Mandatory dog insurance in 2026: what the law says and what you need to do

The Animal Welfare Law has generated a lot of noise—and a lot of confusion—about whether owning a dog now requires taking out insurance. Contradictory headlines, never-arriving dates, and frightening fines. Let's bring some order: what is mandatory today, what is pending, and what you should do even if the law doesn't yet require it.

1. Is dog insurance mandatory in 2026?

The short answer is: it depends on who you are and where you live.

Law 7/2023, of March 28, on the protection of animal rights and welfare came into force on September 29, 2023. Its text establishes that the owner of a dog must take out and maintain, throughout the animal's life, civil liability insurance for damages to third parties. This is the first time that a state regulation extends this obligation to all dogs, without distinguishing by breed.

The problem lies in a key phrase in the legal text itself: the minimum amount of insurance "will be established by regulation." That is, the law delegates the details—minimum coverage, procedure, how it is accredited—to a regulation that must be published separately. And that regulation, almost three years later, is still pending.

The draft Royal Decree was put out for public comment in mid-2025 and received hundreds of allegations that the Administration is still reviewing. There is no official approval date.

Beware of alarmist headlines. Several media outlets have published that insurance "now obliges all owners." The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has had to clarify several times that, as long as there is no regulation, the general obligation is not fully effective for non-PPP dogs. It's better to get information from official sources than to be carried away by the noise.

2. What does it cover and how much does it cost?

The insurance contemplated by the law is civil liability: it covers material damages or injuries that your dog may cause to a third party. The classic example: your dog gets scared in the park, runs off and makes a cyclist fall, fracturing a wrist. Without insurance, you pay that compensation out of your own pocket.

• Proposed minimum coverage:the draft regulation proposed a figure of around €100,000, but ithas not been officially approved. Take it as a guide.
• Price:specific dog insurance costs around€40-80 per yearfor coverage between €100,000 and €300,000. It is one of the cheapest policies available.
• Validity:it must remain in force throughout the animal's life.

3. Is home insurance valid for me?

Many people are already covered without knowing it: a good part of home insurance policies include civil liability coverage that extends to pets. If your dog bites a neighbor or causes damage outside the home, that civil liability can respond.

But there are important nuances:

• Home insurance coverage is usuallylower(often between €20,000 and €50,000).
• Some policiesexcludecertain breeds or dogs of a certain size.
• Damage within your own home is normallynotcovered.

If the final regulation ends up requiring coverage of €100,000 or more, it is possible that your home insurance will fall short and you will have to extend it or take out a specific policy. Review your current policy before taking out anything new: you may already have half the obligation covered.

4. Is my Toy Poodle or Miniature Schnauzer "potentially dangerous"?

No. And it's important to clarify this because it generates doubts.

The breeds classified as potentially dangerous (PPP) in Spain are a specific group: Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu, as well as dogs that meet certain physical characteristics. Their owners have specific obligations: an administrative license, mandatory insurance for years, muzzle and short leash in public.

Neither the Toy Poodle nor the Miniature Schnauzer fall into that category. They are small, companion dogs, with no added obligations based on their type. The general regulations (microchip, identification, and future insurance for all) apply to them just like any other dog, no more, no less.

5. Other Legal Obligations of Dog Ownership

Insurance grabs headlines, but Law 7/2023 brings more obligations that are worth knowing about:

Microchip Identification

Mandatory for all dogs and registered in the owner's name. This is the foundation of everything: without a registered microchip, the rest of the procedures cannot proceed. At Deterrajaras, all our puppies leave with a microchip implanted and registered before delivery.

Training Course for Ownership (pending)

The law provides for a free, indefinitely valid course for future dog owners. The good news: as of today, it does not yet exist because it depends—again—on regulatory development and an official platform that is not yet available. Don't worry about it for now, but keep it on your radar.

Prohibition of Sale in Stores and Online

The law prohibits the sale of dogs in pet stores and restricts online sales to private individuals. Puppies can only be acquired through registered breeders as a Zoological Nucleus. This is important for you as a buyer: if someone offers you a puppy through social media without documentation or facilities to visit, they are operating outside the law.

Not Leaving the Dog Alone for More Than a Certain Time

The rule establishes that dogs cannot be left alone for more than 24 consecutive hours (and other companion animals, longer depending on the species). It is one of the most commented welfare measures.

6. What documentation a legal breeder must provide you with

This is where a responsible breeder differs from an improvised seller. When you buy a puppy, it must come with all this documentation:

• Microchip implanted and registeredin your name.
• Health cardsealed by a registered veterinarian, with up-to-date vaccinations and deworming.
• Written purchase agreement.
• Invoicefrom the breeder.
• Details of the registeredZoological Nucleusof origin.
• If applicable,pedigree (LOE)and parents' details.

At Deterrajaras we are a registered Zoological Nucleus in Cáceres and each puppy leaves our home with all the documentation required by Law 7/2023. You can read more about how to choose a breeder and buy a puppy with guarantees in our guide.

7. Fines and sanctions: how much non-compliance can cost you

The sanctioning regime of Law 7/2023 is serious. Infractions are classified as minor, serious, and very serious, and the highest amounts—which can reach figures of up to €200,000 in the most extreme cases such as serious mistreatment or abandonment—are reserved for very serious infractions, not for an administrative oversight.

For an ordinary owner, the most common non-compliances (not having identification up to date, or not having insurance once it is required) fall within the range of minor and serious infractions, with fines that can range from a few hundreds to several thousands of euros depending on the autonomous community. The exact detail varies by territory, so it is advisable to consult the regulations of your community.

8. Checklist: everything you need to keep your dog compliant

• Microchip implanted and registered in your name.
• Health card with up-to-date vaccinations and deworming.
• Civil liability insurance: mandatory if it's a PPP or you live in an autonomous community that requires it; highly recommended for all others.
• Check if your home insurance already includes civil liability for pets and with what coverage.
• Complete purchase documentation (contract, invoice, Zoological Nucleus details).
• Training course: pending regulation, not yet mandatory.
• Mandatory insurance for all dogs: pending regulation at national level.
  
  
  This article is for informational purposes only and reflects the situation as of June 2026. Regulations may change and vary depending on the autonomous community. It does not constitute legal advice; for your specific case, consult official sources or a professional.