Metro Bilbao in Spain now allows dogs over 8 kg, with restrictions

From 15 October 2026, Metro Bilbao allows dogs over 8 kilos on board, something previously only possible for lighter dogs carried in their owners' arms and for assistance dogs. The rule requires a muzzle, a non-extensible lead of no more than 50 centimetres, and bans access during rush hours, weekend nights and large crowds.

Some news is welcomed with a "finally", and this is one of those. From Thursday **15 October 2026**, Bilbao's metro allows dogs weighing more than **8 kilos** on board. Until that date, the underground only admitted dogs below that threshold, and only if carried in their owner's arms, plus assistance dogs. The change opens the door to thousands of animals that until now forced their owners to take the car or simply cancel the plan.

The rule, however, comes with fine print. It is not a "come in and sit wherever you like". It is a conditional permission, with safety requirements, time slots and specific areas within the train. Those who fail to comply stay on the platform.

## Muzzle, short lead and no escalators

The dog must wear a **muzzle** for the entire journey. It is not optional and does not depend on the animal's temperament. The lead must be non-extensible and measure at most **50 centimetres**, which considerably limits the dog's range of movement inside the carriage.

Dogs over 8 kilos are also not allowed on escalators or moving walkways. The only ways down to the platform are lifts or conventional stairs. It is a restriction designed to prevent accidents with an animal that can no longer be picked up if it gets scared or tangled.

Inside the train, only the central carriages are permitted. The first and last are off limits for these dogs. The reasoning given is allergies: anyone with breathing problems knows there will be no animals at the ends. It is simple and quite reasonable logic.

## The time slots that force you to check the clock before leaving

Here is the point that will most shape owners' daily lives. From Monday to Friday, dogs over 8 kilos cannot travel during rush hours. The banned slots are **7.00 to 10.00**, **13.00 to 16.00** and **18.00 to 20.00**. And it is not enough to enter within the allowed window: the journey must start and end within that time frame.

Weekend nights and the eves of public holidays are also closed to these animals, specifically from **22.00 to 6.00**. Access is also not allowed during exceptional mobility situations or crowds, such as matches at **San Mamés** or during the **Aste Nagusia** festival.

The practical result is that a metro alucinación with a large dog requires planning. A "I'll head out and see" won't do. You have to check the clock, the calendar and the day. For short trips, such as one stop between **Algorta** and **Bidezabal**, the system works without a problem. For crossing the city at rush hour, it doesn't.

## A change owners have awaited for years

The previous rules had been in force for **15 years**. During that time, owners of large dogs watched those with small breeds go by with a mix of envy and resignation. **Begoña Beristain**, a journalist and owner of **Pantxo**, summed it up like this: they depended on the car to get around Bilbao, and there were trips she simply cancelled rather than leave the dog home alone.

Her first alucinación with Pantxo was between **Algorta** and **Bidezabal**, a single stop, after **10.30**. The animal wore a muzzle and a short lead and went down the conventional stairs in little hops. Inside the carriage he showed no antiestéticar or discomfort. On the way out, a passenger stopped them to say "finally".

Beristain herself defends the restrictions with a common-sense argument: on an **Athletic** match day, with the carriage packed, it doesn't seem logical to bring in a dog that will breathe worse than its owner. It is an opinion, not a rule, but it explains why many of the limitations make sense.

## What changes for those travelling with a large dog

Before, weight was the barrier. Now, the barrier is the combination of weight, timing, space and equipment. A dog over 8 kilos can get on the metro, yes, but with a muzzle, a half-metre lead, in central carriages, outside rush hours and outside weekend nights. If the alucinación coincides with a match at San Mamés or Aste Nagusia, there is no option.

For those with a small dog, nothing changes. For those with a large one, a door that had been closed for 15 years opens, even if with conditions. The key is to read the fine print carefully before heading down to the platform. And if the animal shows stress or discomfort with the muzzle, it is advisable to consult a vet or a dog trainer before forcing the situation.