Renfe, Spain's national rail operator, significantly expanded its pet policy on 21 July 2026: dogs weighing up to 40kg are now allowed on all of its services — AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity, Avant and Media Distancia — where previously a dog that size not travelling in a carrier was limited to a handful of specific AVE routes. Breeds that typically exceed 40kg, such as English Mastiffs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Irish Wolfhounds, remain outside the policy.
Only two dogs are allowed per train, travelling in a designated pet-friendly carriage, and a dog can board at any stop on the route, not just the departure station. The fare is a flat €40 on AVE, Alvia, Intercity, Euromed and Avlo; on Avant and Media Distancia regional services, the owner pays the standard passenger fare instead. Bookings are made through Renfe's usual channels and are marked with a dog-paw icon, with seats assigned automatically next to each other.
The practical rules are consistent across the network: the dog must wear a muzzle and be on a non-extendable leash of 1.5 metres, sit next to the window, and the owner must carry a cleaning kit (absorbent pad, wipes, bags, disinfectant and odour spray), along with an up-to-date vaccination record or EU pet passport. Puppies under one year old, dogs that could be classified as potentially dangerous (PPP), and females in heat are not permitted, and dogs can't be booked on connecting services or trains running a replacement bus.