Best pet insurance in Spain for expats (2026 guide)
If you have moved to Spain with your dog or cat, you already know that relocating with a pet comes with its own checklist: the microchip, the EU pet passport, vaccinations up to date… And once you are settled, a question arises that many expats ask themselves (sometimes too late): do I need to take out insurance for my pet in Spain? The short answer is: it depends. The long answer is this article.
Veterinary care in Spain is of good quality, but it is not cheap. An emergency visit can easily cost between €70 and €120, and a surgical procedure can run well into the thousands. On top of that, there is something that surprises many newcomers: Spanish law requires all dog owners to hold a third-party liability insurance policy. And it is not optional.
In this guide we explain what types of pet insurance exist, what each one covers, and which are the best options available to expats in Spain in 2026 — without small print and without beating about the bush.
🐶 What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance covers, in whole or in part, the costs arising from veterinary care for your animal. It works in much the same way as a health insurance policy: you pay a monthly or annual premium and, in return, the insurer covers certain expenses when your pet falls ill, has an accident, or requires surgery.
💡 Good to know...
What many people do not realise is that in Spain the term "pet insurance" actually encompasses two distinct products that should not be confused:
- Veterinary insurance. This covers medical expenses: consultations, diagnostics, operations, hospitalisation, and medication.
- Third-party liability insurance. This covers damages your pet may cause to other people or their property. And here comes the part that surprises many expats: for dog owners in Spain, this second type of insurance is a legal obligation.
⛑️ Why expats in Spain need pet insurance
If you come from the United Kingdom or northern Europe, you are probably already familiar with pet insurance. But arriving in Spain and assuming the system works the same way as back home is a mistake that can prove costly.
Veterinary care in Spain is of good quality, but prices are high , and unlike in some other European countries, veterinary services are subject to the standard VAT rate.
💡 Some figures worth knowing
According to data compiled by Veterinary Management Studies (VMS), a specialist firm that analyses pricing across Spanish veterinary centres, a routine consultation costs between €30 and €40 on average, though in cities such as Madrid or Barcelona it can exceed €50.
An out-of-hours emergency typically runs between €70 and €120, not including any additional tests.
And if your pet requires surgery, the bill can easily climb to between €600 and €1,800 depending on the procedure.
Then there is the language barrier. Managing a veterinary emergency in Spanish when you are not fully confident in the language is stressful, and can lead to misunderstandings over the diagnosis or billing. Some insurers offer English-language customer support and networks of clinics accustomed to working with international clients, which makes a real difference in those moments.
And finally, there is the legal obligation. In Spain, all dog owners are required by law to hold a third-party liability insurance policy. It is not a recommendation: it is a legal requirement that many new arrivals are unaware of, and one that can result in significant fines.
🆚 Vet insurance vs. third-party liability insurance: what's the difference?
As mentioned above, Spain has two types of pet insurance that serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference is essential to knowing what you are buying , and, more importantly, what you may be leaving uncovered.
Veterinary insurance: when your pet needs a doctor
Veterinary insurance covers the costs of medical care for your animal. Depending on the policy, it can include consultations, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, hospitalisation, and medication. More comprehensive plans may also cover rehabilitation and treatment for chronic conditions.
Think of it as a financial safety net for when your four-legged companion falls ill or has an accident — something that, sooner or later, happens to nearly every pet. This type of insurance is voluntary, though once you receive your first serious veterinary bill, the value tends to become rather clear.
Third-party liability insurance: when your pet causes damage
Third-party liability insurance does not protect your pet: it protects other people and their property from your pet's behaviour. If your dog bites a neighbour, startles a cyclist and causes a fall, or damages someone's property, this insurance covers any resulting financial claims.
⚖️ The legal obligation: what Spain's 2023 Animal Welfare Act says
Since the entry into force of Law 7/2023 of 28 March on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals, all dog owners in Spain are legally required to hold third-party liability insurance, regardless of breed or size.
Previously, this obligation applied only to breeds classified as potentially dangerous (PPP). Now, whether you have a chihuahua or a German shepherd, if you own a dog in Spain, you need this insurance. Failure to comply can result in fines ranging from €500 to €200,000 depending on the severity of the infringement, as set out in Article 76 of the Act.
As for cats and other pets, the legal obligation applies exclusively to dogs. Owners of cats, rabbits, or other animals are not legally required to hold third-party liability cover, though some policies include it as an optional add-on.
Many insurers in Spain offer combined policies that integrate both veterinary cover and third-party liability in a single product. This is the most practical option and, generally, the most cost-effective when compared to taking out the two coverages separately.
ℹ️ What does pet insurance cover in Spain?
Once you know you need insurance, the next question is inevitable: what does it actually cover? The answer depends largely on the policy you choose, but there are a number of coverages that are standard across the Spanish market and worth knowing before you start comparing.
Most veterinary insurance policies include cover for accidents and emergencies (this is the baseline of any plan). Mid-range policies typically add illness, surgery and hospitalisation, and diagnostic tests such as blood work, X-rays, and scans. More comprehensive plans also include prescription medication and, in some cases, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, particularly useful for breeds prone to joint or spinal problems.
Just as important as knowing what a policy covers is knowing what it excludes. The most common exclusions in the Spanish market are:
- Pre-existing conditions at the time of taking out the policy.
- Cosmetic or aesthetic treatments.
- Reproduction and pregnancy.
- Routine preventive treatments such as vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment.
⚠️ Pay particular attention to the waiting period (the time between taking out the policy and being able to make a claim for certain conditions). This varies between insurers and coverages, so always check the full policy documentation before signing. The main insurers that work with expats generally have their documentation available in English.
💰 How much does pet insurance cost in Spain?
