satisfied, and 45% feel their insurer does not clearly explain price increases.

As for the compulsory course for dog owners, there is no date either: it depends on another decree that is still in draft. According to the known drafts, it would be a free online course of around four hours with lifelong validity. Until it is published in Spain’s Official State Gazette, nobody can be penalised for not having taken it.

What we recommend you do now

  • Check your home insurance: some policies cover damage caused by your dog if it is expressly declared. Ask for written confirmation.
  • If you have no cover, consider taking it out: even if penalties cannot yet be applied across the board, the law already states that you are liable for any damage your dog causes.
  • Check your local by-laws and, if your dog is PPP, make sure the licence and insurance are valid.
  • Walk with the right kit: a sturdy lead, a well-fitted harness and, where required, a muzzle.

See more dog muzzles, collars and harnesses and dog leads.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be fined today if my dog is not insured?

Generally speaking, the penalty regime for this obligation is waiting for the regulation. However, penalties may apply if you have a PPP dog or if your region or town council requires the insurance.

Does my home insurance count?

It may, if the policy expressly includes liability cover for the animal in your name. Check the terms and the cover limits.

Does liability insurance cover vet bills?

No. Liability insurance covers damage to third parties; your dog’s vet bills require separate pet health insurance.

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Sources

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