Spain's animal welfare law: what applies today and what the law leaves to a regulation
By Chief of Sniff · Updated on October 22, 2026
Spain's animal welfare law, Ley 7/2023, has been in force since 29 September 2023, and most of its duties for pet owners apply today. Two headline rules leave their details to a regulation: the compulsory dog owner course and the minimum amount of the compulsory dog liability insurance. Check how they apply where you live.
The law sets a common minimum for the whole of Spain. Regions and town halls add their own rules on top, so what you do in Barcelona is not always what you do in Madrid.
What already applies to you
These duties come straight from the law text (BOE, Ley 7/2023):
- Identification. Your pet must be permanently identified, and you must report a lost or stolen animal to the authorities within 48 hours (art. 24.2).
- Dogs: 24 hours alone at most. Any other pet can be left unsupervised for up to three consecutive days, but a dog cannot be left for more than 24 consecutive hours (art. 27.i).
- No unsupervised tying up. You cannot leave a pet tied up or wandering in a public place without you present, for example outside a shop (art. 27.d).
- Not on a balcony or in a storage room. Habitually keeping dogs or cats on terraces, balconies, roofs, storerooms, basements or patios is banned (art. 27.e).
- No shock, choke or prong collars (art. 27.ñ). Training must not cause suffering, anxiety or fear (art. 24.2.b).
- No cosmetic mutilations. Ear and tail cropping are banned; surgery is only allowed on veterinary grounds (art. 27.b).
- Cats. Cats must be microchipped and surgically neutered before six months of age, unless they are registered breeding animals (art. 26.i).
- Cleaning up. You must stop your pet fouling doorways and shopfronts and clean up with biodegradable products (art. 26.e).
- Pet shops. Dogs, cats and ferrets cannot be sold in pet shops, only by registered breeders (art. 27.l).
- Dogs left in cars. You cannot leave an animal in a closed vehicle exposed to heat or other life-threatening conditions (art. 24.2.d).
Microchip identification is compulsory and is recorded in your region's pet registry. Barcelona's city council confirms it for dogs, cats and ferrets (Barcelona City Council), and the law requires every pet to be permanently identified (art. 24.2.f).
What the law leaves to a regulation
| Rule | What the law says | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dog owner course | People who opt to own a dog must prove they have done a free course, valid for life (art. 30.1-2) | Content and procedure are set by a regulation. |
| Liability insurance | Every dog owner must hold civil liability insurance for the dog's whole life (art. 30.3) | The minimum amount is set by a regulation. |
| Vet check-up frequency | Owners must provide a vet check-up at an interval set by regulation (art. 24.2.e) | The interval is set by a regulation. |
| Training for other species | Owners must complete training set for each species (art. 26.h) | Depends on regulation. |
Dogs classed as potentially dangerous
The 2023 law did not replace the older rules for potentially dangerous dogs (PPP). They still need a municipal licence and their own insurance, with a national minimum cover of €120,000 (Real Decreto 287/2002, art. 3). Some municipalities ask for more: Barcelona's city council page says €150,253.
Fines
Breaking these rules can lead to fines. Regions and town halls impose them, and the amount depends on the offence and on local rules.
A quick checklist for expat owners
- Microchip in place and registered in your region and municipality.
- Never leave a dog alone for more than 24 hours.
- Check whether your home insurance covers damage caused by your dog. Contracts differ.
- Keep your pet's vaccination and vet records together.
- Check your town hall's bylaw for leash rules and dog areas.
How Chief of Sniff helps
Chief does not give legal advice, but it takes care of the bits of the law that are about remembering. Send a photo of your pet's vaccination card and Chief turns it into reminders. Ask it to remind you about your annual vet visit or your insurance renewal, and it will. When you need an appointment, Chief books it in Spanish while you keep talking to it in your own language.
FAQ
Is dog insurance mandatory in Spain? The law says so (art. 30.3) and leaves the minimum cover to a regulation. Potentially dangerous dogs already needed their own insurance.
Do I need a course to own a dog in Spain? The law requires an accredited course for people who opt to own a dog, and leaves its content and procedure to a regulation. Check with your region how it applies to you.
Can I leave my dog alone for a weekend? Not for a whole weekend. The limit for dogs is 24 consecutive hours without supervision.
Do cats have to be microchipped and neutered? Yes, before six months of age, unless they are registered breeding animals.
Are shock collars illegal in Spain? Yes. The law bans electric, impulse, punishment and choke collars.
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. For your own case, check with your regional or local authority, or ask a lawyer.
