Why Microchipping and Database Registration Both Matter
A microchip without a registered record is almost useless. If your dog is found 200 miles from home — or across a border — the chip can only reunite you if your contact details are current and accessible to whoever scans the animal. Across the European Union and the United Kingdom, millions of pets are chipped but never registered, or registered with outdated information. This guide explains how the system works and what you need to do to keep your pet properly protected.
EU Legal Requirements for Microchipping
Under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals, dogs travelling between EU member states must be identified by a transponder — in practice, an ISO-standard microchip. This regulation also forms the basis for the EU pet passport system, which records the chip number alongside vaccination and health data.
Beyond travel rules, most EU member states now require microchipping for dogs as a matter of national law. Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and many others mandate it for dogs. Several countries — including France and Germany — also require cats to be chipped, particularly if they go outdoors or are sold commercially. Northern Ireland and Great Britain introduced mandatory dog microchipping in 2016, and England, Scotland and Wales now require cats to be chipped as well, with deadlines phased in from 2024.
If you are unsure about the rules in your specific country, contact your national veterinary authority or your vet, as legislation continues to evolve.
The ISO Standard: What Those 15 Digits Mean
All microchips used for pet identification in the EU must comply with ISO standards 11784 and 11785. ISO 11784 defines the code structure — a 15-digit number — while ISO 11785 defines how the chip communicates with a scanner. The first three digits of the number identify the country where the chip was issued (for example, 276 for Germany, 250 for France, 826 for the United Kingdom). Digits four and five typically identify the manufacturer or database, and the remaining digits form a unique animal identifier.
A vet or rescue worker scanning your pet should be able to read a compliant chip with any ISO-compatible reader. Older non-ISO chips (9-digit or 10-digit) are no longer placed in the EU but may still exist in older animals; some scanners can read these, but not all.
Major European Microchip Databases
EUROPETNET
EUROPETNET is a network of European pet microchip databases that allows cross-border searches. If a vet or rescue centre in France scans a dog registered in Spain, they can query EUROPETNET and potentially retrieve the owner's contact details. Membership databases include I-CAD (France), REIAC (Spain), AMICUS (Ireland) and several others. The network does not hold records itself; it routes searches to member databases.
I-CAD (France)
I-CAD is the official national identification database for France. All dogs, cats and ferrets in France must be registered here. Registration is managed through veterinarians, who input the chip number at the time of implantation. Owners can log in to the I-CAD portal to update their contact details.
REIAC (Spain)
REIAC — the Red Española de Identificación de Animales de Compañía — is Spain's national registry, managed by the veterinary professional colleges. Like I-CAD, registration is normally handled at the vet clinic. Regional animal registration databases (such as those maintained by individual autonomous communities) feed into REIAC.
Petlog (United Kingdom)
Petlog, operated by the Kennel Club, is one of the UK's largest pet microchip databases. Post-Brexit, the UK no longer participates in the EU pet passport system, meaning a separate process applies for UK pets travelling to the EU. Petlog offers both free and premium registration tiers, and owners can update their details online at any time.
Animalia and Other Databases
Animalia operates across several European countries as a commercial database. Other notable national databases include ANIS in Belgium, DataDog in the Netherlands and various databases operated by national kennel clubs. The fragmented landscape of European databases is a known challenge; EUROPETNET aims to bridge the gaps, but not every database is a member.
How to Check Your Pet's Registration
Several tools allow you to search chip numbers across multiple databases. The website check-a-chip.co.uk covers UK databases, while europetnet.com searches across member databases. If you do not know which database your pet is registered on, start with the database of the country where the chip was implanted, or ask your vet to confirm at your next appointment.
It is worth running a check once a year and immediately after any change of address, phone number or email. A rescue centre finding your lost pet cannot help you if the database returns a disconnected number from five years ago.
What to Do When You Move Countries
Moving within the EU does not automatically transfer your registration to the new country's database. You should register the existing chip number with the national database of your new country of residence — most national databases accept registrations from owners directly or via a vet. Retain proof of registration in your old country in case any historical health or travel records are needed.
If you are moving from the UK to an EU member state, be aware that Petlog records are not accessible through EUROPETNET. You will need to register your pet with the relevant national database in your new country.
Keeping Your Details Current: A Simple Checklist
- Confirm your pet is registered on the correct national database for your country of residence.
- Log in to the database and verify your address, phone number and email are up to date.
- If you have moved countries, register with the new national database.
- Ask your vet to scan the chip at each annual health check to confirm it is still readable and in the correct position.
- Keep a note of your pet's 15-digit chip number in a safe place — stored separately from your pet's documents.
- If you travel internationally, verify that your EU pet passport or GB Animal Health Certificate lists the correct chip number.
What Happens If a Chip Fails?
Microchip migration — where the chip moves from the original implantation site — is relatively common and usually harmless. Failure (where the chip stops transmitting) is rare but does occur. If your vet cannot read the chip during a routine scan, they can implant a second chip. Both chip numbers should then be recorded on any passports or health certificates. Notify your database of both numbers to avoid confusion.
Final Thoughts
The microchip is only one half of the identification system; the database record is the other. Taking ten minutes each year to verify your registration details could make the difference between a lost pet returning home quickly or never being reunited with its family. With EU and UK databases improving their cross-border connectivity, keeping your records accurate has never been more important.