Finding temporary housing that accepts your dog or cat

Key rules

• Pet fees: Fees are set by each host, so confirm the amount and whether it is refundable before you pay.
• Cats: Cats are accepted less often than dogs, so ask about your cat specifically.
• Assistance dogs: Assistance dogs are legally accepted almost everywhere.
• Dangerous breeds: Potentially dangerous dogs need a licence, insurance and registration, and many hosts refuse them.

Where pets are most likely to be accepted

Acceptance is mixed, so filter and ask before you fall for a place.

• Tourist flats: many accept pets on request, usually for a fee and a deposit. Use the pet filter on booking sites, then message the host.
• Hotels: only a minority take pets, often small dogs only, with a weight limit. Larger chains are more likely to say yes.
• Rooms in shared flats and coliving: mostly no pets.
• Hostels and student residences: rarely.

Cats are accepted less often than dogs, so do not assume a "pets welcome" listing includes them. Ask about cats by name. Assistance dogs are legally accepted almost everywhere.

What it costs

Pet costs are set by each host, not by law. Budget for one of these:

• A cleaning supplement of €30–80 per stay.
• A per-night fee of about €5–15. Hotels may charge more, up to about €25 a night, and some cap the number of nights charged.
• A higher damage deposit instead of a fee. On longer temporary or mid-term rentals, expect a refundable extra deposit of roughly one extra month's rent, or €100–300 on top of the normal deposit.

Add the pet cost to your total before comparing places. Ask whether the money is refundable and when you get it back.

Typical limits

Most places accept one or two pets. Many cap dogs at around 10–25 kg, so only small or medium dogs fit. Some exclude puppies. Common house rules: no pet on the furniture and no leaving the pet alone in the flat.

Potentially dangerous dogs

Dogs classed as potentially dangerous (perros potencialmente peligrosos) include Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileño, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu, plus dogs with certain listed traits. They need a licence, civil liability insurance, registration, and a muzzle and short lead in public. Many hosts refuse them outright. Regions can add their own rules, so check where you will be staying.

Since September 2023, dog owners also need civil liability insurance. Dog owner training is not mandatory at the moment, though a free online course is being developed. Have your insurance documents ready to show a host.

Can a landlord or building say no?

A landlord can put a clause in the contract that bans or limits pets, and breaking it can end the contract. If the contract says nothing, pets are generally allowed. A building's owners' community cannot ban pets by a general rule, but pets that cause noise, smell or danger can be restricted. Courts have not been fully consistent here, so read the contract clause and ask whether the building has its own rules.

Before you book

Get every pet term in writing, as the checklist below sets out. Read the warnings and FAQ below too.

Pet terms to get in writing before you book

• Ask the host to confirm in writing, in the platform chat or on the booking confirmation, that pets are accepted for your exact dates.

• Get the species, the number of pets, the maximum size or weight, and any breed limits in writing. Some hosts exclude PPP breeds (potentially dangerous dogs), which need a licence and insurance in Spain.

• Ask for the house rules on furniture, leaving the pet alone, and using the garden or terrace, plus any community-of-owners rules.

• Get the damage and cleaning terms in writing, including the deposit and when it is refunded.

• Find out how the pet fee is charged: a one-time fee per stay, a fee per night, or a refundable deposit held by the host.

• Add the pet fee to your total cost. Check whether it is already in the price breakdown or paid separately in cash on arrival, as is common when a listing says pets are on request.

• Screenshot the listing's pet policy, the chat messages, the booking confirmation and the price breakdown before you pay.

• Ask the host to confirm in writing what happens to your booking and refund if the pet is refused.

• If the host refuses or changes the pet answer after booking, message the host citing the earlier confirmation. Then report it to the platform's support before check-in and ask for a full refund or help rebooking.

• Wait for the platform to confirm it is a host-fault cancellation before you cancel, or a standard cancellation fee may apply.

• If you paid the host directly and get no refund, file a complaint with your regional consumer office using the official complaint sheet (hoja de reclamaciones), or ask your card issuer about a chargeback.

What to watch out for

• Size, number and age limits: Many pet-friendly places accept only one or two pets and cap dogs at around 10–25 kg. Many also exclude puppies, or ban leaving the pet alone or on furniture. A big or young dog can be refused on arrival. Give the host your pet's weight, age and number before you book, and ask whether the pet may be left alone.

• Potentially dangerous breeds: Dogs classed as potentially dangerous (perros potencialmente peligrosos) include Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileño, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu. Many hosts refuse them outright. If your dog is one of these or similar, tell the host first and confirm the rules in the region where you will stay. Keep the licence and insurance papers with you.

• Insurance for dog owners: Dog owners in Spain need civil liability insurance. Dog owner training is not currently mandatory, and a free online course is under development. A host or authority may ask for proof of insurance. Carry your dog's insurance details with you.

• Pet clauses in the contract: A landlord can lawfully ban or limit pets in the rental contract, and breaking that clause can justify ending the contract. Without a clause, pets are generally allowed. Read the pet clause before you sign. Do not bring a pet the contract excludes.

• Building rules and nuisance: A community of owners cannot ban pets by a general rule, but a pet that causes noise, smell or danger can be restricted or removed. A neighbour may still complain. Ask the host for the building's rules on pets, and keep your pet quiet and clean in shared areas.

Frequently asked questions

Are cats accepted as often as dogs?

No. Cats are accepted less often than dogs, so filter for pets and then ask the host about your cat directly.

Which types of stay are least likely to take pets?

Rooms in shared flats and coliving mostly do not allow pets, and hostels and student residences rarely do. Larger hotel chains and tourist flats are your best bets. Many tourist flats accept pets on request.

How much extra should I budget for a pet?

Hotels often charge €10–25 per night, and some cap the nights charged. Tourist flats usually charge €30–80 per stay or €10–30 per night.