Import rules decide whether your pet can enter a country. Animal welfare laws decide what life looks like once you are there, and in some countries they reach right back to the border. A dog with cropped ears, a breed that is perfectly legal at home, a registration deadline that starts ticking the day you land: these are welfare law issues, and they are the ones families rarely hear about until it is too late to plan around them.
How do animal welfare laws affect moving a pet abroad?
Most countries separate the rules for getting a pet across the border (vaccines, microchips, health certificates) from the rules for keeping a pet once it lives there. Relocating families tend to research the first set carefully and discover the second set after arrival. In our experience, the welfare rules that matter most for a move are these:
- Breed and type bans. Several countries ban specific dog breeds outright, and those bans usually apply at the border as well as to ownership. A banned breed cannot be fixed with paperwork.
- Cosmetic procedure rules. Some countries prohibit ear cropping and tail docking, and a few restrict bringing in dogs that already had these procedures elsewhere.
- Registration deadlines. Many countries require your dog (and sometimes your cat) to be microchipped and entered in a national or local database within a set time after arrival.
- Daily care standards. Some countries write exercise, social contact, and housing requirements into law, which can affect your work schedule and choice of home.
Welfare rules also apply during the journey itself. Most destinations and airlines require crates that meet the IATA Live Animals Regulations, which we cover in our guide to airline approved kennels.
How do animal welfare rules compare by country?
Here is a quick reference to the rules that most often catch relocating families by surprise. Each country is covered in more detail below, with links to the official source.
| Country | Welfare rules that most affect relocating pets |
| European Union | New EU-wide dog and cat welfare law requires microchipping and database registration for all dogs and cats; applies from August 31, 2028 |
| United Kingdom | Five banned dog types, including the XL Bully; in England, dogs must be microchipped by 8 weeks and cats by 20 weeks |
| Germany | Law requires sufficient daily outdoor exercise and several daily contacts with a caregiver; certain bull terrier breeds cannot be imported |
| Austria | Dogs must be registered in the national pet database within one month of entering the country |
| Switzerland | Import of dogs with cropped ears or docked tails is banned, with an exception for owners relocating to Switzerland |
| Sweden | Dogs must go outside every day and be registered; official advice is a walk at least every 6 hours during the day; no breed bans |
| Norway | Six dog breeds and their crosses (in any proportion) are banned, plus wolf hybrids |
| Australia | Five dog breeds banned from import; Bengal cats banned from March 1, 2026; ownership rules set by each state |
| New Zealand | Animals legally recognized as sentient; dogs must be registered with the local council every year |
| India | Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960; up to two pets as baggage for residents returning after two years abroad |
| Hong Kong | Four fighting dog types banned; dogs licensed on arrival and relicensed every 3 years |
What is changing with EU animal welfare law for dogs and cats?
For the first time, the European Union has a single law covering the welfare of dogs and cats. Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 was adopted on June 17, 2026. It sets common minimum standards for breeding, keeping, and selling dogs and cats, and it extends identification and registration requirements to all dog and cat owners in the EU, with every animal microchipped and recorded in interoperable national databases.
The part that matters most for families moving to Europe: according to the European Parliament, pet owners entering the EU will have to pre-register their microchipped animal in a database at least five working days before arrival, unless the pet is already registered in an EU country’s database.
This is not in effect yet. The European Commission says the new rules will apply from August 31, 2028, with some provisions applying later. We will update our EU destination guides as the implementing details are published.
| Also new in 2026: the EU’s pet travel rules changed
Separate from the welfare law, the EU replaced its long-standing framework for non-commercial pet travel (Regulation 576/2013) in April 2026. Austria’s animal health authority notes that the new health certificate models must be used from October 1, 2026, and older certificates can no longer be issued after that date. If your pet is traveling to Europe this fall, make sure your veterinarian is using the current certificate. See our destination guides for Germany and Denmark for country specifics. |
What are the animal welfare laws in the United Kingdom?
The foundation is the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which places a legal duty of care on anyone responsible for an animal to meet its basic needs. The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 added formal recognition of animal sentience to UK policymaking. For relocating families, three rules come up most often:
- Microchipping in England. Dogs must be microchipped by 8 weeks old, and since June 10, 2024, cats must be microchipped by 20 weeks old, with owner details kept current on an approved database. An unchipped pet’s keeper can be fined up to £500. GOV.UK lists the approved microchip databases.
- Banned dog types. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, five types of dog are banned: the Pit Bull Terrier type, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and XL Bully type.
- The XL Bully ban. Since February 1, 2024, it has been a criminal offense in England and Wales to own an XL Bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption. The self-exemption deadline passed in January 2024, and the RSPCA notes that an owner without a certificate now needs a court to decide whether the dog can be exempted. In practice, a newly arriving XL Bully type dog has no straightforward route to legal ownership.