The cost of pet insurance in Spain depends on several factors: the species and breed of your animal, its age, the level of cover chosen, and the insurer. As a general rule, the older the animal and the broader the coverage, the higher the premium.
At the more affordable end sit basic third-party liability policies, which cover the legal obligation and nothing more. At the other end are comprehensive plans combining third-party liability and full veterinary cover (including illness, surgery, and hospitalisation) which can be considerably more expensive. Between the two extremes, there is a wide range of mid-range options covering accidents and emergencies at a reasonable price.
💡 Good to know...
The most important thing is not to look for the cheapest policy, but the one that best suits your pet's needs and your situation as an expat. A budget plan that excludes illness cover may prove wholly inadequate if your dog needs surgery.
⭐ Best pet insurance companies in Spain
The Spanish market offers both large domestic insurers and providers who specialise in expats. The three options below combine solid cover, compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, and English-language support.
1️⃣ Adeslas
Adeslas offers two tiers. The Basic plan covers third-party liability up to €200,000, accidental death up to €1,000, theft up to €800, and legal defence.
The Comprehensive plan adds free consultations at approved clinics, reduced prices on tests and surgery, death by illness cover, and the rabies vaccination at no extra cost.
From
5,85
€/month
Basic Plan
- Third-party liability up to €200,000
- Accidental death up to €1,000
- Theft up to €800
- Legal defence
From
24,74
€/month
Comprehensive Plan
- Consultations: free at approved clinics
- Tests and surgery: reduced prices
- Third-party liability up to €200,000
- Accidental death up to €1,000
- Theft up to €800
- Legal defence
- Death by illness
- Free vaccinations: rabies
2️⃣ Petplan
Petplan has three plans. The entry-level RC covers third-party liability and legal defence. The RC + Video Consultations plan adds online-only vet consultations.
Their top-tier Health plan includes 100% reimbursement on vet consultations, tests, surgery, and chemotherapy, with free choice of vet and a reimbursement limit of €3,100. It also includes cover for theft (€600), lost pet search costs (€600), and accidental or illness-related death (€600 each). Third-party liability and legal defence are available as optional extras.
RC + video consultations
From
3,75
euros/month
RC + Video Consultations
- Third-party liability
- Legal defence
- Consultations: online only
Veterinary reimbursement
From
25,83
euros/month
Health
- Vet consultations
- Tests and surgery: 100% reimbursement
- Free choice of vet
- Reimbursement limit: €3,100
- Third-party liability: optional
- Legal defence: optional
- Theft cover: €600
- Lost pet search costs: €600
- Accidental death cover: €600
- Death by illness cover: €600
- Chemotherapy: 100% reimbursement
3️⃣ Caser
Caser offers three plans under the MIMascota range. The RC plan includes third-party liability up to €300,000, legal defence, damage claims, and veterinary telemedicine. The Plan Salud adds unlimited consultations and reviews, unlimited emergency consultations, the rabies and tetravalent vaccinations, and preferential pricing on treatments and surgery.
The top-tier Plan Salud Premium further includes internal antiparasitic treatment, annual blood and urine analysis, annual abdominal ultrasound, and emergency expense reimbursement.
From
3,9
euros/month
MIMascota RC
- Third-party liability up to €300,000
- Legal defence
- Damage claims
- Veterinary telemedicine
From
19,4
euros/month
MIMascota Plan Salud
- Third-party liability and legal defence
- Unlimited consultations and check-ups
- Unlimited emergency consultations
- Veterinary telemedicine
- Rabies and tetravalent vaccinations
- Preferential pricing on treatments and surgery
From
27,5
euros/month
MIMascota Plan Salud Premium
- Third-party liability and legal defence
- Unlimited consultations and check-ups
- Veterinary telemedicine
- Rabies and tetravalent vaccinations
- Internal antiparasitic treatment
- Annual blood and urine analysis
- Annual abdominal ultrasound
- Emergency expense reimbursement
- Preferential pricing on treatments and surgery
📍 How to choose the right plan
With so many options available, choosing the right policy can feel overwhelming. These are the four criteria that matter most for an expat in Spain:
1. Real cover, not just liability
Remember that third-party liability insurance is mandatory for dog owners, but it does not cover your pet's own veterinary expenses. If you want full protection, make sure the policy also includes medical coverage.
2. Free choice of vet
Some policies restrict care to a network of approved clinics. If you have a trusted vet, particularly one who speaks English, check that you can continue seeing them under your chosen plan.
3. English-language customer support
In an emergency, clarity matters. Before signing up, confirm that the insurer can assist you in English, both for managing a claim and for any queries about your policy.
4. Exclusions and pre-existing conditions
Always read the full policy documentation before signing. If your pet arrived in Spain with a previously diagnosed condition, check carefully how the policy treats it before committing.
❓ Frequently asked questions about pet insurance in Spain
Can I use the pet insurance I had in the UK now that I live in Spain?
In general, no. Most pet insurance policies taken out in the United Kingdom are designed to cover the animal on British territory and are not valid in Spain. You will need to take out a new policy with an insurer operating in Spain. The same applies to pet passports issued in the UK, which have not been valid for travel to the EU since Brexit.
Is pet insurance compulsory for cats in Spain?
No. The legal obligation to hold third-party liability insurance applies exclusively to dog owners, under the terms of Law 7/2023 on the protection of the rights and welfare of animals. For cats and other pets, insurance is voluntary, though always advisable.
Where do I register my pet when I arrive in Spain?
All dogs, cats, and ferrets must be registered at the municipal animal register of the local council where you reside. Your pet's details will be integrated into the Red Española de Identificación de Animales de Compañía (REIAC) (the national microchip database), which is in turn connected to the European network Europetnet.