Places for pet owners and outdoor lifestyles

Key rules

• Dog training: Dog owner training is not currently mandatory in Spain, but civil liability insurance is required.
• Landlords: A landlord can lawfully refuse pets, but if the lease is silent, pets are normally allowed.
• Regional rules: Regions run the animal registers and set their own fines, so check local rules.
• Imported pets: Pets from abroad need a microchip, rabies vaccination and an EU health certificate or passport.

Pets come first when you search for a home

Finding a landlord who accepts pets is usually harder than meeting Spain's pet rules. In tight markets such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, many listings say "no se admiten mascotas", and landlords can choose among many applicants. Start your search with this filter, then pick the region.

Pet rules that apply everywhere

• Dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified with a microchip, registered in your region's animal register.
• Dog owners must have civil liability insurance for their dog.
• Dogs must not be left alone for more than 24 hours or tied up permanently. Sterilisation is required in specified cases.
• Dog owner training is not currently mandatory in Spain; civil liability insurance is required, and a free online course is under development.
• Regions run the registers and set their own fines and details, such as leash zones and beach access. Catalonia, Andalucía, Madrid and Valencia all differ, so check your town hall's rules.
• Exotic species are controlled by a national list of invasive and non-native animals. Check it before you bring one.

If you bring a pet from abroad, you need a microchip, rabies vaccination and an EU health certificate or pet passport.

Potentially dangerous breeds

Some breeds count as "PPP" (potentially dangerous), including Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu. Owners need a licence, a clean record, a psychological fitness certificate, insurance and registration. A muzzle and short lead are required in public. If you own one of these breeds, plan this before you sign a lease.

Renting with a pet

A landlord may legally ban pets in the lease, so a refusal is generally lawful. If the lease says nothing, pets are normally allowed. A building's owners' community can act against noise, smell or danger. A general pet ban is usually not enforceable unless it is clearly in its registered statutes. Community rules and lease wording decide each case.

To improve your chances:

• Offer a pet reference from a previous landlord or vet.
• Offer a larger deposit. The legal deposit is one month's rent, and extra guarantees are allowed up to two months.
• Negotiate the pet clause before you sign, and get any agreement in writing.

Heat and your animals

Summers are hot in much of the south and inland. Dogs need shade, water and walks at cooler hours. This is one reason many pet owners favour the north coast or mountain areas. Ask landlords whether the home has a terrace or garden, and whether the building has air conditioning.

Matching outdoor interests to a region

• Hiking: Pyrenees (Aragón, Catalonia, Navarra), Picos de Europa (Asturias, Cantabria, León), Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras (Andalucía), Gredos and Guadarrama (Castilla y León, Madrid), the Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera), Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana, and the Camino de Santiago routes in Galicia.
• Skiing: Pyrenees (Baqueira-Beret, Formigal, Cerler, La Molina) and Sierra Nevada near Granada. Smaller stations include Navacerrada, Valdezcaray and San Isidro.
• Surfing: Basque Country (Mundaka, Zarautz), Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia (Costa da Morte) and the Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria). Tarifa and Cádiz on the Andalusian Atlantic coast are best for wind and kitesurfing.
• Sailing: Balearic Islands, Costa Brava, Valencia, Murcia's Mar Menor, Andalusia (Cádiz, Málaga), the Canary Islands and the Galician rias.

Madrid and its nearby mountains suit hikers and skiers who want a big city but have the tightest pet-friendly rental market. The north coast suits surfers and hikers who want milder summers. The Mediterranean and islands suit sailors, though summers are hotter.

Check the documents, warnings and questions below before you commit to a place.

Documents you need

• Microchip identification for your dog, cat or ferret, registered in your region's animal register

• Civil liability insurance for your dog, with minimum cover of 120,000 euros

• Rabies vaccination proof and an EU health certificate or pet passport, if you bring your pet from abroad

• For a potentially dangerous breed (PPP) dog: a licence, a clean record certificate and a psychological fitness certificate

• A pet reference from a previous landlord or vet, to support your rental application

What to watch out for

• Landlords can refuse pets: Many listings say "no se admiten mascotas", and a landlord may legally put a no-pets clause in the lease. Animal welfare law did not force landlords to accept pets. Ask about pets before you view. Offer a pet reference and an extra guarantee (up to two months on top of the one-month fianza), and agree the terms before signing.

• A silent lease is not a licence for everything: If the lease says nothing, pets are normally allowed. The community can still act against noise, smell or danger. Ask for pet permission in writing in the lease, and check the community statutes for clear pet rules.

• Dog insurance and registration are required: Dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified with a microchip and registered in the regional pet register. Dogs also need civil liability insurance. Leaving a dog alone for more than 24 hours or tying it permanently is not allowed. Arrange insurance and registration soon after you get or bring your dog, cat or ferret, and ask your regional animal register about local fines.

• Some breeds count as potentially dangerous: Breeds such as Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino and Akita Inu need a licence, a psychological fitness certificate and insurance. Check whether your dog's breed is on the list before choosing a home, and get the licence in your region.

Frequently asked questions

Can my community of owners ban my pet if the lease allows it?

Usually not: the community can only ban pets in general if its registered statutes clearly say so. Without that, it mostly can act only against noise, smell or danger.

What do I need to bring my pet from abroad?

Your pet needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination and an EU health certificate or passport. Cats and ferrets must be identified too.

Where do I look for surfing if I also want a mild climate?

Look at Andalusia's Atlantic coast (Tarifa, Cádiz) or the Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria). The north coast (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia) is the other main surf area.