The European Parliament has approved the first comprehensive European Union rules aimed at improving the welfare and protection of dogs and cats. The legislation seeks to curb abusive practices, strengthen traceability and regulate breeding and trade across member states.
The proposal was adopted with 558 votes in favour, 35 against and 52 abstentions, establishing a common EU framework covering breeding conditions, housing standards, animal identification, imports and the management of companion animals.
Mandatory microchipping and registration
Under the proposed legislation, all dogs and cats in the European Union, including those owned privately, will be required to carry a microchip and be registered in interoperable national databases.
Sellers, breeders and animal shelters will have four years to comply with the new requirements once the legislation enters into force.
For private owners who do not trade animals, the obligation will be phased in over a longer period, applying after ten years for dogs and fifteen years for cats.
Cats and dogs aren’t products, they’re family.
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) April 30, 2026
The EU has agreed on its first-ever rules to protect them, including mandatory microchipping, a ban on harmful inbreeding, action against illegal trade and more.
Learn more: https://t.co/UjfkJ2xlQM pic.twitter.com/4oiVzvJby3
Ban on harmful breeding practices
The legislation introduces strict limits on breeding practices that may endanger animal health.
Breeding between first- and second-degree relatives, such as parents with offspring, grandparents with grandchildren or between siblings, will be prohibited. The rules also ban the breeding of animals with exaggerated physical traits that pose serious health risks.
In addition, practices involving mutilation for aesthetic or competition purposes will be banned. The legislation also prohibits the tethering of animals, except for medical reasons, and restricts the use of choke or spiked collars that lack safety mechanisms.
Today, the EU Parliament gave its final approval to a key law aimed at cracking down on illegal pet trade and abandonment, while strengthening 🐱 & 🐶 welfare.
— S&D Group (@TheProgressives) April 28, 2026
We are making animal welfare a 🇪🇺 priority, says @DarioNardellahttps://t.co/8CsDs5euQT
Stricter rules for imports and movements
To close regulatory gaps that allowed animals to enter the EU as non-commercial movements and later be sold, the new rules will apply to both commercial and non-commercial transfers.
Dogs and cats imported from outside the EU for sale will be required to carry a microchip before entering the Union and must be registered in a national database.
Owners travelling to the EU with pets will also be required to register the animal at least five working days before arrival, unless the animal is already registered in an EU member state.
Next step: Council approval
Before the legislation can take effect, it must also be approved by the Council of the European Union.
If adopted, the rules will mark the first harmonised EU-wide framework aimed specifically at protecting the welfare of dogs and cats and regulating their breeding, movement and trade.
Source: European Parliament