Will your pet need a new microchip when moving abroad? In most cases, no.
Manufacturers design microchips to last for a pet’s entire life. The number does not have to match your new country.
You might need to register your pet’s chip in a new database after you move. Your destination may also require different travel documents. Be sure to check all the requirements before you leave.
Get your pet’s current microchip checked
Ask your vet to scan your pet’s microchip. Make sure the number matches your pet’s passport, vaccination record, or health certificate. Border officials need to read the chip during travel checks.
Many countries require or accept 15-digit microchips that follow ISO standards 11784 and 11785. Your destination may ask you to bring a compatible scanner for an older or non-ISO chip. Alternatively, your vet may need to implant an additional ISO-compliant chip.
Speak with your vet before getting a second chip. Rabies records and other travel documents usually list your pet’s current chip number. If your pet gets another chip, ask your vet to record both numbers correctly.
Update your pet’s registration details
A microchip is different from microchip registration. The chip only stores an identification number. A database connects that number to your contact details.
Before moving, contact the database that holds your pet’s registration. Check the original microchip paperwork first if you do not know which database holds it.
Your pet’s passport or vaccination record should show the chip number. However, these documents may not identify the registration database. Your vet can scan the chip, but the number alone may not reveal where it was registered.
If the paperwork does not identify the database, enter the number into the ChipTrace microchip lookup. Your vet may also help you trace the chip.
Once you find the registration, update your phone number, email, and address. Some databases accept international contact details.
After you arrive, check whether your new country requires local registration. The registration process varies. You may register directly with a database or need to ask a vet to submit the details. In some countries, you must contact a government animal authority.
You can usually register the same microchip number. Therefore, you probably will not need a new chip.
Review the rules for your destination country
Registering your pet’s microchip does not automatically allow your pet to enter another country. Your destination may also require a valid rabies vaccination or health certificate. Other requirements can include a blood test, parasite treatment, or import permit.
Every country sets its own rules and can change them. Always check your destination’s official government requirements. It is also a good idea to talk to your vet well before you travel.
You can explore our pet microchip country guides to learn how registration and lookup systems work in different places. These guides provide a helpful starting point. However, always check official government sources for the latest travel requirements.
When would you need a new microchip when moving abroad?
A vet may recommend a new microchip if scanners cannot read your pet’s current one. Your pet may also need a second chip if the original does not work with scanners in your destination. Most pets, though, keep using their existing chip.
If your pet receives a second microchip, ask your vet to record both numbers in the relevant documents. Do not assume that adding the new number is enough. Your destination may require a new rabies vaccination, updated travel documents, or another waiting period. Ask your vet to check the official requirements before you travel.
In short: keep your pet’s current chip and have your vet scan it. Make sure every document lists the correct number. Finally, update or add any registration details that your new country requires.