Taking a taxi or rideshare with your dog should be simple. In practice, it comes down to the driver, the city, and whether your furry companion is travelling in a carrier or not. This guide tells you exactly what you're entitled to, how each platform works, and what you can do when someone says no.
What the law says — the Animal Welfare Act and taxis
The Animal Welfare Act (Ley 7/2023), in force in Spain since late 2023, establishes that companion animals must be able to access public transport. However, the law delegates the specific regulation of taxi travel to regional governments and local councils.
That means there's no single national rule that requires every taxi to accept dogs. Here's what does exist:
- A blanket obligation to accept assistance dogs and guide dogs in all taxis, no exceptions and no extra charge. This is regulated at the national level.
- City-by-city rules for all other dogs. Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and most major cities have local ordinances that allow travelling with pets in a taxi under certain conditions — usually: inside a carrier, or in the boot with the driver's permission.
Refusing service to someone with an assistance dog is discrimination and carries legal consequences. For other dogs, drivers have more discretion — though in practice, large cities are fairly open to it.
Standard taxis — how it works in practice
Most taxi companies in major cities will accept dogs travelling in a carrier. The usual condition: the carrier goes in the boot or on the floor of the back seat, not on the seat itself.
How to book a taxi with your dog:
- If you call ahead, mention that you have a pet and give a rough idea of size. That way the driver is prepared and there are no nasty surprises.
- If you're using an app (MyTaxi/FREE NOW, Cabify Taxi, local municipal apps), check whether there's a "with pet" option — many cities already have that category.
- On the street, let the driver know before you get in. If they don't want to take you, they're within their rights to decline (except for assistance dogs) — just flag down another one.
What makes drivers more likely to say yes:
- A closed carrier: the driver knows the animal won't be roaming around the cab
- A small dog: there's far less hesitation than with, say, a German Shepherd
- Offering to put a blanket or cover in the boot: it builds trust
- A calm, matter-of-fact approach: asking confidently rather than apologetically really does make a difference
Uber with your dog — the Uber Pet option
Uber has a Uber Pet category in Spain, available in Madrid, Barcelona and a handful of other cities. It's a dedicated service for travelling with animals: the driver has explicitly agreed to carry pets and there's a small surcharge on the fare.
How to book it: in the Uber app, when you select your ride type, look for "Uber Pet" among the available options. If it doesn't show up, it's not available in your area yet.
Typical Uber Pet conditions:
- Up to 2 pets per trip
- Your pet can ride in the back seat — a carrier isn't strictly required, though having one always makes things smoother
- The driver may ask that the animal doesn't go on the seat, in which case it travels in the boot or on the floor
If Uber Pet isn't available in your city and you request a standard Uber with a dog, the driver can refuse. There's no obligation if they haven't opted into the Pet category.
Cabify with your dog
Cabify doesn't have a dedicated pet category, but their general policy allows travelling with domestic animals as long as they're in a carrier. The condition: the carrier must go in the boot or on the floor — not on the seat itself.
In practice, acceptance varies from driver to driver. Add a note when booking to say you'll have a pet in a carrier — most drivers are fine with it.
Bolt with your dog
Bolt doesn't have a specific pet category in Spain. The policy is similar to Cabify's: pet in a carrier, and flag it in the trip notes. Whether it's accepted is down to the individual driver.
Assistance dogs — rights with no exceptions
Assistance dogs — guide dogs for blind people, hearing dogs for deaf people, service dogs for people with reduced mobility or physical disabilities, alert dogs for people with epilepsy or diabetes — have a different legal status from regular pets.
Ley 10/2023 and the corresponding regional legislation require all means of transport — including taxis and rideshare vehicles — to accept them at no extra charge and with no right of refusal. An accredited assistance dog cannot be turned away from any taxi, Uber, Cabify or Bolt.
If you're refused service with an accredited assistance dog, you can report it to the transport regulatory body in your region. The penalties are substantial.
What to do if you're turned away
For dogs that aren't assistance animals:
- Accept the refusal — the driver is usually within their legal rights
- Request another vehicle — on apps like FREE NOW you can cancel and rebook without penalty
- Use the right category — if Uber Pet or something similar exists in your city, use it to avoid rejections
- Always bring a carrier — it's the single most effective way to get a yes
For accredited assistance dogs:
- Show the documentation that accredits your dog as an assistance animal
- If they still refuse, note down the taxi number or the driver's details
- File a complaint with the transport regulatory authority in your region
Practical tips for travelling by taxi or rideshare
Always bring a carrier if you can. It's not compulsory in every situation, but it's the single biggest factor in avoiding refusals.
Always give advance notice before getting in. Whether you're calling ahead or talking to the driver in person — a last-minute surprise generates far more resistance than a heads-up.
Keep a blanket or sheet handy. Offering it to protect the upholstery is a small gesture that many drivers genuinely appreciate, and it can completely change their attitude.
A calm dog makes everything easier. If your companion is anxious and barking, the chances of the driver agreeing drop sharply. A short walk before the journey can work wonders.
If this trip is part of a bigger adventure, you'll find more information on managing car travel and other transport options over at queviajemasperro.com.