Licence for a potentially dangerous dog

Key rules

• Licence: You need a licence before keeping a dog that counts as potentially dangerous, and it is valid for five years.
• In public: The dog wears a muzzle and is on a non-extendable leash no longer than 2 metres.
• Insurance: Civil liability insurance for the dog is required to get and keep the licence.
• Moving: If you move town or region, register your licence where you now live.
• Local rules: Regions and towns can add breeds or restrictions, so check with your town hall.

Does your dog count?

A dog is "potentially dangerous" (PPP) in any of three cases:

• Listed breed or cross. Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu and Akita Inu, or crosses of them.
• Typical physical traits. Strong muscles, a robust build, a large head with strong jaws, a broad deep chest, a weight over 20 kg and a height at the withers over 50 cm.
• Aggressive behaviour. Any dog that has attacked people or other animals and has been declared potentially dangerous by the authority, after a vet's report or an official notification of the bite.

Some regions add breeds or criteria. Ask your town hall if your dog is close to the line.

The 2023 animal welfare law kept this system. The licence and registry still apply. The law says breed-based rules should one day give way to judging each dog's behaviour, but until the rules change you still need the licence. Check for later reforms before you apply.

Who can hold the licence

You need to be 18 or over and physically and psychologically fit to handle the dog. You also need civil liability insurance for the dog. You cannot hold a licence if you have convictions for offences such as homicide, injuries, torture, crimes against freedom or sexual freedom, drug trafficking or organised crime. The same goes if you have a sanction for a serious or very serious infringement of the dangerous-dog rules that carried a ban on holding a licence.

How to get the licence

1. Gather the papers listed in the documents section below.
2. Apply at the town hall where you live. In some regions the regional government or its animal registry handles it instead, so ask your town hall which office to use.
3. Wait for the authority to check your file and issue the licence.
4. Microchip the dog. Register it with the animal registry and the potentially dangerous dog registry.
5. Keep the licence, vaccination record, a vet certificate on the dog's temperament and your insurance ready to show.

Forms and procedure vary by town and region.

Rules once you have the dog

• Carry the licence and the dog's registry proof.
• Keep the dog microchipped and insured.
• In public the dog must wear a muzzle and be on a non-extendable leash no longer than 2 metres.
• One person may lead only one such dog at a time.
• The dog is banned from children's play areas and any place the authority restricts. Transport follows the same public-space rules, subject to local rules.
• At home, keep the dog in a secure enclosure so it cannot escape.
• Report loss, theft, sale, death or a change of address to the registry.

Your town hall may add restrictions of its own.

Validity and moving

Your licence lasts five years. Renew it before it expires, with the same authority. If you lose a requirement, for example through a sanction, the licence ends early.

If you move to another town or region, update or re-register the licence in your new town of residence. The timeline, checklist and questions below cover the details.

Timeline and deadlines

• Your licence is issued and stays valid: for five years from the day it is issued

• Apply to renew with the same authority, with updated criminal record, psychological and physical aptitude certificates and proof of insurance: before the licence expires

• Your licence ends early if you lose a requirement, for example through a sanction: from the moment you lose the requirement

Documents for a dangerous-dog licence

• Your ID: a DNI or NIE. You must be an adult with the legal capacity to act.

• A negative criminal record certificate, to show you have no relevant convictions.

• A certificate of physical and psychological aptitude from an authorised centre (centro de reconocimiento).

• A declaration or certificate that you have no sanctions for serious or very serious infringements.

• Proof of civil liability insurance for the dog: a copy of the policy and a receipt showing the premium is paid. Cover must be at least 120,000 euros.

• A foreign criminal record certificate must come from the authorities of your country of origin or residence, usually issued within the last three months, and be apostilled or legalised by a consulate.

• A sworn translation into Spanish (traductor jurado) of any foreign certificate. Foreign medical or psychological certificates need the same apostille and translation.

• The dog's microchip identification and proof that the dog is in the animal registry.

• The dog's vaccination record (cartilla sanitaria or pet passport) showing rabies and other mandatory vaccines up to date.

• A veterinary health certificate for the dog.

• A sterilisation or temperament certificate, if your region asks for one.

Checklist

• Check whether your dog counts: a listed breed or cross, a dog with the typical physical traits, or a dog declared potentially dangerous after an attack

• Apply as normal: the 2023 law kept the licence and registry in force

• Gather the documents for the application, as listed in the documents section

• Submit your application to the town hall where you live, or to the regional body if your region handles it

• Report any change, loss or death of the dog to the registry

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 animal welfare law cancel the dangerous-dog licence?

No, the 2023 animal welfare law kept the dangerous-dog licence and its registry in force. It says the breed-based approach should one day be replaced by judging each dog's behaviour. Until that change is made, the breed list and the licence still apply.

Can a dog that is not on the breed list still count as potentially dangerous?

Yes, a dog off the breed list can still count if it has the typical physical traits or if it has attacked.

Do I need to update my licence if I move to another town or region?

Yes, you must update or re-register your licence with the new municipality where you live.

Can I walk two potentially dangerous dogs at the same time?

No, one person may handle only one potentially dangerous dog at a time. If you have two such dogs, you need a second person to lead the other.