Spain is branded one of Europe’s least dog-friendly countries

Spain has some of the strictest and most inconsistent rules for traveling with your pet. 

Pablo Muñoz Gabilondo knows what he’s talking about when it comes to puppy travel. 

In the past eight years, he documented his travels around the world with his dog Pipper. 

In an El Pais interview, he said that Spain is “sadly the great exception” when it comes dog-friendly travel. 

Transport is the biggest problem for travelling with four-legged friends, says he. 

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Dogs under 10kg are only allowed in carriers on long-distance trains. 

Chihuahuas & dachshunds qualify, but most other breeds and owners are excluded. 

Renfe launched a pilot program allowing dogs up to 40kg in weight on certain high-speed routes. These routes include Madrid-Alicante (Madrid), Madrid-Barcelona (Madrid), Madrid-Malaga (Madrid), Madrid-Valencia (Madrid), Madrid-Zaragoza and Madrid – Granada. 

The scheme has proven to be successful, but the rest of network has yet to benefit from it. 

Transport rules vary greatly depending on where you live.

Only 4 of Spain’s eight metro systems (Madrid Barcelona Palma Granada) allow dogs.

The man’s best companion is prohibited from travelling to Alicante, Bilbao and Seville. 

Operators have different rules even within cities. Dogs can only travel on one of three metrolines in Bilbao. 

Pet-friendly tourism could be on the rise, and it is a growing opportunity.

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Spain’s cities have begun to reflect the fact that one in three Spaniards has a dog at home. More pet-friendly businesses are opening up. 

Pamplona now has around 20 restaurants, up from none in 2018.

In Seville, there are 50 different options now, up from five in 2018. 

You can also find more pet-friendly accommodation. 

Booking.com says that 27% (or Spanish accommodation) accepts dogs.

Check the fine print to see if your pet is allowed in certain areas or breeds.  

Gabilondo believes that Spain still has a long way to go to catch up with its European neighbors.

He said, “We went to Switzerland and it was like the future. There you had to pay a tax every year for your dog. And you needed to do a training class to be able to own one.”

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