Last Update: November 2024
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Pet Insurance in Spain

Learn about the legal requirements for third party insurance (responsabilidad civil) and check your options for health insurance for your pet. 

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Pet Insurance: Responsibilities & Options

You should know that in Madrid, third party liability insurance (responsabilidad civil) is compulsory for all dogs. In the rest of Spain, this is also due to become enacted in law soon. For the moment though, everywhere outside Madrid only requires third party insurance for dogs considered as potentially dangerous. These dog breeds are: Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileño, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu. As well as requiring third party insurance, these dogs must be muzzled and leashed in public. 

Although it is a good idea to have third party insurance for your dog no matter what breed it is (in case it hurts a child, an adult, or another animal, or runs into the road and causes an accident), it is not yet compulsory for dogs that are not from breeds considered as potentially dangerous. So, for other dogs (and for cats & other animals) you may want to focus on health insurance.

Pet Insurance Spain: Third Party Liability (Responsabilidad Civil)

Third party liability insurance generally covers you if you are found responsible for harm that your pet has done to other people, other animals, or property. If you have a dog which is from a dangerous breed, it is obligatory to have this kind of insurance in Spain. It will soon be obligatory for all other breeds too. 

Pet Insurance Spain: Health Insurance

Health insurance for your pet will generally cover annual check ups, and perhaps some recommended injections too. Depending on the company and the policy, it may also cover some illnesses and operations, or may cover a percentage of these. Typically, pets over a certain age may be impossible or difficult to insure, and pre-existing illnesses or conditions will not be covered at all. All the same, for most pets, taking out an annual pet insurance can save you significant sums in vet bills. 

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