
In Austria, all dogs over three months must be microchipped and registered in the nationwide pet database (Heimtierdatenbank) for identification and recovery if lost or stolen. Imported dogs from other EU countries also require microchipping.
What Is a Dog’s Microchip?
A microchip is a tiny device, only a few millimetres in size, that’s inserted under the dog’s skin, usually at the neck. Scanners can read this chip to reveal a unique ID, linking the pet to the owner’s details in the database. A vet inserts the chip, and the owner covers the cost.
How Does Dog Registration Work?
These are the steps to register your dog in Austria. First, prepare the required information beforehand:
– Owner’s details (name, address, ID type, and number).
– Dog’s details (breed, gender, birthdate, microchip number, and optionally a pet passport number).
Next, select a registration method:
– Online via the ID Austria system.
– Through a vet, who may provide registration alongside the chip insertion (additional fees may apply).
What Are the Costs of Registering Your Dog in Austria?
Microchip insertion costs depend on the vet; typically, it’s around €84 if you opt for both chip and registration at the vet. Registering via ID Austria alone costs €20.84, the same as for re-registration (e.g., if ownership changes).
Penalties
Owners who fail to comply with microchipping and registration rules for their dogs could face fines of up to €7,500.
Vienna Dog Licence
In addition to microchipping and registration, owners of the following dog breeds must take a Vienna Dog Licence exam, which is a multiple-choice test assessing the owner’s knowledge of dogs and proper handling techniques:
– American Staffordshire Terrier
– Bull Terrier
– Dogo Argentino
– Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)
– Bull Mastiff
– Mastín Español (Spanish Mastiff)
– Mastino Napoletano (Neapolitan Mastiff)
– Pit Bull Terrier
– Rottweiler
– Staffordshire Bull Terrier
– Tosa Inu
– All mixes of these breeds
You can register for the exam here.
Dog Population in Vienna
As of September 2022, 56,792 dogs were registered in Vienna. Each year, around 500 stray dogs are found; although many are microchipped, only around 40% are registered in the database, complicating efforts to reunite them with their owners.