Register Your Dog in Zürich: Municipality, AMICUS & Insurance

You've just got a new dog — and now the administrative tasks are waiting. Don't worry: the registration process is simpler than it sounds, as long as you know what order to do things in and which deadlines apply. This article walks you through municipality registration, AMICUS entry, insurance requirements, and the annual dog tax — step by step.

Want to understand what courses also apply to you? Start with our overview: Mandatory Dog Course Zürich.

Step 1: Take out liability insurance (immediately)

This is your very first task — before you register anywhere: you need a dog liability insurance policy with a minimum coverage of CHF 1,000,000.

The insurance must be in place before you register your dog with the municipality. Without proof of insurance, the registration can be rejected.

What does it cover? Dog liability insurance covers damage your dog causes to other people or their property — such as a bite, damaging a car, or knocking over someone's expensive device. A minimum of CHF 1 million coverage is required by law in Canton Zürich.

Tip: Many household contents or personal liability insurance policies offer dog owner add-ons. Check first whether your existing insurer can extend your coverage — this is often cheaper than a standalone new policy.

Step 2: Have your dog microchipped and registered by the vet

Before going to the municipality, your dog must have a valid microchip. The chip is mandatory and must be implanted by a vet if not already done. The chip number is required for the AMICUS registration.

If your dog is not yet in AMICUS (for example, if it was imported from abroad or is a very young puppy), the vet must enter the dog into AMICUS. Bring your AMICUS ID to the vet appointment if you already have one.

Step 3: Register with the municipality (within 10 days)

Dogs over 3 months old must be registered with your local municipality (Wohngemeinde) within 10 days of acquisition.

Is there a different rule for puppies? Yes: if your puppy was under 3 months old when you took it home, you must register within 10 days of the puppy turning 3 months old.

What do you need for municipality registration?

The exact documents vary slightly by municipality, but typically include:

• ID document (ID card or passport)
• Proof of liability insurance (insurance certificate or confirmation)
• Chip number (from the vet)
• AMICUS ID (if you already have one)
• Depending on the municipality: purchase agreement or handover confirmation

How do you register? Many municipalities offer online registration through their local portal. Others require a visit to the municipal office in person. Check your municipality's website or call the office directly.

What do you get after registering?

After registration you receive:

• Confirmation of dog registration
• If you are a first-time owner: your personal AMICUS ID (you are entered in the national database as a holder)
• Information about the annual dog tax (Hundeabgabe)

Step 4: AMICUS registration

AMICUS is Switzerland's national dog database. All dogs in Switzerland must be registered there — with chip number, breed, date of birth, and owner details.

Who already has an AMICUS ID?

• First-time owners: You receive your AMICUS ID through the municipality registration (they create your entry as a new holder).
• Experienced owners: Anyone who has owned a dog in Switzerland since January 2016 already has an AMICUS ID. If you've lost track of it, ask your municipality.

How is the dog entered into AMICUS?

In most cases, the entry is made by the vet at chip implantation and completed through the municipality registration process.

Important: AMICUS and the theory course

After passing the theory course, the trainer records the result in AMICUS within 10 days — but only if you are already registered in AMICUS at that point. If you completed the course before acquiring your dog, no AMICUS entry is possible yet. In that case, you submit the trainer's written confirmation to your municipality, which then records the completion. Full details in: Dog Theory Course Zürich.

Step 5: Pay the annual dog tax

All municipalities in Canton Zürich collect an annual dog tax (Hundeabgabe). The amount varies by municipality. As a reference: the city of Zürich charges CHF 100 per year.

The tax is typically invoiced after registration and is due annually. It is separate from course costs and insurance premiums.

A note on banned breeds

Some breeds are listed on Canton Zürich's Rassetypenliste II and are prohibited — breeding, acquiring, and moving into the canton with them is not allowed. The list includes, among others, the American Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler (banned since 1 January 2025), American Bully, and other breeds and their mixes with more than 10% blood share.

Important: The canton itself states that the list is not exhaustive. A breed match in a quiz or checklist is not a definitive legal determination — only the Veterinäramt can provide a binding assessment. When in doubt, contact the Veterinäramt directly.

For the current list, see the Veterinäramt of Canton Zürich: zh.ch/verbotene-hunderassen.

Your registration checklist at a glance

Disclaimer: 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.

Related articles

• Mandatory Dog Course Zürich — the complete overview
• Dog Theory Course Zürich — process and deadlines
• Practical Dog Course Zürich — structure and learning goals