Defra has also announced further changes affecting banned breed owners that are being phased in during 2026, so check current guidance if your dog is anywhere near these types. For everyday rules on leads, identification tags, and public spaces, see our guide to dog laws in London.
What are the animal welfare laws for dogs in Germany?
Germany’s Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance (Tierschutz-Hundeverordnung) sets out what every dog keeper must provide. Under Section 2 of the ordinance, a dog must be given sufficient exercise outdoors, outside a kennel, contact with its caregiver several times a day for a sufficient length of time, and regular contact with other dogs unless health or temperament makes that impossible. Puppies up to 20 weeks old must have at least four hours a day of contact with a caregiver. Exercise and social contact must be adapted to the dog’s breed, age, and health.
| Myth check: the “two walks a day” law
You will find many websites stating that German law requires dogs to be walked twice a day for at least one hour. That wording appeared in the 2020 draft of the ordinance, but as Tagesspiegel reported, it did not make it into the final text. The law in force requires “sufficient” outdoor exercise without fixing a number of walks. Some local authorities, such as the Rotenburg (Wümme) district, treat two outings and an hour a day as the absolute minimum, so plan on at least that. |
The same section of the ordinance also prohibits painful training aids, such as prong collars. Germany restricts the import of certain bull terrier breeds, and some German states keep their own lists of restricted breeds; our guide to pet relocation to Germany covers the breed rules and entry requirements.
What are the animal welfare laws in Austria?
Austria’s Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz) requires every dog kept in the country to be microchipped and registered in the national pet database. According to the Austrian government’s official information portal, dogs must be registered within a month of entering the country, changing owners, or being officially named. You can register online with an ID Austria account.
Austria’s breed rules are set at the state level: listed breeds are subject to muzzle, leash, and competency requirements that vary by federal state, so check the rules for the state you are moving to, such as Vienna.
Can I bring a dog with cropped ears or a docked tail to Switzerland?
In most cases, no, but relocating families have an important exception. Switzerland banned ear cropping in 1981 and tail docking in 1997, and it also prohibits importing cropped or docked dogs, according to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO). There are three situations where a dog with short ears or a short tail can still enter:
- You are moving to Switzerland. Owners relocating from abroad may bring their cropped or docked dog as part of their household effects. The FSVO advises checking with Swiss customs well in advance of your move to confirm your dog meets the household effects criteria.
- Your dog was born with a short tail, or the procedure was medically necessary. You must submit documents to the FSVO at least three weeks before arrival, including a photo, a copy of the pet passport, and a veterinary certificate. Some breeds need X-rays or a genetic test. French Bulldogs are exempt from the documentation because the breed is naturally short-tailed.
- You are visiting. Foreign residents may bring a cropped or docked dog for holidays or short stays, after paying a deposit at customs.
| Restrictions continue after arrival
A cropped or docked dog imported as household effects may not be advertised or shown at dog shows in Switzerland. Before you travel abroad with the dog again, your canton’s veterinary office must confirm in the pet passport and the AMICUS dog database that the dog meets Swiss welfare requirements for re-entry. Without that note, the FSVO says the dog may be refused entry on its return. |
Is it illegal to leave a dog alone for more than six hours in Sweden?
Not exactly. Sweden’s dog laws are some of the most misreported pet rules online. The Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket) requires that all dogs be taken outdoors every day, and its official advice is that you should walk your dog at least every six hours during the daytime, more often for puppies and older dogs. The six-hour figure is general advice attached to the regulations rather than a fixed legal limit, but it is the benchmark Swedish inspectors work from when judging whether a dog’s needs are being met. If your work schedule means long days away, plan for a dog walker or daycare before you move.
Two other Swedish rules to know: all dogs living in Sweden must be identified with a microchip or tattoo and registered in the Board of Agriculture’s central dog register, and Jordbruksverket confirms that Sweden has no ban on individual dog breeds.
Which dog breeds are banned in Norway?
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) bans six breeds from entering Norway: the Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, and Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. The ban also covers any crossbreed with one or more of these breeds in any proportion, which makes mixed-breed dogs with unclear ancestry a real risk. If there is any doubt about your dog’s background, sort it out with us before you plan a Norway move.
What are the animal welfare and breed laws in Australia?
In Australia, day-to-day ownership rules are set by each state and territory, but import bans are set federally. Under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, the dogo Argentino, fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, and American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier cannot be imported, and the Perro de Presa Canario is also on the prohibited import list, as New South Wales notes in its restricted dog rules. Wolf-dog hybrids such as the Czechoslovakian wolfdog are not eligible either.
Cat owners should note one recent change: as of March 1, 2026, Bengal cats are no longer permitted to enter Australia, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Once you arrive, registration and restricted breed rules depend on your state and local council. Our guide to taking your pet to Australia covers the full import process, including the titer test and quarantine at Mickleham.
