Pet Insurance Glossary Spain
Essential pet insurance terms explained in plain English. Understand your policy and make the best choices for your furry family member.
Terms by category
Policy Types
(5 terms)Seguro de mascotas
Pet insurance
Insurance covering veterinary costs for dogs, cats, and sometimes other pets. Policies vary from accident-only to comprehensive coverage including illness, preventive care, and even behavioral therapy.
Why it matters for expats:
Vet bills in Spain can be expensive—emergency surgery may cost €2,000+. Pet insurance ensures you can afford the best care for your companion without financial stress during difficult times.
Seguro de perros
Dog insurance
Insurance specifically for dogs, often including third-party liability for damage your dog causes. In Spain, certain breeds (PPP - potentially dangerous) legally require liability insurance.
Why it matters for expats:
If you own a dog in Spain, especially certain breeds, liability insurance is mandatory. Beyond legal requirements, covering vet costs protects your budget and your pet's health.
Seguro de gatos
Cat insurance
Insurance covering veterinary costs for cats. While cats don't require liability insurance like some dogs, health coverage protects against unexpected illness and accident costs.
Why it matters for expats:
Cats can develop chronic conditions, cancers, and need emergency care just like dogs. Indoor cats aren't immune to health problems. Insurance ensures cost isn't a factor in treatment decisions.
Seguro solo accidentes
Accident-only insurance
Basic pet insurance covering only accidents—injuries, broken bones, ingested objects, poisoning. Does NOT cover illness. The cheapest option but leaves significant gaps in protection.
Why it matters for expats:
Accident-only is affordable but limited. Most vet visits are for illness, not accidents. Consider whether the savings justify the coverage gaps—illness treatment often costs more than accident care.
Cobertura de por vida
Lifetime coverage
Premium pet insurance that covers ongoing/chronic conditions for your pet's entire life, as long as you renew annually. Annual limits reset each year. The most comprehensive option.
Why it matters for expats:
Chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or allergies need ongoing treatment. Lifetime coverage ensures continuous care without hitting permanent limits. Worth the higher premium for long-term peace of mind.
Financial Terms
(5 terms)Prima de mascota
Pet insurance premium
The monthly or annual cost of your pet insurance. Premiums depend on species, breed, age, location, and coverage level. Premiums typically increase as pets age.
Why it matters for expats:
Dog insurance in Spain averages €150-€400/year; cats slightly less. Premiums rise with age, so insuring young pets locks in lower rates. Compare quotes carefully—cheapest isn't always best value.
Franquicia de mascota
Pet insurance excess
The amount you pay toward each claim before insurance kicks in. Can be fixed (€50-€200) or percentage-based. Higher excess means lower premiums but more out-of-pocket costs.
Why it matters for expats:
A €100 excess means you pay the first €100 of each vet bill. For chronic conditions requiring regular treatment, excess payments add up. Consider your pet's health when choosing excess level.
Copago
Co-payment/co-pay
Percentage of the vet bill you pay after meeting the excess. For example, with 20% co-pay on a €500 bill (after €100 excess), you'd pay €100 + €80 = €180 total.
Why it matters for expats:
Not all policies have co-pay, but many do. A policy with no excess but 30% co-pay could cost more than one with €50 excess and no co-pay. Calculate real costs carefully.
Límite anual
Annual coverage limit
Maximum amount your insurer pays per year. Ranges from €2,000 to €15,000+ depending on policy. Once reached, you pay all remaining costs that year. Limits reset at renewal.
Why it matters for expats:
Serious conditions can exceed €5,000 in treatment. If your limit is €3,000, you're exposed to significant costs. Choose limits based on worst-case scenarios, not average vet visits.
Límite por condición
Per-condition limit
Maximum payout for treating any single condition. Once reached, that condition is never covered again. Different from annual limits which reset. Common in time-limited policies.
