Microchipping Dogs and Cats: Cost, Legal Requirements and the Czech Central Dog Register 🐾
Have you just brought home a puppy, or heard that since July 2026 every dog must be listed in the new Central Dog Register? Microchipping raises plenty of questions – how much it costs, whether it hurts and whether the rules apply to cats too.
In this article you'll find a clear overview of what the law says, how microchipping works, how much microchipping a dog or cat costs with us and how to get your dog into the Central Dog Register (CEP) without unnecessary stress – even at your home.
What is a microchip and what does it look like?
A microchip (transponder) is a tiny electronic device about the size of a grain of rice, roughly 2 × 12 mm, sealed in biocompatible glass. It carries a unique 15-digit number based on an international ISO standard, which the vet reads with a special scanner.
The chip has no battery and does not transmit location, so it is not a GPS tracker. If you want to track where your dog or cat goes, you need a separate GPS collar. The chip identifies your pet unambiguously – when it gets lost, is stolen or travels abroad with you.
Is microchipping dogs mandatory?
Yes. Since 1 January 2020, every dog in the Czech Republic must be microchipped, otherwise its rabies vaccination is not valid. The only exception is dogs clearly tattooed before 3 July 2011.
Rabies vaccination is mandatory for dogs, and we can give it during the same visit – see our vaccination page. Puppies are usually chipped at the breeder, ideally together with their first vaccination, and always before they go to their new owner.
The Central Dog Register (CEP): what changed in 2026?
Since 1 July 2026, the Czech Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons has operated the Central Dog Register – the only official dog register in the Czech Republic. Until now, chipping your dog was enough; now the chip number, together with details about the dog and its keeper, must also be entered in this state register.
Registration in private databases (such as the National Register of Animal Owners or BackHome) does not meet the legal requirement. If your dog has a pet passport, it must be recorded in both systems.
By when do I have to register my dog?
Puppies: registered when chipped, before being handed over to a new keeper.
Older dogs (including those already chipped): at the next rabies vaccination or booster at the latest. You can also register them earlier, at any other vet visit.
Change of owner: the new keeper must have the dog transferred to their name at the next vaccination.
Who registers the dog and what happens if I don't?
Registration is done by a vet, but only at your request – the vet is not required to do it automatically during treatment. By law, the keeper is always responsible for keeping the data correct and up to date.
Once registered, you can log in to the system with your Czech citizen identity and, for example, report your dog as lost in the “My Dogs” section. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to 50,000 CZK for individuals and up to 300,000 CZK for companies and self-employed persons.
Is microchipping cats mandatory?
No. Czech law does not require cats to be microchipped – it is completely voluntary. Your cat only needs a chip and a pet passport when you travel abroad with it.
Even though it isn't required, a chip is well worth it – especially for cats that go outdoors. Shelters and vets routinely scan found animals, so a chip greatly increases the chance that a lost cat will come home.
A good moment is during kitten vaccination or cat neutering, when your cat is at the vet anyway.
How is microchipping done and does it hurt?
The chip is placed under the skin with a special needle – in dogs and cats, the standard spot is the left side of the neck. It takes a few seconds, feels like an ordinary injection and usually requires no sedation or anaesthesia.
After placing it, the vet checks the chip with a scanner, records its number in the vaccination card or pet passport and, for dogs, enters it into the Central Dog Register at your request. The injection site may be slightly tender for a day or two; complications are rare.
How much does microchipping a dog or cat cost?
The price of microchipping varies between vets depending on what is included. At Sonda.cz our prices are (incl. VAT):
Dog microchipping: 950 CZK
Cat microchipping: 950 CZK
Entry (registration) of a dog in the Central Dog Register: 1,000 CZK
Issuing a pet passport / vaccination card: 950 CZK
You'll find the full overview in our price list. Microchipping, CEP registration and vaccination can be combined into one visit – at our clinic in Prague 2, or right at your home, where transport is added according to the price list.
For anxious dogs and cats that cope badly with car journeys and waiting rooms, a home visit is the gentlest option. We take care of everything in the calm of their own home.
How do I book with you?
You can book microchipping and CEP registration through our veterinary home visit form or at our clinic in Prague 2. Mention in the note that you'd like microchipping or registration in the Central Dog Register, and have the vaccination card or pet passport ready.
Not sure whether your dog is already registered, or whether the chip works at all? Start with a phone consultation – the vet will go through the documents with you and recommend next steps.
Summary
Microchipping dogs has been mandatory in the Czech Republic since 2020, and since July 2026 every dog must also be listed in the Central Dog Register – at the next rabies booster at the latest. Czech law does not require cats to be chipped, but we recommend it, especially for cats that go outdoors.
Microchipping a dog or cat costs 950 CZK with us, and registering a dog in the CEP 1,000 CZK. We can handle everything during one visit, even at your home, without the stress of travelling.
You can book a veterinary home visit here.
You can request a veterinary ambulance (for acute cases) here.
You can book an appointment at our clinic in Prague 2 here.
You can book a remote phone consultation here.
Note: All information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. None of the information here is intended to replace a medical diagnosis and should not be considered medical advice or a recommended treatment.
* Image source: GPT Image
