Dog microchipping in Europe: the rules country by country
· By pawfie
Across most of Europe a dog must now be microchipped and registered in a national database, and the EU has agreed to make that universal for all dogs and cats. The details — deadlines, who registers the dog, fines — still differ by country. Here is what applies in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and Poland.
In short
- EU: microchipping and registration will become compulsory for all dogs and cats, in stages.
- Czech Republic: a new state dog register since 1 July 2026.
- Slovakia: chip and registration compulsory for all dogs since 1 November 2019.
- Austria: chip by 12 weeks and registration in the state pet database.
- Germany: no national rule; it depends on the federal state.
- Poland: a national register is coming, with the main obligations from June 2028.
Why the chip alone is not enough
A microchip is a transponder the size of a grain of rice, placed under the skin of the neck. On its own it carries nothing but a number. Only a database entry links that number to you — and that is what a shelter, the police or a vet uses to reach you when your dog is found.
The commonest failure is not a missing chip but out-of-date details. After moving house or changing your phone number, get the record updated.
The new EU rules
In November 2025 the Council and the European Parliament agreed on the first common EU rules for keeping and breeding dogs and cats. Microchipping and registration in a national database will be compulsory for all dogs and cats — first for animals that are sold or handed over, then, after a transition period, for every dog and cat. National databases are to be made interoperable, so that an animal can be traced across borders.
Czech Republic: the Central Dog Register
Chipping has been compulsory in the Czech Republic since 2020. Since 1 July 2026 every dog must also be entered in the state Central Dog Register, run by the Czech Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons.
- A puppy is registered before it goes to its new owner.
- An adult dog at the latest at its next rabies vaccination.
- The entry is made by a private vet at the owner's request; the fee is set by the practice, usually 150–500 CZK.
- Foreign residents staying longer than six months register their dog too, unless it is already registered in another EU country.
- Fines go up to 50,000 CZK for individuals and 300,000 CZK for businesses.
Slovakia
Dogs born after 1 September 2018 must be chipped by 12 weeks of age, and all dogs since 1 November 2019. The vet who chips the dog enters it in the Central Register of Companion Animals. When a dog changes hands, the previous owner must report it within 21 days. A vet may not treat a dog without a chip.
Austria
Every dog must be chipped by its 12th week and registered in the state Heimtierdatenbank — within a month of chipping, arrival or purchase, and always before it is first handed on. Failing to register can cost up to 3,750 euros, and up to 7,500 euros for a repeat offence.
Germany
There is no national microchipping requirement; dog law is made by the federal states. Some require a chip for every dog — Lower Saxony, Berlin and Hamburg, for example — while others require it only for dogs on a list of dangerous breeds. Registration is usually with a private register such as TASSO or FINDEFIX, both free of charge. Check the dog law of the state you live in.
Poland
In June 2026 Poland published its law on a national register of marked dogs and cats, KROPiK. Chipping and registration will be compulsory for all dogs. The main obligations apply from June 2028; puppies born after that are registered straight away, and owners of older dogs will have three years. The government has capped the price of chipping and of registration at 50 zloty each.
Travelling with a dog
Between EU countries the minimum is already the same everywhere: a microchip, a rabies vaccination given after the chip, and an EU pet passport. After the first vaccination you have to wait 21 days before travelling. The chip must be in place before the vaccination — a vaccination given to an unchipped dog does not count.
What to do today
Check that the database holds your current details, and note the chip number and the date of the next rabies vaccination. In the app that is a single line on your dog's profile, with a reminder that arrives in good time.
Situation as of September 2026. Rules change — for anything binding, check with your vet or your national veterinary authority.
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