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Quick answer: Spain’s positive list of companion animals has not yet been approved. The government put the draft royal decree out to public consultation on 17 April 2026 and notified it to the European Commission on 10 July; the European review period ended on 13 October 2026. Reports and the opinion of the Council of State are still outstanding. Dogs, cats and ferrets are not affected: the list mainly targets wild and exotic species.
Law 7/2023 provides that, in Spain, only species included on an official list may be kept as pets. It is one of the most awaited, and most debated, parts of the law, because it affects people who live with birds, reptiles, small mammals or fish.
What the draft royal decree covers
The text, prepared by the Directorate-General for Animal Rights, does not yet contain the list of species. Instead, it sets the rules for drawing it up:
- It creates two lists: the Positive List of Companion Animals, for species of wild origin, and the List of Domestic Companion Species, for domesticated species.
- Dogs, cats and ferrets are excluded from both, because the law already regulates them directly.
- It sets the criteria for including or excluding species, based on the opinion of a scientific and technical committee made up of several ministries.
- The lists will then be approved by ministerial order, and the first positive list will come into force six months after publication.
According to the Ministry, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Croatia, Norway, Lithuania and Malta already have lists of this kind, while France, Finland and Slovenia are preparing them.
What happens if you already keep an unlisted species
The draft lets you keep animals already living with you, provided you apply. Under Article 13:
- You will have a maximum of six months after the list comes into force to apply to your autonomous community for authorisation.
- You will need to prove prior ownership with an invoice, a contract, veterinary records or another official document.
- You will need a veterinary certificate on the keeping conditions and the measures taken to prevent breeding.
- The authorisation will only cover the animals you have at that time: it will not allow breeding, transfer or sale.
If the authorities do not reply within six months, the draft treats the application as refused, so it is best to submit it with all the paperwork in order.
When it could be approved
The notification to Brussels (number 2026/0351/ES) opened a standstill period that ended on 13 October 2026. According to Libertad Digital, reports and the Council of State’s opinion are still needed before the text goes to the Council of Ministers, and a formal objection from the Commission or another Member State could extend the wait until January 2027. With the general election on 29 November, the timetable is uncertain.
Tips for owners of birds, reptiles and other species
- Gather the purchase invoice, transfer contract or veterinary records for each animal now.
- If the species must be identified, check that it is on your regional register.
- Before acquiring an exotic species, wait for the final list and ask a specialist vet for advice.
See more parrot food, parakeet food and fish tanks.
Frequently asked questions
Does the positive list affect my dog or cat?
No. The draft excludes dogs, cats and ferrets, which are already regulated directly by Law 7/2023.
Is any species already banned under the positive list?
Not yet, because the list has not been approved. Other rules still apply, however, such as the catalogue of invasive alien species, which already restricts keeping certain species.
Will I have to give up my animal if its species is not listed?
Under the draft, you will be able to keep it if you apply for authorisation in time and meet the requirements. Only those who are not granted it would have to hand it over to the authorities.
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. The text analysed is a draft and may change before it is approved.
Keep reading
- Travelling with birds, rabbits or other pets: requirements by species
- Dog and cat paperwork: what you need and how to keep it
- Adopting a dog or cat: key questions and what to prepare
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