Why Spain’s controversial bullfighting law is facing its biggest challenge in years

Spain’s long-running debate over bullfighting is set to return to the national spotlight as Congress prepares to discuss a proposal that could remove the legal protections currently granted as part of the country’s cultural heritage.

The parliamentary initiative seeks to repeal Law 18/2013, the legislation that officially recognises bullfighting as part of Spain’s cultural heritage. If successful, it would remove the national legal framework that has protected the tradition for more than a decade and could hand greater decision-making powers to Spain’s autonomous communities and local authorities.

The proposal has reignited one of Spain’s most divisive cultural debates, with supporters arguing that bullfighting represents an important historical tradition, while opponents say it no longer reflects modern attitudes towards animal welfare.

What would change?

The proposed repeal does not automatically ban bullfighting across Spain. Instead, removing the national protection would make it easier for regional governments and municipalities to introduce their own restrictions or prohibitions without the existing cultural heritage legislation acting as a safeguard.

Campaigners behind the initiative argue that culture should evolve alongside society and that legal protection should not be afforded to spectacles involving animals. The proposal follows a citizen-backed legislative initiative that gathered well over the minimum number of signatures required to reach Parliament.

Political battle lines drawn

The issue is expected to expose divisions within Spain’s political landscape.

Left-wing parties, including Sumar, have supported opening the debate, while the Partido Popular and Vox remain firmly opposed to removing the law. The position of the governing Socialist Party (PSOE) is again expected to prove crucial, with its stance potentially determining whether the proposal progresses through Parliament.

Previous attempts to challenge the legal status of bullfighting have generated heated exchanges both inside and outside Congress, highlighting how deeply the issue divides public opinion.

A centuries-old tradition under scrutiny

Bullfighting continues to attract thousands of spectators to major fairs in cities such as Madrid, Seville and Pamplona, while also facing sustained criticism from animal welfare organisations and campaign groups.

For supporters, the debate centres on preserving a tradition they consider part of Spain’s cultural identity. Opponents argue that legal protection is no longer justified and that individual regions should be free to determine whether bullfighting has a place in their communities.

As Congress prepares for another high-profile discussion, the outcome could shape the future legal status of one of Spain’s oldest and most controversial traditions, even if any eventual legislative changes remain some distance away.