Strasbourg

EU Parliament's green light for compulsory microchipping of dogs and cats: what's new

The novelties for four-legged friends affect breeding and traceability. Retailers, breeders and shelters will have four years to adapt to the new rules, while for simple owners the obligation will come into force after 10 years for dogs and 15 for cats

by Letizia Giostra

28 April 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

The microchip obligation
What is the timeframe for compliance
Bans: from mating limits to choke collars

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

White smoke in the European Parliament for the first EU rules on breeding and traceability for dogs and cats. The text was approved with 558 votes in favour, 35 against and 52 abstentions. Before entry into force, it will have to wait for the EU Council step. The new rules - from compulsory microchipping to a ban on mutilation for exhibition purposes - are in addition to the European Commission's non-commercial travel of pets last week.

The regulations that have just been passed are aimed at ensuring the welfare of the pet animal to protect it from disease and from illegal traders. The provisions then extend to other topics, from mating to beauty contests. Outside the amendments, however, are dogs and cats used for scientific purposes.

The microchip obligation

All dogs and cats in the EU, including privately owned ones, will have to be identifiable with a microchip and registered in interoperable national databases. The rules also extend to animals imported from third countries, which will have to be microchipped before entering the EU. Owners from abroad will also be required to pre-register the animal in a database at least five working days before arrival.

What is the timeframe for compliance

Retailers, breeders and shelters will have four years to comply with the new regulations, while for simple owners the obligation will come into force after 10 years for dogs and 15 years for cats. The regulation does not apply to farmers who offer shelter on their farm to stray cats if they do not put the felines on the market.

The aim is in fact to combat illegal trade because - as explained in the document - it is a challenge to trace the establishment where the animal was kept, especially if it does not comply with EU rules.

In the event of wrongdoing, reports can be forwarded to the Pet Animal Network (Pan). The reasons for this can be traced back to the absence of provisions from the Union itself, but these are now filled by the measure for which only the green light from the Council is awaited.

Bans: from mating limits to choke collars

Numerous restrictions are listed in the text that received the green light from the EU Parliament. Among the novelties is the ban on mating between consanguineous animals, such as between parents and children or between siblings.

There follows a stop to breeding practices aimed at enhancing characteristics that are harmful to health and mutilation for aesthetic purposes or for competitions that may pose a serious risk to their health. Trouble is on the way for those who - in order to come first in a beauty contest for animals - end up hurting their four-legged friends.

Finally, it will be forbidden to tie a dog or cat to an object - except when necessary for medical treatment - and the use of choke or prong collars without built-in safety mechanisms. The rules also apply to dogs used for military operations that, for their training, might use chains or other objects that can be a danger to their health.