How can you move to Switzerland legally with a pet?

What official documents and vaccinations are required for entry from the EU?

When importing a pet from the EU (Einfuhr von Heimtieren), the identification of a dog, cat or ferret must be verified by a microchip, while rabies immunity must be documented in the EU pet passport. The first rabies vaccination may only be administered from 12 weeks of age, and at least 21 days must pass before crossing the border.

This article addresses only the entry requirements for people relocating to Switzerland from the European Union. For Hungarian citizens arriving directly from Hungary, this is generally the most typical situation; however, the animal’s route also matters: if the relocation involves travelling through a non-EU country, the requirements applicable to the route must be checked separately before departure.

Which three documents and identifiers should be checked before departure?

For a dog, cat or ferret arriving from the EU, the following items must all be available:

Any discrepancy between the microchip and passport details is risky. Before departure, it is advisable to have a veterinarian check whether the chip number is readable and whether it appears in exactly the same way in the EU Pet Passport document.

The minimum age of 12 weeks and the 21-day waiting period together mean that, in the case of a puppy or kitten receiving its first vaccination, it is not enough to make arrangements just a few days before the move. moving with pets (Umzug mit Haustieren) is therefore only safe if the animal health schedule has been prepared before arranging housing, work and transport.

How many pets may be brought in for non-commercial purposes?

For non-commercial import, a maximum of five pets may be brought into Switzerland. Above five animals, the transaction is considered a commercial import, so the simpler procedure applicable to private moves should not be relied upon.

“Non-commercial” does not simply mean that no payment is made for the animals at the border. The key point is that the animals are the mover’s own pets and that the transaction is not classified as an import for sale or breeding purposes.

Families moving with several dogs, cats or ferrets should therefore count their animals when planning transport. In the case of six animals, it is not advisable to assume that the sixth animal will be a “separate traveller”: the legal classification and procedure must be clarified in advance with the competent authority.

How must an animal be declared in person at the Swiss border?

In the case of permanent import, dogs, cats and ferrets may only be brought in and declared at an open border crossing staffed by personnel. A pet cannot be declared via the QuickZoll app or through a drop box.

This rule is particularly important when moving by car. Smaller unstaffed crossings or self-service customs clearance may seem convenient, but they do not replace the in-person customs procedure when bringing in a pet.

What should you take with you to the border crossing?

At the border, you should be prepared to present the animal and its accompanying documents together. In practice, it is advisable to keep the following readily accessible:

1. *The animal’s original EU Pet Passport (EU Pet Passport):* this contains the identification and vaccination details.

2. Verifiable identification linked to the microchip: the chip number must match the information in the passport.

3. Proof of rabies vaccination: this must be validly recorded in the passport.

4. Documents supporting the relocation situation: these are particularly important if the animal is to be brought in duty-free as household effects for relocation.

5. The animal’s actual presence: an animal cannot be imported merely on paper or through a digital declaration.

The Swiss Customs Pet Competence Centre (Kompetenzzentrum Heimtiere, KoHe) is a relevant institutional point of reference for customs matters relating to the import of pets. In uncertain situations – for example, where multiple animals, an unusual route or a relocation exemption are involved – obtaining written information before departure can help avoid disputes at the border.

Why can the QuickZoll app not be used?

QuickZoll cannot be used for pet imports. The same applies to customs declarations using a collection box: the animal must be declared in person at a staffed border crossing.

Using the app or a collection box would not be considered an “incomplete” declaration, but rather an inappropriate procedure. Therefore, when planning the route, it is necessary to take into account not only the shortest border crossing, but also its opening hours and whether it is staffed.

When can an animal be brought in duty-free as household effects for relocation?

A pet that can be proven to have already been owned by you abroad may be imported into Switzerland duty-free as household effects for relocation (Übersiedlungsgut). The basis for the duty exemption is therefore not the animal’s value, but the fact that it was already owned by you before moving to Switzerland.

Treatment as household effects for relocation does not exempt you from the animal health entry requirements. The chip, a valid EU Pet Passport, rabies vaccination and an in-person border declaration are still required.

What does the requirement of being “verifiably owned abroad already” mean?

For the duty exemption, the ownership situation must be verifiable. It is therefore not advisable to rely solely on a verbal explanation when declaring the animal as household effects for relocation.

The dossier does not specify a single mandatory list of documents for providing proof. For this reason, before moving, it is advisable to compile the available documents supporting ownership and to check the customs information applicable to the specific case.

When moving from Hungary to Switzerland, the classification as household effects may be particularly relevant if the animal is brought in together with the entire household move. Regardless, the animal must also be declared separately at the border; it is not sufficient for it to be listed among the other household effects.

What is AMICUS, and how must a dog be registered within 10 days?

AMICUS is Switzerland’s dog database (Hundedatenbank AMICUS). A dog entering Switzerland must be taken to a Swiss veterinarian within no more than 10 days, who will check the microchip and record the import in the AMICUS database.

This obligation applies to dogs, and the deadline from the date of crossing the border should be taken seriously. It is not advisable to postpone the dog’s registration (Hunderegistrierung) until the weeks after the move, even if there are many tasks relating to housing, work or local administration.

