Dogs up to 40 kg on Renfe trains: the new Spanish rail rules, explained

Updated: 2026-08-26 · Joan · 3 min read

Everything below comes from Renfe's official pet page and its press room, both read and verified on the date shown at the top. The 40 kg scheme went live in July 2026 and most content online still describes the old 10 kg world, so if this guide and another one disagree, check the official page linked at the end before believing either of us.

The new part: big dogs, no carrier

The Dogs up to 40 kg extra applies on AVE, international AVE (Spanish leg only), Avlo, Larga Distancia, Avant and Media Distancia trains, except services with connections or planned alternative transport. When you buy the ticket, trains that accept it are identified with a small paw icon.

1. What it costs and how to buy it

On AVE, international AVE, Avlo and Larga Distancia the extra costs 40 EUR (on AVE and Larga Distancia it is only sold with Elige Estandar tickets, on Avlo on top of the Basica fare). On Avant and Media Distancia the extra costs the same as a general-fare ticket. You buy it on the web, the app or at agencies up to 24 hours before departure. It allows no seat selection because the pet spots are fixed, it does not admit changes, and cancellation follows the conditions of your own ticket.

2. How the dog actually travels

One large dog per person and a maximum of two large dogs per train, both in a single predetermined pet friendly car. Your dog occupies the window-side spot next to you without a carrier, on AVE, Avlo and Larga Distancia. On Avant and Media Distancia the dog travels with you but may not climb on the seat. At the station and during boarding it must wear a muzzle and a non-extendable leash of up to 1.5 meters. On board the muzzle can come off, but the dog stays leashed and in its spot.

3. What Renfe gives you and what you bring

On AVE, Avlo, Euromed, Intercity and Avant trains staff hand you a travel kit with a seat cover and a floor mat for the window spot. Media Distancia trains do not include the kit. In every case you bring your own cleaning kit (absorbent pad, wipes, waste bags, disinfectant spray) and you are responsible for any incident or cleaning.

4. Paperwork at the gate

Bring the vaccination record signed and stamped by a vet, or the microchip and rabies vaccinations. It is the travel document for pets that RESIDE in the EU: travelers arriving from">EU pet passport, up to date. It is checked together with your ticket at boarding. Excluded from the scheme: potentially dangerous breeds under the Spanish PPP list, dogs under 1 year old, and females in heat.

Small pets: the classic rules still apply

Pets up to 10 kg (dogs, cats, ferrets, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and non-poultry birds) travel in a carrier of up to 60x35x35 cm with their own pet ticket and no seat. On AVE and Larga Distancia the pet ticket is free with Premium fares (not on international AVE) and costs 10 EUR with Basico or Elige fares, and with a Bono AVE you pay 25 percent of the standard-seat price. On Avlo it costs 10 EUR. On Avant and Media Distancia it costs 25 percent of the general fare. On metric-gauge Media Distancia and on Cercanias commuter trains pets travel free on a leash, without weight limit, and Cercanias also asks for a muzzle.

Assistance dogs

Guide and assistance dogs always travel free, with no weight or transport limitations, including dogs in training carrying their visible identification, under Royal Decree 409/2025.