Spain enacts strict Animal Welfare Law with heavy fines and balcony bans

Spain's new Animal Welfare Law, effective in 2023, aims to protect companion animals such as dogs, cats and ferrets and curb abandonment and mistreatment. It obliges owners to micro‑chip pets, complete a mandatory training course and obtain civil‑liability insurance (pending further regulation). The law bans the permanent keeping of animals on balconies, terraces, patios, basements, storage rooms or vehicles, and penalises unsupervised confinement beyond 24 hours for dogs and three days for cats.

Violations are categorised as light, serious or very serious, with fines ranging from €500 up to €200,000. Light infractions (e.g., failing to report a lost animal) attract €500‑10,000, serious offenses (abandonment, improper identification) €10,001‑50,000, and the most severe cases (malpractice leading to death, illegal breeding or sale) €50,001‑200,000. Breeding is restricted to registered breeders and sales must involve written contracts with identified animals.