What is the correct order for registration?

Registration as a dog owner with AMICUS and recording the animal’s import are two consecutive steps. The correct order of the procedure is as follows:

1. *Registration with the municipality of residence (Gemeinde):* first, the dog owner must be entered in the register of the Swiss Gemeinde of residence.

2. Application for an AMICUS personal ID: the Gemeinde arranges the registration required to obtain an AMICUS Personen-ID.

3. Booking an appointment with a Swiss veterinarian: a Swiss veterinarian must be consulted within no more than 10 days of entry.

4. Microchip check and import registration: the veterinarian checks the microchip and then records the import in the AMICUS dog database.

The names AMICUS and ANIS/Identitas refer to terms encountered in the Swiss dog registration system. When moving, the specific administrative steps are obtaining an AMICUS personal ID, checking the microchip and recording the import in AMICUS.

What happens if the Gemeinde is not yet able to enter the data?

According to the dossier, registration with the Gemeinde responsible for the place of residence is required before an AMICUS Person ID can be obtained. The timing of address registration and dog-related administration should therefore be coordinated.

If the 10-day deadline could be at risk due to residence registration or the veterinary appointment, it is advisable to contact the municipality responsible for the place of residence and the chosen Swiss veterinarian immediately. This article does not make any statement about the consequences of missing the deadline, as the available dossier does not contain the relevant detailed rules.

How much is the dog tax, and what cantonal obligations may arise?

There is no nationwide standard dog tax (Hundesteuer, or Hundetaxe) in Switzerland. The fee is set by the cantons and municipalities; based on indicative examples for 2026, the annual amount is typically between CHF 50 and CHF 220 per dog.

This is not a nationwide tariff or a personalised fee calculation. Even within the same canton, the dog tax may vary depending on which municipality is the official place of residence.

What other local obligations may apply?

Dog ownership obligations are not limited to dog tax. Depending on the canton, and in some cases the municipality, there may be separate requirements for liability insurance, training, ownership registration or other local rules.

Before relocating, it is therefore necessary to check the rules of the canton and Gemeinde where you intend to reside. It is not sufficient to rely on the practice of a neighbouring municipality, a previous place of residence, or another canton.

What should you know about dog training rules in Zürich?

Stricter dog ownership regulations have been in force in the canton of Zürich since 1 June 2025. Practical training is linked to the period between the dog's 6th and 18th months of age.

This rule is an example applicable to the canton of Zürich, not a nationwide obligation applicable throughout Switzerland. The dog's age may therefore also be relevant when relocating: if you arrive in the canton of Zürich with a dog aged between 6 and 18 months, the issue of practical training must be clarified immediately after settling in.

Liability insurance, training, and any local rules relating to breed or keeping conditions cannot be inferred automatically from AMICUS registration. These may constitute separate cantonal or municipal obligations.

Can a dog with cropped ears or a docked tail be brought into Switzerland?

Dogs with cropped ears or docked tails (docked dogs) are subject to a general import and keeping ban in Switzerland. As an exception, an owner moving from abroad with a genuine intention to settle may bring in their own dog as household effects (Übersiedlungsgut).

This exception is narrowly defined and must not be interpreted as a general import permit. It is not intended to allow someone to purchase a docked dog in Switzerland, bring in another person's dog, or subsequently transfer the animal to someone else.

Key restriction: a dog with cropped ears or a docked tail brought into Switzerland under the relocation exception may not be sold, given away, or exhibited.

The exception therefore requires all of the following conditions to be met: the animal must be your own dog, you must be moving to Switzerland from abroad, and the import must take place as household effects. The subsequent sale, gifting, or exhibition of the dog is incompatible with this exception.

What mistake should be particularly avoided in the case of a docked dog?

The greatest risk is that the owner treats the relocation exception as a general authorisation to keep or trade the dog. The exception does not permit the dog to change ownership on the Swiss market, nor does it allow exhibition.

When relocating with a dog with cropped ears or a docked tail, the ownership situation, genuine intention to settle, and import as duty-free household effects must be documented particularly carefully before departure. Personal declaration at the border is also mandatory in this situation.

Sources

• Swiss Customs Office – permanent import of pets and the requirement to use a staffed border crossing

• Swiss Customs Office – exclusion of QuickZoll and collection boxes for pet imports

• Swiss customs information – non-commercial imports and a maximum of five animals

• Swiss animal health information – ISO 11784/11785 microchip

• Swiss animal health information – first rabies vaccination, 12 weeks of age and a 21-day waiting period

• Swiss animal health information – EU pet passport

• AMICUS – dog owner registration through the Gemeinde and AMICUS Personen-ID

• AMICUS – Swiss veterinary chip check and import registration within 10 days

• Swiss dog tax – cantonal and municipal regulations

• Swiss dog tax – indicative annual fee range for 2026: CHF 50–220

• Glarus Süd – 2026 example of an annual dog tax of CHF 220

• Canton of Zürich – dog ownership rules and practical training applicable from 1 June 2025

• Swiss customs authority information – duty-free import as household removal goods and exceptions concerning cropped dogs

• Swiss animal welfare information – prohibition on the sale of dogs with cropped ears or tails, giving them away and exhibiting them