Assistance dogs during the trip

What is an assistance dog?

An assistance dog is defined as one that, having successfully completed a selection and training process at a specialised and officially recognised entity, has acquired the necessary skills to provide service and assistance to a person with a disability. Therefore, only officially accredited assistance dogs are allowed to travel on board the bus.

The following are considered assistance dogs:

  • Guide dogs for people with visual impairments.
  • Hearing dogs for people with hearing impairments.
  • Dogs for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Service dogs for people with physical disabilities.
  • Medical alert dogs for people with diabetes, epilepsy, or other medical conditions.
  • Assistance dogs in training.

Important: therapy or emotional support dogs.
In Spain, emotional support or therapy dogs are not legally considered assistance dogs, as specified under applicable regulations (Article 3 of Law 7/2023 of 28 March). Their transport is governed by the general rules for pet transport. You can check the full conditions here .

Travel conditions and onboard comfort

  • Free of charge: your assistance dog travels free of charge, and no prior seat reservation is required for them.
  • Onboard location: the dog must travel by your side in the passenger cabin, sitting quietly at your feet throughout the journey (without occupying a seat or travelling in the luggage compartment).
  • Mandatory identification: the dog must wear a leash at all times, as well as a visible official harness or badge.
  • Hygiene and health: your dog must travel in an optimal state of cleanliness and free from external parasites (such as fleas or ticks), always complying with the health conditions that you can consult here .
  • Behaviour and control: the dog must maintain peaceful and calm behaviour throughout the journey, remaining under your effective control to ensure safety and peace on board.

Required travel documentation

  • Official accreditation of the assistance dog team: an ID card or document issued by the competent authority of your Autonomous Community (or international equivalent) officially linking you to your assistance dog.
  • Subsidiary accreditations: in the absence of regional administrative accreditation, the following will be accepted:
    1. An ID card or certificate from the training centre, provided it is a full member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
    2. A guide dog user credential issued by ONCE or the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation.
  • Dogs in training: trainers and educators may exercise their right of access by presenting proof of status via documentation issued by an officially recognised training centre.

More information and customer support

At Alsa, we want you to enjoy an excellent travel experience. Our onboard staff will provide you with all the information and assistance you need to settle in and travel with peace of mind.

In the event of an incident or evacuation protocol, our team is trained to prioritise your care and ensure that you and your assistance dog stay together at all times during the process.

If you have any further questions regarding your travel with an assistance dog, you can contact our Customer Service team via our website or by calling (+34) 91 020 7007 (standard rate) / (+34) 902 42 22 42 (special rate applies).