Spain’s Animal Welfare Law introduces fines of between €500 and €10,000 for those who fail to complete a compulsory training course for dog owners. Set out in Law 7/2023 on animal rights and welfare, the requirement is a key condition for dog ownership, although its enforcement awaits a confirmed start date. Article 52 stipulates that breeders and sellers must ensure prospective owners have undertaken the training before acquiring a dog.
This requirement sits alongside other legal checks, including verifying that a buyer is not prohibited from keeping animals and that the species in question appears on Spain’s approved list of companion animals. While the law came into force in September 2023, several provisions — including the training course — remain subject to further regulatory development. Draft rules suggest all dog owners will need to complete the course, though it is not yet clear whether existing owners will be affected.
Under proposals contained in a forthcoming Royal Decree on mandatory dog owner training Spain, the course is expected to last around four hours and will be available online, allowing access nationwide. It will be free of charge, and the certification will not expire. Participants will complete a multiple-choice assessment covering responsible ownership, duties, and animal welfare needs.
Details of enforcement remain incomplete, but breaches are expected to be classified according to severity. Within the framework of Law 7/2023, penalties could range from €500 to €10,000. However, until the implementing regulations are formally published in the Official State Gazette, no sanctions can be imposed for failing to complete the course.
Article 52 also sets out wider rules governing the breeding and sale of companion animals, including a ban on trading species not included on the authorised list. Breeders and retailers must work with veterinary professionals to confirm that buyers are legally eligible to own animals. In the case of dogs, this includes verifying completion of the mandatory training prior to transfer of ownership.
According to the draft decree, anyone acquiring a dog through breeders, specialist retailers or adoption centres will be required to prove they have completed the course. Whether the obligation will extend retrospectively to current dog owners remains unresolved.
Authorities are continuing to finalise the operational details of the scheme, including standardised course content, certification procedures and digital platforms for verification. Although Law 7/2023 has been in force since September 2023, the timeline for introducing the compulsory training will depend on the approval and publication of the final regulations.