New in March 29, animal welfare law introduces many changes in its articles to improve the lives of pets. While the entry into force is set for September 29, preparations should begin now. The measure mandates dog liability insurance from that date onward and, for clarity, applies to all animal species, not only potentially dangerous ones.
The policy consists of liability insurance. These guarantees protect the pet owner if harm occurs, such as a dog biting a third party, causing an accident, or damaging another person’s property. This marks a key difference from traditional animal-related insurance.
As with other insurance types, a wide range of policies exists for dogs and other pets, varying by breed and the included benefits.
The measure affects all dog breeds. The basic price typically ranges from 25 to 40 euros per year, especially when compared with the current civil liability insurance for potentially dangerous dogs, which expert journalists estimate around 62 euros on the Wamiz platform.
Insured capital depends on the insurer and the dog breed, and it covers both bodily injury and property damage. In general, this coverage ranges between 60,000 euros and 300,000 euros.
An insurance unlike any other
There is no doubt that the Animal Welfare Act highlights innovation in compulsory liability insurance for pets, a feature many insurers have offered for some time. Traditionally, pet insurance focused on the dog or cat’s health—veterinary assistance, compensation for theft or loss, or home-stay coverage for hospitalization of family members.
The law article detailing this change is 30.3, which states that when dogs are kept, the owner must obtain and maintain a civil liability insurance contract for the life of the animal to cover damages to third parties, including the individuals responsible for the animal, with amounts sufficient to cover potential costs as determined by regulation.
Detailed information about the full law is available through official government documentation, as reported by the national legislative body and covered by recognized industry outlets, with attribution to the official publication in 2023. This authoritative source confirms the scope and penalties tied to non-compliance and clarifies the regulatory framework controlling insured sums and policy terms.
Contact details for the environmental department are not included in this article, as the focus remains on the statutory requirements and the practical implications for pet owners and insurers alike.
Notes and summaries of the law can be found through formal government repositories and subsequent expert analyses, which discuss how these provisions will shape consumer choices, insurer offerings, and the responsibilities of dog owners in the coming years.