Why it matters for expats:
A €2,000 per-condition limit sounds reasonable until your pet develops a chronic illness needing €500/month treatment. Lifetime policies without per-condition limits offer better protection.
Coverage Types
(7 terms)Gastos veterinarios
Veterinary expenses
Coverage for vet consultations, treatments, medications, hospitalization, and surgery. The core of any pet insurance policy. What's included varies—read policy details carefully.
Why it matters for expats:
This is why you buy pet insurance. Check what's included: consultations, tests, imaging, surgery, medications, hospital stays. Some policies cap certain treatment types separately.
Cirugía de mascota
Pet surgery coverage
Coverage for surgical procedures—from minor operations to complex emergency surgery. Includes surgeon fees, anesthesia, operating room, and recovery. Often the largest vet expense.
Why it matters for expats:
Emergency surgery can cost €1,500-€4,000. Tumor removal, cruciate repair, foreign body extraction—these aren't rare. Surgery coverage is essential for any pet owner.
Enfermedades hereditarias
Hereditary conditions
Genetic conditions passed from parents to offspring—hip dysplasia in large dogs, heart conditions in certain breeds, eye problems in pugs, etc. Some policies exclude these; others cover them.
Why it matters for expats:
Many popular breeds have known hereditary issues. If you have a bulldog, shepherd, or other breed-prone pet, ensure hereditary conditions are covered. Exclusions leave expensive gaps.
Condiciones preexistentes
Pre-existing conditions
Health issues your pet had before insurance started. These are typically excluded from coverage permanently. Includes conditions showing symptoms before the policy began.
Why it matters for expats:
Insure your pet while young and healthy. Once a condition exists, it's excluded forever. A healthy puppy getting coverage has no pre-existing exclusions; an older dog with allergies will have those excluded.
Responsabilidad civil de perros
Dog liability insurance
Coverage if your dog injures someone or damages property. Legally mandatory in Spain for PPP breeds, but recommended for all dogs. Covers legal costs and compensation claims.
Why it matters for expats:
If your dog bites someone or causes an accident, you're liable. Compensation claims can reach tens of thousands of euros. Liability coverage is often included in dog policies but check the limits.
Cuidados preventivos
Preventive care/wellness
Coverage for routine care—vaccinations, annual checkups, dental cleaning, parasite prevention. Not standard in all policies; often offered as an add-on or in premium tiers.
Why it matters for expats:
Preventive care keeps pets healthy but adds up: €100-€300/year for vaccines, checkups, and treatments. If your policy includes it, you're budgeting healthcare more predictably.
Terapia del comportamiento
Behavioral therapy
Coverage for veterinary behaviorists or certified trainers treating anxiety, aggression, or other behavioral issues. Some premium policies include this; many exclude it.
Why it matters for expats:
Behavioral problems can require expensive professional help. If your pet develops separation anxiety or aggression, treatment costs €500-€2,000+. Check if your policy covers behavioral specialists.
Claims & Process
(3 terms)Período de espera
Waiting period
Time after policy start before coverage activates. Prevents fraud (insuring already-sick pets). Typically 14-30 days for accidents, 30-90 days for illness, 6-12 months for specific conditions.
Why it matters for expats:
You can't insure a sick pet and claim immediately. Waiting periods are standard. Insure your pet when healthy—conditions developing during the waiting period become pre-existing.
Reclamación de mascota
Pet insurance claim
Process of submitting vet bills for reimbursement. Typically involves claim form, itemized invoice, and sometimes vet records. Most claims are reimbursed within 2-4 weeks.
Why it matters for expats:
Keep all vet invoices detailed and itemized. Snap photos of receipts. Many insurers now have apps for easy claim submission. Understand your policy's claim process before you need it.
Reembolso
Reimbursement
How you receive payment for covered claims. Most pet insurance works on reimbursement—you pay the vet, then claim back. Some policies offer direct vet payment for large bills.
