Cats in Austria: rules and travel

All dogs must be microchipped and registered in the federal Heimtierdatenbank, and since 1 July 2026 new dog owners need a nationwide Sachkunde certificate. Dog tax, leash rules and insurance are set by the Länder and municipalities.

Dog laws are set by the nine Länder: dog tax runs from nothing (Graz) to EUR 120 (Vienna); insurance and leash or muzzle rules, registers and listed breeds differ by Land, for example Lower Austria limits insurance to listed or conspicuous dogs while Upper Austria asks for proof at registration; the Sachkunde certificate became national on 1 July 2026 with older Land certificates valid until 30 June 2027.

Registration and microchip

Registration

The chip and registration duty is described for dogs and breeding cats (Zuchtkatzen); other cats were not confirmed.[2]

Microchip

Breeding cats must be chipped and registered; a chip is not confirmed as compulsory for other cats.[2]

Travelling to Austria with a cat

From an EU country

The pet travels with its owner and needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at 12 weeks or older and valid from 21 days after the primary vaccination, and an EU pet passport. Maximum 5 pets per vehicle.[3]

From outside the EU

Austrian customs say pets must be declared at customs (red channel at airports) and need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and a health certificate valid 10 days for up to 5 animals. Dogs, cats and ferrets must be at least 16 weeks old to enter. Pets may not be sold or handed on.[4]

Rabies antibody test

Needed for pets from non-EU countries not on the EU list: blood sample at least 30 days after vaccination and at least three months before travel, at an approved laboratory, 0.5 IU/ml or more. Pets needing a titre must be at least 7 months old on entry.[4]

Quarantine

The EU entry conditions list no quarantine for pets that meet them.[5]

Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.

Cats in Austria: rules and travel

Registration and microchip

Travelling to Austria with a cat

Sources