What are the animal welfare laws in New Zealand?
In 2015, New Zealand amended its Animal Welfare Act 1999 to specifically recognize animals as sentient, a change that also expanded the government’s ability to set enforceable welfare standards. For dog owners, the practical rules come from the Dog Control Act 1996 and local councils. In Auckland, for example, all dogs must be registered every year, registered before they turn three months old, and microchipped within two months of registration. Your dog must wear its registration tag at all times.
New Zealand also bans several breeds from entering the country. Our guide to pet relocation to New Zealand lists them, along with the import changes coming in 2026 and 2027.
What are the animal welfare laws in India?
India’s main national welfare law is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, which established the Animal Welfare Board of India as a statutory body advising the government on animal welfare. For relocating families, India’s import rules are the more immediate concern. According to Mumbai Customs, up to two pets (dogs or cats) per passenger may be imported as baggage only by people transferring their residence to India after two years of continuous stay abroad, and pets can only be imported through airports with animal quarantine facilities: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
What are the pet welfare laws in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s import permit terms require full compliance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance and related laws, and they ban the import of four fighting dog types: the Pit Bull Terrier (including the American Staffordshire Terrier), Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro. Dogs 5 months and older are licensed on arrival, and the license must be renewed with a rabies booster every 3 years. Our newly updated guide to moving your pet to Hong Kong covers the full process, from the AFCD permit to arrival day.
How should you prepare if your destination has stricter welfare laws?
A little planning up front avoids almost every welfare law problem we see. Before you book travel:
- Check your pet’s breed at every level. Confirm the national import rules, then the state, province, or city rules where you will live. Bans often cover crossbreeds, so be honest about any uncertainty in your dog’s ancestry.
- Gather records for any cropped ears, docked tail, or naturally short tail. Veterinary records, photos, and in some cases X-rays or genetic tests can make the difference, and Switzerland wants them three weeks before arrival.
- Put the registration deadline on your calendar. Austria allows one month from entry, and many other countries set similar windows. An ISO standard microchip makes registration easier nearly everywhere; our microchip guide explains why.
- Plan your pet’s daily routine. If your destination sets exercise or contact standards, line up a dog walker, daycare, or flexible work arrangement before you arrive.
- Confirm housing rules before you sign a lease. Some housing types ban dogs outright, and many private buildings set their own limits.
How can a pet relocation service help with welfare law requirements?
Welfare rules are easy to miss because they rarely appear on the import checklists families find online. When we plan a move, we look at the whole picture: whether your pet’s breed and history are eligible, what paperwork the destination needs for any past procedures, and what you will need to do in the first weeks after arrival. With more than 25 years of experience and offices on several continents, we have seen how these rules play out in practice. You can read more about our international pet relocation services, or see why families use a pet moving service for complex moves.
Moving abroad with your pet?Tell us where you are going and a little about your pet, and we will flag any breed, procedure, or registration issues before they become problems. Request your free price quote to get started. |
Frequently asked questions about international animal welfare laws
Which countries ban dogs with cropped ears or docked tails from entering?
Switzerland prohibits importing dogs with cropped ears or docked tails. Owners relocating to Switzerland may bring their dog as household effects, and dogs with medically necessary procedures or naturally short tails can be approved by the FSVO in advance. Rules differ elsewhere, so check your specific destination.
Is it illegal to leave a dog alone for more than six hours in Sweden?
Swedish rules require dogs to go outdoors every day, and the Swedish Board of Agriculture advises walking dogs at least every six hours during the daytime, more often for puppies and older dogs. The six-hour figure is official general advice rather than a fixed legal limit, but it is the standard used to judge whether a dog is properly cared for.
Does German law require dogs to be walked twice a day?
No fixed number of walks is written into German law. The Animal Welfare Dog Ordinance requires sufficient outdoor exercise, several daily contacts with a caregiver, and regular contact with other dogs. The widely quoted two walks and one hour rule was in a draft but not in the final text.
Will the new EU dog and cat welfare law affect pets moving to Europe?
Yes, once it applies. Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 will require pet owners entering the EU to pre-register their microchipped pet in a database at least five working days before arrival, unless it is already registered in an EU database. The regulation applies from August 31, 2028, with some provisions later.
Can I bring an XL Bully to the United Kingdom?
It has been illegal to own an XL Bully type dog in England and Wales without a Certificate of Exemption since February 1, 2024, and the self-exemption window closed in January 2024. A newly arriving XL Bully type dog has no straightforward route to legal ownership.
| A note on changing laws
Animal welfare and breed laws change regularly, and many are set at the state, provincial, or city level. This guide reflects official sources as of September 2026 and is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current rules for your exact destination before you travel, or ask us to check them for you. |
This article was originally published in March 2014 and was fully rewritten in September 2026 with current, country-specific welfare rules and official sources.
