If you moved to Spain with a dog or cat in the suitcase — or you are planning to — the rules around pet ownership have shifted considerably over the past two years. Ley 7/2023 de Bienestar Animal, Spain’s national animal welfare law, has changed what owners are expected to do, what they may be fined for, and, in some cases, what cover they are legally required to hold. Here is where things stand in 2026 and what British expats should think about before signing a pet insurance policy.
The legal backdrop: Ley 7/2023
The animal welfare law that came into force in late 2023 introduced a national framework for responsible pet ownership. The headline change for owners was the proposal that all dog owners carry third-party liability insurance — responsabilidad civil — covering damage their animal might cause to people or property. Implementation has been uneven across the autonomous communities, and a Constitutional Court ruling in 2024 trimmed parts of the original text, but the direction of travel is clear: if your dog bites someone, knocks over a cyclist or chews through a neighbour’s garden hose, you are expected to have cover in place.
In several regions, town halls now ask to see a valid liability policy when you register your dog on the municipal pet census. Whether or not your specific municipality enforces this today, it is sensible to assume it will at some point.
Perros potencialmente peligrosos (PPP)
Separately, and predating the 2023 law, Spain has long required owners of perros potencialmente peligrosos — potentially dangerous breeds — to hold a specific licence and a third-party liability policy with a minimum cover figure (commonly set at around €120,000, though regional rules vary). The list typically includes Rottweilers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshires, Dogo Argentinos and several others, as well as any dog whose physical characteristics meet the criteria.
If you brought a PPP-listed breed from the UK, you cannot rely on the standard home insurance liability clause. You will need a dedicated PPP policy, a PPP licence from your town hall, and to walk the dog muzzled and on a short lead in public spaces.
Vet costs and optional sickness or accident cover
Routine veterinary care in Spain is generally cheaper than in the UK, but specialist treatment — orthopaedic surgery, oncology, long-term medication for chronic conditions — can run into thousands of euros. Spain does not have an equivalent of the NHS for animals, and there is no public subsidy for vet bills.
Sickness and accident cover for pets is optional in Spain and remains less developed than the UK market. Policies that do exist tend to cover:
- Emergency consultations and surgery after an accident
- Hospitalisation and diagnostic imaging
- A capped annual allowance for illness treatment
- Euthanasia and cremation where medically necessary
Common exclusions are pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions disclosed at the vet at registration, dental work beyond emergency extraction, cosmetic procedures and, for older animals, anything beyond a stated age limit (often 8 or 9 at first enrolment).
Cat owners: what changes for you
The third-party liability requirement under Ley 7/2023 applies primarily to dogs, and cats are not on the PPP framework at all. However, cats must still be microchipped, registered on the municipal census in many regions, and — if they go outside — sterilised by the relevant deadline. Liability cover is not legally mandated, but if your cat spends time in a shared garden or on a communal terrace, a small extension to your home insurance can be worth checking.
Bringing a pet from the UK
Post-Brexit, the EU Pet Passport is no longer issued in the UK. To move a dog, cat or ferret from the UK to Spain you will need:
- An ISO-compliant microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination
- A valid rabies vaccination, with a 21-day waiting period before travel for a first vaccination
- An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official UK vet within 10 days of travel, valid for entry to the EU and onward travel within the EU for four months
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs only if transiting through certain countries — not required for direct UK–Spain entry
Once in Spain, register your pet with a local vet, who can issue an EU pet passport for future travel within the bloc.
What to do next
If you are a dog owner, the priority is checking whether your current home or contents policy already includes pet liability cover, and whether the limit is high enough for your region. If it does not, a standalone responsabilidad civil policy is usually inexpensive. Sickness and accident cover is a separate decision driven by the age and breed of your animal and your appetite for unexpected vet bills.
Information correct at time of writing, June 2026. Pet insurance and liability requirements vary by autonomous community and by municipality. This article is general guidance and not a substitute for advice tailored to your circumstances. 247 Expat Insurance arranges health, home, life and travel insurance for expats in Spain.