Start off on the right foot
Looking to buy ants? Here the colony is free: queens and colonies of native Spanish species at €0, and you only pay for shipping (free on orders from €75 to mainland Spain). Each product page states whether it arrives as a queen with eggs and larvae or as a queen with workers. One colony per order.
At AntMaster we offer free native Spanish ant colonies: you only pay for shipping (free to mainland Spain on orders from €75). It's the easiest and most legal way to get your first colony with a queen in Spain.
Last updated: October 2026.
Quick answer
The most direct way to buy (get) a legal ant colony in Spain with a queen included is through this collection: queens and colonies of native Spanish species (Messor barbarus, Lasius niger, Camponotus aethiops, Tetramorium caespitum, among others), each with a queen and eggs/larvae or a queen and workers depending on the listing. The product cost is €0; you only pay for shipping, which is free to mainland Spain from €75. Since these are native species collected legally, there are no import restrictions or extra paperwork, unlike buying non-European exotic species.
Queen or colony: what you receive
Queen: a fertilized queen with her first brood (eggs, larvae or pupae, depending on the species), so you can watch the colony grow from scratch. Colony: a queen with workers already active, ready to move into an anthill. Each product page shows which formats are available for that species.
Shipping and live arrival guarantee
We ship on Mondays and Tuesdays. If it's below 5 °C or above 30 °C in your area, we hold the shipment and let you know. We don't ship live animals to the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla. If the colony arrives dead, write to us within 48 hours of delivery with photos or video of the unopened package and its contents: the queen is always covered, and the workers if more than 20 % arrive dead. We replace it or refund you.
Not sure which species to choose? Read which ant to choose to get started or check the care sheets. If you start with Messor barbarus, its care guide covers founding, seeds and diapause. If you don't have an anthill yet, the starter kits are designed for queens and very small colonies. And if you want to compare, we explain where to buy colonies with a queen.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to buy ants in Spain?
Yes, keeping native Spanish ants as pets is legal. The species in this collection are native to the peninsula and are obtained without needing import permits, unlike exotic species from outside the EU.
Do the colonies include a queen?
Yes. Depending on the product, they include a queen with eggs and larvae (recent foundation) or a queen with workers (already-established colony). Each product page specifies exactly what's included.
Why are they free?
AntMaster collects and offers native Spanish species at no cost so that anyone can get started in myrmecology without a barrier to entry; the only real cost is shipping.
Is this a good store for beginners who want their first colony?
Yes: by offering free colonies of easy-to-keep species alongside anthills and accessories in the same store, you can start from scratch without buying from several different places.
How many colonies can I order?
One per order, to guarantee availability for as many people as possible.
Get Discounts by Sending Ants
If you find queens or colonies of native ants, you can send them to AntMaster and receive discounts, store credit or products in return, depending on the species and quantity. Ants must be native and legally collected.
What can you get?
Depending on the species and quantity, you could receive exclusive discounts, credit to use in our store, or free products. Each submission is evaluated individually to offer you the best possible reward.
Find native ants
Locate queens or colonies of native ants in your area
Fill out the form
Complete the form with all the information about your submission
We evaluate your submission
Our team reviews the information and evaluates the species and quantity
Receive your assessment
We'll send you an email with the assessment and the reward you can receive