Dogs, cats and ferrets

Upcoming changes in EU legislation will introduce new requirements for identifiers and identification of dogs, cats and ferrets. The changes will enter into force gradually starting in 2028.

As of 1 January 2028, a country‑code microchip will be mandatory for:

• all dogs born and microchipped in Finland
• all cats and ferrets microchipped for travel abroad

The change is based on the amendment to the EU Delegated Regulation 2019/2035, issued under the Animal Health Law, which will enter into force on 22 April 2026.

In addition, the EU’s new Regulation on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats sets more detailed requirements for the identification of dogs and cats. The regulation is expected to enter into force in summer 2026. Four years after its entry into force, i.e. from 2030 onwards, a country‑code microchip will be required for all dogs and cats that are sold or otherwise transferred. Cats brought, for example, to animal shelters must also be identified with a country‑code microchip before they are transferred onward.

Ten years after the regulation enters into force, the requirement will apply to all dogs kept in the EU, and fifteen years after entry into force it will extend to all cats kept in the EU, including pets kept by private individuals.
National legislation may impose stricter deadlines.

What does this mean in practice?

• After 1 January 2028, microchips without a country code may no longer be used for dogs that are to be identified.
• Cats travelling abroad must be identified with a country‑code microchip after 1 January 2028, and cats that are sold or otherwise transferred from 2030 onwards.
• Ferrets will need a country‑code microchip from 1 January 2028 if they are to be transported outside Finland.
• Animals that have been identified with a microchip in accordance with the legislation in force prior to the entry into force of the new regulations do not need to be re‑microchipped with a country‑code chip.
• The Finnish Food Authority administers the identification code system for country‑code microchips for dogs, cats and ferrets. Chip suppliers may apply to the Finnish Food Authority for country‑code identification codes, which they then forward to chip manufacturers for programming into the microchips. The Finnish Food Authority provides instructions to chip suppliers on the administration and distribution of country‑code microchips. The distribution of country‑code identification codes to chip suppliers may begin once provisions on the authorisation of identifiers have been enacted and the authorisation process has begun.
• After the regulations have entered into force, microchips for these animal species may only be implanted by a veterinarian or by an identifier authorised by the Finnish Food Authority. Further guidance on the authorisation of identifiers will be provided separately.

Manufacturers and distributors of microchips are requested to contact the Finnish Food Authority at elainrekisterit@ruokavirasto.fi to express their interest in acting as suppliers of country‑code microchips in Finland. Microchips without a country code may not be used for identifying dogs, cats or ferrets covered by the scope of the regulations after the regulations have entered into force.