Pet Microchip in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: The Ultimate Guide

Your dog runs away, and without a pet microchip, finding it becomes like looking for a needle in a haystack. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, microchipping is now a legal requirement, but the regulations differ significantly.

What exactly is a pet microchip and how does it work?

A pet microchip is a grain-of-rice-sized transponder that stores a 15-digit number. This number is unique worldwide and linked to the owner’s data. The chip itself contains no personal information; this is stored in the database of the register with which you enrol your dog.

Vets, animal shelters and authorities can read out the chip number using a scanner. This allows them to find out within seconds who the dog belongs to. The chip does not store medical data; this is a common misconception.

Which microchip requirement applies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland?

The microchip requirement differs considerably between the three countries.

Germany: Since 2019, all dogs must be microchipped and registered with a register.

Austria: The microchip requirement has been in place since 2010. Notification to the pet database must be made within one month of marking, entry into the country or taking over ownership, and in any case before transfer (§ 24a Animal Welfare Act). Failure to notify constitutes an administrative offence in Austria, punishable under § 38 of the Animal Welfare Act with a fine of up to €3,750, or up to €7,500 in cases of repetition.

Switzerland: In Switzerland, dogs must be marked with a microchip no later than three months after birth and in any case before transfer, according to Article 17 paragraph 1 of the Epidemic Ordinance (TSchV). The marking is carried out by a vet practice located in Switzerland, which also issues an invoice for it, as per Article 17 paragraph 2 of the TSchV. Anyone importing a dog must first notify the competent authority in their canton of residence (Article 16 paragraph 3 of the TSchV) and have the marking checked by a vet within ten days of import (Article 17b paragraph 1 of the TSchV). Dogs imported temporarily for holidays or other short stays are exempt.

How does chip implantation work at the vet?

Microchipping takes just a few seconds and is similar to a normal vaccination. The vet injects the chip under the skin with a thicker needle, usually on the left side between the shoulder blades. Anaesthesia is not required.

Your dog feels a brief sting, and then it is over. Puppies can be microchipped from the eighth week of life. After insertion, the vet immediately checks with the scanner whether the chip is functioning and in the correct position.

Complications are rare: Occasionally, the chip migrates under the skin but does not lose its function. Infections occur in less than one percent of procedures.

With which registers do you enrol your dog?

After microchipping, you must register your dog. Here are the contact points:

Germany: TASSO e.V. (free of charge) or the German Pet Register (free of charge). Both work with vets and authorities.

Austria: With the municipality or city where you live. Notification is processed via the federal central pet register.

Switzerland: In the dog database, referred to as a database under Article 30 paragraph 2 of the Epidemic Act (TSchG) by Article 16 paragraph 6 of the TSchV. The vet practice enters the data from the marking (Article 17c paragraph 1 of the TSchV). The parties involved must record sales and purchases, as well as transfers or takeovers for longer than three months, themselves within ten days (Article 17d paragraph 1 of the TSchV).

You receive a pet ID card with the chip number after registration. Keep this safe; it is often mandatory when travelling abroad.

How much does microchipping cost and who pays?

The owner generally bears the costs.

Germany: €25–45 at the vet. TASSO registration is free of charge; other registers sometimes charge fees.

Austria: €30–50 for microchipping, plus a €14.50 registration fee with the municipality.

Switzerland: CHF 50–80 at the vet, plus CHF 35 for registration in the dog database.

Animal shelters usually cover the costs prior to rehoming. For service dogs, the employer pays.

How can you identify the origin based on the chip number?

The 15-digit chip number reveals your dog’s origin. The first three digits show either the country code or the manufacturer code.

German chips: usually start with 276 (country code Germany)
Austrian chips: start with 040 (country code Austria)
Swiss chips: start with 756 (country code Switzerland)

Chips starting with 991 come from international manufacturers, typical for dogs imported from abroad via animal welfare organisations.

You can look up any chip number on europetnet.com and find out which register the dog should be listed in.

Do GPS trackers or ID tags replace the chip?

No, they merely supplement it at best. The legal requirement for a chip allows no alternative.

GPS trackers show you your dog’s current location, but only as long as the battery lasts and the tracker remains on the collar. ID tags on the collar are easily lost or torn off.

The chip sits permanently under the skin and functions without a battery for the dog’s entire life.

Do I need to update the chip number when moving or selling?

Yes, absolutely. In case of a change of address, phone number, or owner, you report the change to the register. This is usually done online and takes just a few minutes.

Can all vets read any chip?

Modern readers recognise all common chip standards. Older devices sometimes have problems with chips from other countries, so you should always carry the pet passport for dogs imported from abroad.

What happens if the chip is defective?

Chips fail extremely rarely. If the reader does not display a number, the chip may be located elsewhere. The vet can search systematically with the reader.

Does the chip harm my dog’s health?

No, the chip is biologically inert and does not trigger any reactions. It contains no battery and only sends a signal when being read. Cancer cases linked to chips have not been documented among millions of chipped animals.

Can I read my dog’s chip number myself?

Only with a chip reader. Some vet practices lend these out, or you can buy a simple device online for 20-30 euros. This makes sense if you have several animals or are breeding.