Pet insurance in Spain
If you own a dog or a cat in Spain, there are rules you need to follow and fines if you don’t.
Since 2023, civil liability insurance is mandatory for all dog owners.
And every pet must have a yearly health check and be up to date on vaccinations, depending on local regulations.
No insurance? No vet record? Then you’re officially non-compliant, even if your pet never leaves the house. Contact us today for free advice.
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What’s mandatory and what’s optional?
Mandatory for dog owners:
By law, all dog owners in Spain must have civil liability insurance.
This covers any damage your dog causes to others. Whether it’s a bite, a fall, or damage to property. It doesn’t matter if your dog is large, small, quiet or nervous. If you don’t have liability cover and something happens, you pay, fully and personally.
Optional but useful:
In addition to liability, some owners choose to insure medical costs, especially for:
- Expensive breeds
- Older animals
- Frequent health issues
- Unexpected surgeries or accidents
This type of cover is not required by law, but it can save thousands in vet bills, especially in emergencies. We’ll explain the difference and tell you exactly what’s needed for your pet and situation.
Pet insurance FAQ
Only for dogs.
Since 2023, all dog owners in Spain are legally required to have civil liability insurance.
This covers physical or material damage your dog causes to others.
For cats and other animals, insurance is not mandatory, but still advisable.
It covers damage your dog causes to third parties.
For example:Biting someone
Causing an accident
Damaging someone’s property
It does not cover vet costs, illness, or injuries to your own pet.
Usually not.
Vaccinations and yearly health checks are legally required, but most basic pet insurance policies don’t include them.
Some insurers offer optional medical cover that reimburses part of vet visits or vaccinations — ask us if that’s relevant for you.
Yes.
Under the Ley de Bienestar Animal, dogs and cats must have at least one annual health check by a licensed vet.
There must be a medical record, especially if the pet is not sterilised or registered in a public database.
Yes. You can choose to insure cats for:
Indoor damage (if renting)
Vet expenses
Accidents or chronic conditions
Some insurers allow you to add multiple animals to one policy.
Others require separate contracts.
We’ll advise you based on the number of animals and what you want to cover.
Only if you choose medical coverage. Not all insurers offer this.
Most standard (liability-only) pet insurance does not cover vet bills, surgeries, medication or hospital stays.
Let us know what you want covered — we’ll show you what’s possible.
No.
Microchipping is legally required in Spain for dogs and cats, but it’s not part of any insurance policy.
You’ll need to do this through a vet.
In most cases: yes.
But you’ll need to provide your NIE, your dog’s microchip number, and sometimes a health certificate.
We’ll guide you through what’s needed, based on your situation.
Sometimes. While Spain no longer uses the “dangerous breed” list, some insurers still consider breed, size and past incidents when calculating the premium.
We’ll compare policies for you and check what applies.
For liability insurance: usually no waiting period.
For medical cover (if selected): often 15 to 30 days, or longer for specific conditions.
We’ll tell you upfront what applies.
We work with leading insurers in Spain: Mapfre, Allianz, Zurich en Asisa.
We choose based on what’s best for your property and risk profile, not based on commission.
You contact us — not a call centre.
We help you report the claim, deal with the insurer, and make sure the process runs smoothly.
Only the best is good enough
Allianz
Strong international coverage
Allianz is one of Europe’s largest insurers with over 100 million clients worldwide. Why people choose Allianz:
- Access to top private hospitals
- Coverage often includes dental, physio and mental health without add-ons
- English-language app and customer service, ideal for non-Spanish speakers
Zurich
Solid cover in and outside of Spain
Zurich offers straightforward policies with clear benefits and no fine-print confusion. Why people choose Zurich:
- Easy to choose between standard and premium cover levels
- Well-rated service and simple claims process
- Popular with families and long-term residents looking for clarity and structure
Mapfre
Spain’s largest homegrown insurer
Mapfre is Spain’s largest insurance company, with a massive medical network. Why people choose Mapfre:
- Wide national coverage, also in smaller towns
- Flexible reimbursement options (you choose the doctor, they reimburse up to 90%)
- Trusted by locals and expats alike
- Stable, reliable, efficient
Asisa
Spain’s largest private medical network
Asisa was founded by doctors and now runs Spain’s biggest network of clinics and hospitals. Why people choose Asisa:
- Access to 40,000+ doctors and 1,000+ clinics and hospitals
- 24/7 English-speaking helpline and telemedicine options
- “Hospital at home” care available in many areas
