Dogs in Switzerland: rules, tax and travel

All dogs must be registered in the national AMICUS database. Dogs brought from abroad must be seen by a Swiss vet within 10 days of arrival and the vet then has 10 more days to register them. Dogs with a clearly legible tattoo need no chip but are still registered.[8]

Every dog must carry a unique tamper-proof microchip and be registered in AMICUS.[8]

Dog tax is set by municipalities and cantons. A common range is CHF 100 to 200 per dog per year, sometimes varying by size or breed.[9]

100 to 200 CHF a year

Dogs need daily human contact and outdoor exercise if kept indoors, and a tethered dog needs at least 20 square metres of space. Choke collars, spike collars and excessive force are prohibited.[8]

Dogs with cropped ears or docked tails may not be imported.[10]

Most cantons regulate dog vaccination and dangerous breeds, often with breed lists.[8]

The pet needs a microchip (applied before the rabies vaccination), a valid rabies vaccination (first dose from 12 weeks, effective 21 days later) and normally a recognised pet passport. Maximum 5 pets per private vehicle. Entry checks are compulsory at the red customs exit.[10]

Rules depend on whether the country is a rabies risk country on the BLV list. Basic requirements are a microchip before the rabies vaccination, a valid vaccination and a vet certificate from the exporting authority (or a Swiss or EU passport if the pet already meets the rules). Risk countries need a rabies antibody test, longer waits, and the pet must be at least 7 months old; direct flights also need a BLV import permit.[10]

Required for pets from rabies risk countries, tested at a recognised laboratory; pets from such countries must be at least 7 months old.[10]

The BLV page lists no tapeworm treatment for entering Switzerland. EU rules require it only for entry into Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland.[11]

The BLV page lists no quarantine; animals with missing documents can be refused at the border.[10]