Pet insurance for expats in Spain: can you insure your parrot, iguana or ferret?
There’s a bill many expats never see coming. It doesn’t arrive the day you move or the day you buy your car. It arrives on an ordinary Tuesday at a routine police check, or worse, after an accident. And it almost always costs far more than the policy that was never taken out.
Here’s the short answer. In Spain, driving a vehicle without compulsory insurance is a very serious offence. It can mean a fine of €601 to €3,005, your vehicle being immobilised, and the Consorcio claiming its costs back from you. Since 2026, electric scooters without a policy can also be fined. Keeping a dangerous dog without insurance can lead to penalties running into thousands of euros.
But the fine isn’t the most expensive part. If you cause an accident without insurance, the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros pays the victims. It then claims everything it paid back from you, with no upper limit. That’s why good expat insurance in Spain isn’t an extra expense: it’s what protects you from a debt that could change your life.
Which insurance is compulsory in Spain
Not all insurance is compulsory, but some is required by law:
- Car and motorbike: compulsory third-party liability insurance.
- Electric scooter (VMP): compulsory since January 2026.
- Potentially dangerous dogs (PPP): compulsory third-party liability insurance.
- Health: compulsory in practice if you apply for or renew certain visas, such as the non-lucrative residence visa.
- Home: compulsory if you have a mortgage, because the property must be insured against damage.
Car insurance: fines and legal consequences
The fine
The amount isn’t fixed. It depends on:
- the type of vehicle
- whether it was being driven or parked
- how long it has gone without insurance
- whether you’ve been fined before
As a guide, the average figures quoted by the DGT for cars are around €1,500 if the car is being driven and about €800 if it’s parked.
Even if the car isn’t moving
This is the most common mistake among expats. Many people think that if the car never moves, it doesn’t need insurance. Wrong. A vehicle must have a valid policy for as long as it’s registered with the DGT, even if it sits permanently in a private garage. The only way around this is to request a temporary deregistration (baja temporal) from the DGT.
Tow truck, pound and fees
On top of the fine, your car can be immobilised. Towing costs and council fees push the total bill above €800.
They can catch you without stopping you
An officer no longer needs to pull you over. Police check your insurance in real time against FIVA, the national database of insured vehicles.
If there’s an accident
This is the real hidden cost. If someone is seriously injured, the compensation can run to tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros. And you’re the one who pays it.
Electric scooters: a new obligation in 2026
If you ride an electric scooter in Spain, take note. Law 5/2025 set 2 January 2026 as the start date for compulsory insurance, and Royal Decree 52/2026, published on 30 January, launched the national scooter register. You must register the scooter first and then take out the insurance.
And if you don’t? According to the OCU, Spain’s consumer organisation, riding without registration and without a policy can add up to €1,220 in fines, plus the scooter being impounded.
Dogs: compulsory liability insurance
Potentially dangerous dogs (PPP)
If your dog is classed as a PPP, insurance is compulsory everywhere in Spain. Andalusia sets a higher minimum cover: €120,000 is the usual minimum elsewhere, but it rises to €175,000 in Andalusia.
Insurance is a requirement for getting a PPP licence. Keeping a PPP without a licence is a very serious offence, with fines from €2,404.06 up to €15,025.30.
All other dogs
Animal Welfare Law 7/2023 extends the obligation to every dog, but it’s worth being precise about where things stand. In some regions, such as Madrid, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Navarre and Asturias, it’s already required for all dogs. Nationally, the implementing regulations still have to be published.
Our advice is not to wait. The policy is inexpensive, and you’re already liable today for a bite or an accident your dog causes.
Health insurance: your visa depends on it
If you live in Spain on a non-lucrative residence visa, which is very common among British and other non-EU retirees, you need private health insurance. It must give full cover with no co-payments. If your policy doesn’t meet the requirements, or you cancel it, you could run into problems when renewing your residency. The “penalty” here isn’t a fine: it’s putting your right to live in Spain at risk.
Home insurance: not always compulsory, but essential
The law doesn’t require home insurance unless you have a mortgage. Still, consider this: if a water leak in your home damages your neighbour’s flat, you pay for the repairs. A home insurance policy with third-party liability covers that risk. Many policies also include liability cover for your pet.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be fined if my car is kept in my garage?
Yes, if the vehicle is still registered with the DGT. The only way to avoid it is a temporary deregistration.
Is my UK or other foreign car insurance valid in Spain?
Only for a limited time and depending on your policy’s terms. Once you’re resident in Spain or have registered the car here, you need Spanish insurance.
Who pays the fine if I lend my car to a friend?
The fine goes to the registered owner, whoever was driving.
What happens if my insurance lapses because of an unpaid direct debit?
You’re left without cover. Check your direct debits, especially if you changed banks when you moved.
Summary: what to do today
- Check that your car, motorbike or scooter has valid insurance.
- If you have a vehicle you don’t use, either insure it or apply for a temporary deregistration.
- If you have a dog, check whether your home insurance covers its liability. If it’s a PPP, you need a specific policy.
- If your residency depends on health insurance, make sure your policy meets every requirement.
At The Insurance Centre, we’ve spent 30 years helping expats across Spain get properly insured. We work in your language and give you personal support if you need to make a claim. As independent brokers, we compare the best options for car, home, health, pet insurance and more on your behalf.
Want to know if you’re properly covered? Call us on 952 451 024 / 952 451 033, WhatsApp us on 619 000 712 or email info@theinsurancecentre.net. We’ll review your situation with no obligation and give you a clear quote.
About Our TeamAt The Insurance Centre, we’ve been helping clients since 1999 with friendly, professional, and multilingual insurance services tailored especially for expatriates in Spain. We work with top-tier, reputable insurance providers and have proudly received awards for excellence in customer service and expat insurance for the past 10 years.We are fully registered with the Dirección General de Seguros (DGS) and are members of the Colegio de Mediadores. Our team speaks English, Spanish, French, and Swedish, ensuring clear and confident communication with clients from around the world.
