Guide dogs granted access to all public spaces across the country

Today, the Government assured all Spaniards with disabilities that they can access any public space with their guide or assistance dogs anywhere in the country without facing obstruction or discrimination, regardless of whether regional legislation permits it. This is established by the royal decree drafted by the Ministry of Social Rights and approved today by the Council of Ministers.

The regulation aims to offer a more independent life to blind or visually impaired individuals, who make up the majority of these dogs' users. It also seeks to expand unrestricted mobility for people with hearing disabilities or deafblindness, who require trained dogs to alert them to sounds and their sources; for citizens with physical disabilities who need this support and assistance in daily activities; for individuals with autism spectrum disorders who must be assisted by these dogs to increase their personal autonomy; and for Spaniards with conditions that cause recurrent crises with sensory disconnection, who need to be accompanied by a trained dog for medical alerts. Similarly, the decree authorises all victims of gender or sexual violence with assistance dogs to enter shelters, care centres, or similar establishments with them.

The decree ensures that people with disabilities can access public or publicly used places with their assistance dogs, including privately owned venues, anywhere in Spain. They can enter educational, cultural, sports, or health centres, except for operating rooms and other areas where special hygienic conditions must be guaranteed. They will also have the freedom to enter shops, supermarkets, or markets, tourist accommodations, hospitality and catering establishments, museums, and theatres. Similarly, access to beaches, recreational areas, and pool and water park enclosures is guaranteed, although dogs are not allowed in the water in the latter.

Users can access their workplace with their assistance dog and keep it by their side at all times. They have the right to travel with it on public transport without being charged an additional ticket or fee, extending this provision to air travel, provided they notify the airline or operator in advance and comply with applicable regulations for transporting assistance dogs.

The regulation, which includes some limitations and exceptions related to public health or the safety of the person and the animal, means that any impediments or denials of access experienced by a person needing an assistance dog will be considered violations of the right to accessibility, equality, and non-discrimination, and will be punishable.

The royal decree describes the relationship between the person with a disability and their assistance dog as a unit throughout the Spanish territory and will require these animals to be trained for their functions by professionals with official accreditation for the education, socialisation, and training of assistance dogs, whether they belong to entities or are self-employed professionals.

The state regulation includes specific measures to improve the welfare of these dogs, with care and respect obligations for users and for the entities or professionals responsible for their training. The dogs are recognised for their right to rest, establishing that they can cease service when they reach ten years of age, but maintaining their right to continue accessing public spaces once their active service period has ended.