Pet Insurance in Spain for Expats: The Dog Law & What's Covered

Dog liability is now compulsory in Spain

Since the Animal Welfare Law (Ley 7/2023), every dog owner in Spain must hold third-party civil liability insurance. It's actively enforced by the Guardia Civil and local police, and fines for an uninsured dog can reach €10,000. The most common claims aren't dramatic attacks — they're everyday accidents: a dog bolting on a busy promenade and tripping a cyclist, a fence pushed into a neighbour's garden, a nip at a visitor.

Note: your home insurance family-liability section may cover some dog incidents, but it does not satisfy the Ley 7/2023 requirement on its own — you need dedicated dog liability cover, which a pet policy provides.

What a pet policy covers beyond the law

Liability is the legal baseline; a full pet policy adds the cover most owners actually want:

• Civil liability (the mandatory part) — typically up to €300,000
• Vet fees for accident and illness, up to an annual limit
• Lost-pet location assistance and a 24-hour vet helpline
• Optional add-ons: dental, behavioural therapy, physiotherapy, and death-by-illness compensation

Premiums on the Generali ON Mascotas product are banded by weight — small (up to ~9kg, including cats), medium (9–15kg) and large (over 15kg).

Potentially Dangerous Dogs (PPP) — extra rules

Eight breeds are classed as Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Dobermann, American Staffordshire Terrier, Akita Inu, Tosa Inu, Bull Terrier and Brazilian Mastiff). PPP owners must hold a higher minimum civil liability (commonly €120,000), plus a special licence from the local Ayuntamiento, and follow muzzle and lead rules in public. We won't issue a PPP policy without sight of that licence, since cover is void without it.

Microchips, registration and cats

A microchip and registration are compulsory for dogs in Spain, and some regions require an owner's course. Cats can be added to a pet policy too (cover is mainly vet fees and assistance rather than liability). Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded, and routine/preventive treatments (vaccinations, worming) usually aren't covered unless you add a wellness extension.

Get your pet covered, in English

As authorised Generali agents in Jávea, we arrange Ley 7/2023-compliant dog liability, full pet cover with vet fees, PPP policies (with licence) and cat cover — with English-speaking support. For a free, no-obligation quote, see our pet insurance page, contact us, or call 966 461 625.

Frequently asked questions

Is pet insurance compulsory in Spain?

Dog third-party liability insurance is compulsory under Ley 7/2023, and it's enforced — fines for an uninsured dog can reach €10,000. Wider pet cover (vet fees etc.) is optional but recommended.

What extra do "dangerous" breeds (PPP) need?

The eight PPP breeds need a higher minimum civil liability (commonly €120,000), a special licence from the local Ayuntamiento, and muzzle/lead compliance in public. Cover is void without the licence.

How much vet-fee cover do I need?

It depends on your pet, but accident-and-illness cover with a sensible annual limit is the core of a good policy. We'll match the limit and excess to your pet's age and breed.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

Generally no — pre-existing conditions are usually excluded. It's best to insure a pet while it's young and healthy.

Do I need a microchip and registration?

Yes — microchipping and registration are compulsory for dogs in Spain, and some regions require an owner's course. These are separate from the insurance requirement.

Can I add my cat to the policy?

Yes. Cats can be added, with cover focused on vet fees and assistance rather than the (dog-specific) liability requirement.

Sources & references

• Ley 7/2023 de protección de los derechos y el bienestar de los animales (BOE) — the Animal Welfare Law.
• Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGSFP) — the Spanish insurance regulator.

This guide is general information, not personalised advice. Cover, limits, breed rules and regional requirements vary and change. For advice on your situation, contact Turner Insurance.