Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA) is a state-owned company managing general interest airports and heliports in Spain. The AENA Website contains useful information on what you need to consider.

It is always recommended to consult with your Airline and Vet. They will have the latest guidance on regulations and requirements (including vaccinations) for the transport of pets and animals.

Yes, in Spain, you are required to register certain animals. The laws are regulated by the Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas), which impose a variety of rules and regulations within the country. Each town and region have their own animal regulations and license application procedures. Contact your local town hall.

For instance, in Andalucía, all dog, cat, and ferret owners are required to register their animals on the Animal Identification Registry of Andalucía (Registro Andaluz de Identificación Animal, RAIA). Owners have three months to register their pets, except for those with a potentially dangerous breed of dog who have one month to obtain the necessary license.

To register your pet in Spain, you will need your NIE and passport, your current address in Spain, at least one Spanish telephone number, and the already implanted microchip number or your animal to implant a new microchip.

Useful Links

• Visit the Todos Los Ayuntamientos Website and type your location into the search bar to find contact information and the website for the town hall.

Yes, in Spain, it is required to have insurance for certain animals. The new animal welfare law, which came into force on 29 September 2023, establishes that all types of dogs must have liability insurance. This insurance is only for third-party liability and not for full pet healthcare. The minimum liability insurance for a dog should can vary by region and it's always a good idea to check the specific requirements in your local area. Check if your Spanish home insurance provides animal liability cover, or you can take out a dedicated pet policy. 

In Spain, there are approximately 6000 veterinary clinics, many providing 24-hour emergency care. You can use Protecta pets Vet locater, which has easy-to-use icons to assist you with finding the right vet.

Veterinary medicine in Spain is regulated by the Ministerio de Agricultura Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. The veterinary profession in Spain is governed by the Consejo Generalde Colegios de Veterinarios de España (CGCVE).

Please note that it's important to ensure that any vet you choose is registered and qualified. You can usually verify this information through local veterinary regulatory bodies or associations.

Useful Links

• PROTECTAPET | Vets In Spain. https://www.protectapet.eu/vets-in-spain.
• EBVS. https://www.ebvs.eu/countries/spain
  
  

Did you know a new animal welfare law in Spain came into force on 29th September 2023.Law 7/2023, of 28 March, on the protection of animal rights and welfare. It is recognises pets as "living, sentient beings".

Here are a few key points however there are many changes. Animal abuse is punished with a prison sentence of between 12-36 months, and there are fines ranging from €500 to €200,000 euros depending on the seriousness of the infringement.

According to the Ministry of Social Rights the objective is "to fight against the mistreatment, abandonment, and slaughter of animals,". A summary of the key points from the law have been shared below, there is a detailed EuroNews article which is recommended reading.

• Permitted Domestic Animals: Most domestic animals may continue to be pets, such as dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, parakeets, and canaries.
• ProhibitedPets: On the other hand, dangerous or poisonous animals, wild mammals over five kilograms and reptiles (except turtles) over two kilograms (such as snakes or iguanas) may not be kept in homes. The maximum number of pets allowed is five.
• Purchase of animals: The commercialisation of animals in pet stores is also prohibited. It will now no longer be possible to sell cats, dogs or ferrets. These animals can now only be acquired under the age of four months directly from their birth breeding nucleus or through adoption from registered animal protection entities. The direct sale of any type of pet through the internet, web portals or any telematic means or application is prohibited.
  
• Dog Owners Training Course: Dog owners must do a free online training course, and dogs must have liability insurance (not health insurance), check if your home insurance covers this
  
• Unattended Pets: Don´t leave a pet unattended for more than three consecutive days, reduced to 24 hours in case of a dog.Prohibited to leave animals alone inside closed vehicles or exposed to thermal conditions that puts their lives in danger. Animals cannot be left alone or tied up in public spaces, which means no leaving your dog outside a supermarket
  
• Patios and Terraces: Leaving dogs or cats on terraces or patios, although not prohibited is now time-limited.
  
• End of Life: You cannot sacrifice your pet due to lack of space or economic reasons, and euthanasia will now only be allowed under veterinary criteria.
  
• Breading: New law establishes rules to avoid uncontrolled breading. All cats will have to be identified via microchip and sterilised before the age of six months

Useful Links:

• Source News article: https://www.euronews.com/.../spains-new-animal-welfare...
• Spanish Law: https://boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2023-7936