Register Your Dog in AMICUS Zurich — Step by Step

You've just got a dog — or you're about to — and you keep seeing the word "AMICUS" in every official document. What is it, exactly, and how do you actually register your dog in it? The system sounds more complicated than it is. This article walks you through every step, tells you what you need beforehand, and explains what comes after.

What Is AMICUS?

AMICUS is Switzerland's national dog database, run by Identitas AG. Every dog in the country is recorded there with its microchip number, breed, date of birth, and owner details. Registration is mandatory under federal law (Tierseuchenverordnung, Art. 28) — this applies across Switzerland, not just in Canton Zurich.

In practical terms: as soon as you own a dog, it must be registered in AMICUS. The database is the backbone of veterinary oversight, municipal dog tax records, and — since 1 June 2025 — the recording of mandatory training course completions by course providers.

Standard registration in AMICUS is free of charge. You can log in as an owner, transfer ownership of a dog, and manage your data at www.amicus.ch.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you can do anything online, you need a Personen-ID (personal ID number). Here's how to get one:

1. Register as a dog owner at your Gemeinde (municipality). This comes first — before AMICUS. Your municipality enters you into the system.
2. AMICUS will send you your Personen-ID and a password by post — typically within a few days.
3. Use those credentials to log in at amicus.ch.

You'll also want to have the following ready:

• Your dog's microchip number (the 15-digit ISO number — found in the pet passport or readable by your vet)
• Your dog's vaccination record / pet passport
• Contact details of the previous owner, if you're taking over a registered dog

Important distinction: The very first AMICUS entry for a dog must always be made by a veterinarian — the vet is the one who enters the microchip number into the database initially. If you're taking over a dog that's already registered in AMICUS, you can complete the change of ownership ("Übernehmen") yourself online.

Step-by-Step: Registering Your Dog in AMICUS

Step 1 — Notify your municipality

Go to your Gemeinde (residents' registration office or municipal administration) and inform them that you are now a dog owner. This is both a legal requirement and the trigger for your Personen-ID.

Step 2 — Wait for your Personen-ID

Once you've registered at the municipality, AMICUS will send your Personen-ID and password by post. Allow a few days.

Step 3 — Visit your vet (first-time registration)

If your dog has never been registered in Switzerland before — for example, a newborn puppy or a dog brought in from abroad — your vet must enter the microchip number into AMICUS for the first time. Without this step, the dog simply doesn't exist in the system.

Step 4 — Log in at amicus.ch

Go to www.amicus.ch and sign in with your Personen-ID and password.

Step 5 — Transfer ownership

If your dog is already in AMICUS (e.g. you acquired it from a breeder or previous owner), select "Hund übernehmen" (take over dog) from the menu and enter the microchip number. The system displays the dog's details. Confirm the transfer.

Step 6 — Check the data

Verify the name, breed, date of birth, and chip number. Corrections are quick now; they're a headache later.

After Registration — What Comes Next?

AMICUS is the first step, not the last. Here's what follows:

Dog tax at the municipality

AMICUS and dog tax are separate obligations. Even though your municipality uses AMICUS data, you still need to register separately for the annual Hundesteuer (dog tax) and pay it each year. The exact process depends on your municipality.

Liability insurance

Every dog in Canton Zurich must be covered by a liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of CHF 1,000,000 — regardless of breed or size. This is a standalone requirement, separate from AMICUS registration.

Mandatory training courses

Since 1 June 2025, Canton Zurich requires dog owners to complete mandatory training courses.

Theory course: The theory course is required only for first-time owners and anyone who has not kept a dog for at least six consecutive months in the past ten years. The deadline is 2 months after acquiring the dog; the confirmation of completion must be submitted to the municipality within 3 months.

Practical course: Mandatory for new dog owners in Canton Zurich as a general rule. Exemptions apply in certain cases — including dogs over 10 years old at acquisition, transfers from a spouse or life partner (dog in shared household for at least 6 months), and licensed dog trainers. The deadline is 12 months after acquisition; the dog must be at least 6 months old before the course can begin.

More detail in the article Mandatory Dog Course Zurich.

How AMICUS and training courses connect: Course providers log completed courses directly into AMICUS via the "Pet-Education" module — but only if the owner is already registered in AMICUS. If you complete the theory course before acquiring your dog (permitted up to 12 months in advance), you won't yet be in AMICUS. In that case, your trainer confirms completion in writing, and the municipality records it manually.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: Haven't received a Personen-ID Contact your municipality. Check that you've properly registered as a dog owner there. AMICUS only sends credentials after the municipality has entered you into the system.

Problem: Forgotten password If you stored an email address in AMICUS, you can reset your password online. If not, call the AMICUS helpdesk: 0848 777 100 — or contact your municipality directly.

Problem: Can't find the microchip number The chip number is in your dog's pet passport. Your vet can also scan it for you. Without a microchip, the dog cannot be entered into AMICUS — the chipping must happen first.

Problem: Dog is already registered under someone else's name Contact the AMICUS helpdesk (0848 777 100). You'll need documentation of the transfer (e.g. purchase contract, handover confirmation).

Problem: Dog has died You enter the date of death yourself in AMICUS — directly in the online portal under the dog's entry.

Zurich-Specific Notes

If you live in a Zurich municipality, there are a few things that set your situation apart:

• The 10-day rule applies across Canton Zurich: The City of Zurich and all other Zurich municipalities require AMICUS registration within 10 days of taking over a dog. Don't leave it to the last minute.

• New cantonal dog law from 1 June 2025: The new mandatory training obligations apply only to dogs acquired or moved into Canton Zurich on or after that date. Completed courses are recorded via the AMICUS Pet-Education module — but trainers can only enter completions if the owner is already registered in AMICUS.

• Restricted breeds: Some breeds are subject to special conditions or are prohibited in Canton Zurich. The list is non-exhaustive — see our guide on banned dog breeds in Zurich or check directly with the Veterinäramt of Canton Zurich before acquiring a dog of a restricted type.

• Dogs imported from abroad: Imported dogs require a vet visit for first-time AMICUS registration. Check entry requirements and microchip standards (ISO norm) with the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) in advance.

For a full overview of all registration obligations at the municipal level, see Register Your Dog in Zurich.

Conclusion

AMICUS isn't a bureaucratic obstacle — it's the central register that links everything else together: your vet, your municipality, your insurance, and your mandatory training courses. The process itself is manageable once you know the right order: municipality first, then wait for your Personen-ID, then vet for the initial entry or handle the ownership transfer online yourself. Keep the 10-day deadline in mind — once that's done, the most important step is complete.

This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legally binding advice. For binding information, please contact your municipality or the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich.