Are Pitbulls Legal In Austria? Understanding Breed-Specific Laws

Austria is a very dog-friendly country, with dogs welcome in most places, including public transport and bars and restaurants. However, there are several regulations that dog owners need to follow. Austria has a list of dangerous breeds that were originally bred as fighting dogs and are therefore seen as more aggressive. Pitbulls are among these breeds, along with rottweilers, American Staffordshire terriers, and others. Owners of these dogs must obtain a special license and pass an exam, and their dogs must wear a muzzle and leash in public spaces in Vienna, except for fenced dog parks. People walking these dogs also have an alcohol limit and can be fined €1,000 if they exceed it.

Importing a pit bull to Austria

Austria is a very pet-friendly country, with dogs welcome in most places, including public transport, bars, and restaurants. However, there are several obligations for dog owners.

Microchipping and Vaccinations

All dogs in Austria must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. If you are bringing a dog into the country, you must provide proof of a current rabies vaccination, administered after the microchip was implanted. This must be done before your dog is 12 weeks old. If your dog is entering Austria from a Listed Third Country, the primary vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria. If entering from an Unlisted Third Country, your dog must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test.

Documentation

You will need an EU Pet Passport or a veterinary export certificate for your dog. If your dog has a passport, bring that along with your own passport. If not, you will need to use your own passport. You will also need an International Health Certificate from your vet before you leave.

Transport

You can only bring your dog into Austria through the following border crossings: Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, and Klagenfurt.

Different rules apply depending on your mode of transport. If travelling by car, you will usually need a transport box or a way to strap your dog in in case of an accident. If travelling by train, you will typically need a pet container for smaller animals, and a muzzle and lead for larger dogs. If flying, each airline has different rules, so check individually.

Registration

Once you arrive in Austria, you must register your dog with the local municipality so that it can be added to the official database. You will also need to start paying dog tax from this moment. In Vienna, dog owners must visit MA 6 (Department of Accounting and Taxes).

Vienna Dog License Exam

As pit bulls are considered a dangerous breed in Vienna, you and your dog will need to pass the Vienna Dog License exam within three months of arrival. This will exempt you from paying dog tax for one year.

Insurance

In Vienna, dog owners must obtain a special dog license for dangerous breeds, which includes pit bulls. You will need liability insurance to protect your assets, with a minimum coverage of €725,000.

Microchipping requirements

Microchipping is a mandatory and crucial requirement for dogs in Austria. All dogs in Austria must be microchipped and registered in the Pet Database for Dogs (Heimtierdatenbank für Hunde), which is operated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. This database ensures that lost dogs can be identified and returned to their owners. The microchip must be implanted by a veterinarian, and the procedure must be paid for by the owner.

The microchip should be an ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785-compliant microchip with 15 digits. It is important to note that the microchip must be implanted before the dog's rabies vaccine is administered. The manufacturer of the microchip will provide documentation and instructions on how to register the dog's information in their database.

Puppies must be microchipped and registered by the time they are 12 weeks old. For other dogs, the registration must be completed within a month of being officially named, entering the country, or changing owners. Additionally, they must be registered before they move between owners for the first time. The registration process typically involves providing owner information, detailed information about the dog, and the microchip number.

If a dog already has a microchip that does not meet the 15-digit requirement, the owner can bring their own microchip scanner when entering Austria. A tattoo is also acceptable as a form of identification if it was given before July 3, 2011, is clearly visible, and the dog was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo was applied.

It is important to note that while Austria has specific microchipping requirements for dogs, there are no breed-specific restrictions for pit bulls. However, some cities, like Vienna, have a list of "dangerous" breeds, including pit bulls, which are subject to special regulations such as wearing muzzles and leashes in public spaces.

Vaccination requirements

Austria is a very pet-friendly country, with cats and dogs welcome in most places, including public transportation, bars, and restaurants. However, there are several regulations that owners need to follow when bringing their pets into the country.

When bringing a pet into Austria, it must have all its vaccinations up to date, including rabies. The rabies vaccination must be administered after the pet has been microchipped. If your pet is entering Austria from a Listed Third Country, the primary rabies vaccination must be administered no sooner than 21 days before entering Austria. If your pet is entering Austria from an Unlisted Third Country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the rabies vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test.

All dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper.

If you are travelling from the United States, your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a rabies vaccination. If your pet does not have a microchip, or has one that is not ISO-compliant, you will need to travel with your own scanner that can read the microchip, or have a second, ISO-compliant microchip implanted.

If you are travelling from Great Britain, you will need to obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) from a vet. This is valid for four months and must be obtained ten days before travelling.