Why it matters for expats:
Budget for upfront vet payments. Reimbursement typically takes 2-4 weeks. If you can't afford to pay first, look for policies with direct vet payment options for emergencies.
People & Roles
(2 terms)Veterinario autorizado
Authorized veterinarian
Some policies require using approved vets or provide higher reimbursement for network veterinarians. Others let you use any licensed vet. Check your policy's requirements.
Why it matters for expats:
Most Spanish pet insurance allows any licensed vet, but some have preferred networks. If you have a trusted vet, ensure your policy covers their services at full rate.
Cuidador nombrado
Named caretaker
Person(s) designated to care for your pet and make insurance claims on your behalf. Useful when pets are cared for by family members or if you travel frequently.
Why it matters for expats:
If someone else often takes your pet to the vet, having them named on the policy simplifies claims. Useful for shared households or when family helps with pet care.
Documents
(4 terms)Cartilla veterinaria
Pet health booklet
Official record of your pet's vaccinations, treatments, and health history. Essential for insurance applications, boarding, and travel. Keep it updated with all vet visits.
Why it matters for expats:
Insurers may request your pet's cartilla to verify health history and pre-existing conditions. A complete, updated health booklet also helps vets provide better care.
Microchip de mascota
Pet microchip
Mandatory identification chip implanted in pets in Spain. Contains unique ID number linked to owner details in national database. Required for dogs and increasingly for cats.
Why it matters for expats:
Microchipping is legally required for dogs in Spain. Insurance applications typically need your pet's microchip number. The chip also helps reunite lost pets with owners.
Pasaporte de mascota
Pet passport
EU pet passport for travel between EU countries. Contains microchip number, vaccination records (especially rabies), and health certifications. Required for crossing borders with pets.
Why it matters for expats:
If you travel within Europe with your pet, you need this document. It's also useful for insurance as it provides verified health history. Obtain from your vet.
Perros PPP
Potentially dangerous dogs (PPP)
Legally defined category of dog breeds in Spain requiring special license, liability insurance, and registration. Includes pit bulls, Rottweilers, Staffordshire terriers, and others.
Why it matters for expats:
If you own a PPP breed, liability insurance is legally mandatory (minimum €120,000 coverage). You also need a special license and registration. Non-compliance carries fines.
Ready to get pet insurance in Spain?
Now that you understand the terminology, let us find the right coverage for your pet. We explain everything in English and help you compare options.
Get Pet Insurance QuotesCommon questions
Is pet insurance mandatory in Spain?
Health insurance is not mandatory, but liability insurance IS required for dogs classified as PPP (potentially dangerous breeds). All dogs must be microchipped and registered. Liability coverage is recommended for all dog owners.
What are pre-existing conditions?
Health issues your pet had before insurance started—these are excluded from coverage. This includes conditions showing symptoms before the policy began. Insure pets young and healthy to avoid exclusions.
What's the waiting period for pet insurance?
The time before coverage activates—typically 14-30 days for accidents, 30-90 days for illness. This prevents people from insuring already-sick pets. Conditions developing during waiting periods become pre-existing.
Should I choose lifetime or per-condition coverage?
Lifetime coverage is better for chronic conditions like diabetes or allergies—limits reset annually. Per-condition policies cap payouts per illness forever. Lifetime costs more but provides better long-term protection.
Are hereditary conditions covered?
It depends on the policy. Many breed-specific conditions (hip dysplasia, heart problems) are hereditary. Some policies exclude these; others cover them. Check carefully if you have a breed prone to genetic conditions.
How do pet insurance claims work?
Most policies reimburse you—pay the vet, submit the invoice, receive payment (minus excess and co-pay) in 2-4 weeks. Some insurers pay vets directly for large bills. Keep detailed, itemized receipts.
Related guides
Learn more about insurance in Spain
Pet Insurance Spain Guide 2026
Complete guide to pet insurance for dogs, cats, and other animals in Spain.
Moving to Spain with Pets
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Health Insurance for Expats
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