Other Requirements

In addition to the above vaccination requirements, there are several other steps you must take when bringing a pet into Austria:

• Your pet must be at least seven months old, unless you are travelling from within the EU.
• You will need proof of employment for the owner.
• If your pet has a passport, bring it with you. If not, you will need to use your own passport.
• If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you will need a veterinary export certificate written in English or German.
• If you are travelling with six or more cats, dogs, or ferrets, they must be at least six months old and attending a competition, show, or sporting event. Otherwise, you will need to use commercial transport.
• You will need to pass customs clearance.
• You will need an EU Health Certificate.
• You will need an International Health Certificate from your vet before you leave.
• Your pet must enter Austria at one of the following border crossings: Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz-Thalerhof, or Klagenfurt.

Transporting a dog to Austria

Austria is a pet-friendly country that allows dogs in most places, including public transportation and bars and restaurants. However, there are several requirements that must be met when transporting a dog to Austria. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

• Microchipping: All dogs entering Austria must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit pet microchip. This should be implanted by a veterinarian or trained nurse, and you should receive documentation about the manufacturer and instructions on how to register your dog's information. If your dog already has a microchip that does not meet these requirements, you can bring your own microchip scanner. Alternatively, a clearly visible tattoo applied before July 3, 2011, is acceptable if the dog was vaccinated for rabies after the tattoo and all vaccinations are up to date.
• Rabies Vaccination: All dogs over 12 weeks of age entering Austria must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after the microchip was implanted. If entering from a Listed Third Country, the primary vaccination must be done at least 21 days before arrival. If entering from an Unlisted Third Country, your dog must wait a minimum of 30 days after the vaccination before receiving a rabies titer test, and then it can enter Austria no sooner than 3 calendar months after the blood draw.
• Health Certificates: Depending on your country of origin, you will need specific health certificates. If travelling from the United Kingdom, a different health certificate is required instead of a UK Pet Passport. From a Listed Third Country or Unlisted Third Country, you will need a non-commercial EU pet health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian. From an EU Member State, you will need an EU Pet Passport issued by an EU vet.
• Tapeworm Treatment: Tapeworm treatment is not required when entering Austria, but it is recommended when travelling internationally.
• Pet Insurance: Dogs in Austria must be insured for liabilities of at least €725,000 to cover possible personal injury and property damage. This is separate from pet health insurance, which is not mandatory.
• Transportation: When travelling to Austria, different rules apply depending on your mode of transport. By car, you will usually need a transport box or a way to strap your dog in for safety. By train, smaller animals will need a pet container, and larger dogs will need a muzzle and lead, and possibly a ticket. Flying is the most complicated and stressful method, and you will need to research the specific requirements of the airline you choose as well as the IATA (International Air Transport Association) carriage rules for animals.
• Border Inspection: When entering Austria, you must go through a Border Inspection Post at the International Airport in Linz or Vienna. Your dog must be at least seven months old, and you must present the necessary health certificates and proof of employment or passport.
• Dog Registration: In Austria, all dogs must be registered with the responsible authority when they reach three months old. This can be done quickly at a veterinarian clinic, where they can also receive their microchip and EU Pet Passport. The registration process can be made easier by using the online form Hundeanmeldung, but note that it is in German.
• Dog Tax: In Austria, there is an annual dog tax that varies depending on the municipality. In Vienna, it is €72 for the first dog, with prices increasing for additional dogs. However, there are exemptions for guide dogs and discounts for low-income individuals.
• Additional Requirements: Austria has strict rules against animal cruelty and requirements for the quality of life of pets. Chaining dogs, even temporarily, is forbidden except outside shops while the owner is inside. Shock and choke collars are prohibited, and interventions such as cropping tails and ears or removing claws and teeth are not allowed. Dogs must be taken outdoors several times a day, have social contact at least twice a day, and have access to water and suitable food at all times. Muzzles are standard and mandatory in certain situations, such as on public transportation or in busy areas.

Dog-friendly places in Austria

Austria is a very dog-friendly country, with dogs welcome in most places, including public transportation and bars and restaurants. There are also many dog-friendly hotels, and some offices are dog-friendly too.

Dog-friendly places to stay

There are many dog-friendly hotels in Austria, particularly in the Austrian Alps and Tirol. Some of these include:

• Das Alpenhaus Katschberg 1640 inkl Lungau Card
• Zistelberghof
• Nala Individuellhotel
• Hotel Huber Hochland
• Aschlandhof
• Der Siegeler B&B
• Travel Charme Bergresort Werfenweng
• Hotel Magdalena, Zillertal Valley
• Hotel Böglerhof, Alpbach
• Hotel Fliana, Ischgl
• Riederhof, Ried im Oberinntal
• Tannenhof, St. Anton am Arlberg
• Teckel Hotel, Mayrhofen
• Panoramahotel Inntalerhof, Mösern bei Seefeld
• Bergresort Seefeld

Dog-friendly places to eat

• Cafe Sacher in Vienna
• Zum Zirkelwirt in Salzburg

Dog-friendly places to visit

• Lake Hallstatt dog beach
• Hohe Tauern National Park
• Public transport

Frequently asked questions