Last updated: 11 August 2026
Dogs in Cyprus must be microchipped, registered and licensed.
An authorised veterinarian normally implants the microchip and completes the official registration.
After that, the owner must get a dog licence from the local municipality or community council.
Cyprus does not provide a public online search for its official dog records.
Instead, an authorised veterinarian, District Veterinary Office or official service must check the registration.
Cats and ferrets can also be microchipped. They need a microchip when identification is required for international travel.
However, Cyprus’s main national registration and licensing rules apply to dogs.
This guide explains how dog microchip registration works in Cyprus, how the official record and local dog licence work, what Cyprus and foreign chip numbers can look like, and what to do if a microchip is not found.
Use it to check the right tracing routes, understand Veterinary Services records, local dog licences, EUROPETNET and manufacturer clues, and prepare the documents you may need as a pet owner, finder, adopter or rescuer.
In this guide:
ChipTrace can help you check available databases, identify possible country or manufacturer clues, and decide the next tracing step.
What do Cyprus microchip numbers look like?
Most modern pet microchips follow the ISO standard and contain 15 digits.
The official ISO numeric country code for Cyprus is 196.
A Cyprus country-coded microchip may therefore begin with 196.
However, not every pet living in Cyprus has a 196 chip. Many animals have manufacturer-coded microchips or chip numbers from other countries.
Manufacturer-coded microchips start with the digit 9. These numbers may appear in several countries, so they do not prove where the pet was chipped or registered.
Many animals in Cyprus received the microchip in another country before arriving on the island.
This is common with:
- Pets brought to Cyprus by their owners
- Animals imported by breeders
- Pets adopted through international rescues
- Animals that lived in another country before moving to Cyprus
- Older animals with manufacturer-coded chips
A readable foreign or manufacturer-coded chip can normally continue to identify the animal.
In short, the first digits can give a clue about origin. They do not prove that the animal was born, microchipped or registered in Cyprus.
Example formats commonly found in Cyprus
Many different microchip numbers may appear in Cyprus. These examples show a few possible formats, but many other variations exist.
196123456789012— Cyprus country-coded microchip981123456789012— manufacturer-coded microchip945123456789012— manufacturer-coded microchip826123456789012— foreign country-coded microchip
A manufacturer-coded prefix can appear in more than one country. For this reason, use the prefix as a clue only.
The complete number must always be checked.
Read our guide to pet microchip numbers for more detailed information and practical steps.
What should you do if you find a pet with a Cyprus microchip number?
Follow these quick tracing steps to help reunite the animal with its owner.
- Ask a veterinarian, shelter, rescue, dog pound or animal service to scan the animal and confirm the full microchip number.
- Use ChipTrace to check available connected databases and possible country or manufacturer clues.
- Ask an authorised veterinarian to check the official Cyprus record.
- Contact the nearest District Veterinary Office.
- Contact the local municipality or community council when the animal is a dog.
- Ask a dog pound, shelter or rescue for help.
- Open EUROPETNET for a separate manual European search.
- Check databases in countries where the animal may have lived.
- Contact any veterinarian, shelter, rescue or breeder that may be connected to the animal.
Who can contact the owner?
The public cannot normally search the official Cyprus dog record online.
Instead, an authorised veterinarian, District Veterinary Office or official service must check the number.
They may then contact the registered owner.
However, they should not give the owner’s private details to the finder.
A dog may also have a record with the local authority.
For this reason, the municipality or community council may be able to check its dog licence records.
ChipTrace does not currently have direct access to the official Cyprus database. It checks other available databases and shows the next tracing steps.
If nobody can reach the owner, you can post on local social media and leave notices at veterinary clinics, shelters, rescues, dog pounds and nearby shops.
Do not publish the complete microchip number online. Share only part of it so ownership claims can be checked safely.
Remember: many owned cats in Cyprus spend time outside. Do not assume every outdoor cat is lost.
Before taking action, look for signs that the animal is injured, frightened, displaced, trapped, very young, or far from home.
Read Found a Microchipped Pet? What to Do Next for practical advice and template messages you can send to local shelters and vets.
What if the microchip number is not found in any database?
A missing database result is not always the end of the trace.
Start by asking a veterinarian, shelter, rescue, dog pound or animal service to scan the animal again and confirm every digit. One wrong digit can return no result.
Possible causes and next steps:
- The chip was implanted, but nobody registered it correctly. Ask the veterinarian, breeder, shelter or rescue to check their records.
- Someone entered the number incorrectly. Re-scan the animal and search again with the verified number.
- The animal may have an official Cyprus record that does not appear online. Ask an authorised veterinarian or District Veterinary Office to check the official record.
- The animal is a dog and may have a local licence record. Ask the municipality or community council to check its dog licence records.
- Another country may still hold the animal’s registration. Use ChipTrace for country or manufacturer clues and open the relevant manual route.
- The chip is manufacturer-coded. Use the manufacturer or distributor route when no registry result appears.
Extra tracing routes to try
- Use ChipTrace again after confirming the number. It can also suggest a likely country, manufacturer or distributor, including contact information where available.
- Ask an authorised veterinarian to check the Cyprus record again.
- Contact the relevant District Veterinary Office.
- Ask the local authority to check its dog licence records.
- Open EUROPETNET for a separate manual European search.
- Check databases in countries where the animal lived before.
- Contact the microchip manufacturer or distributor. They may identify the distributor who sold the chip and the veterinarian, breeder, shelter or rescue that received it.
A negative online result does not prove that the animal is unregistered in Cyprus.
The official Cyprus dog database is not available as a public online search. Therefore, the record may only be visible to an authorised veterinarian, Veterinary Services or another official route.
ChipTrace may show possible country or manufacturer information. This is only a tracing clue, not a registration result.
Manufacturers and distributors normally do not give out the owner’s private details. Instead, they may identify the distributor that supplied the chip, the veterinarian or organisation that received it, or pass a matched enquiry to the next organisation.
Finding the owner is not guaranteed, but these extra steps often help. If you still cannot trace the owner after checking every route, contact a local shelter, rescue, dog pound, animal service, municipality, District Veterinary Office or veterinary clinic for advice.
Read our guide to why a microchip may not appear in any database.
Which microchip records are used in Cyprus?
The Cyprus Veterinary Services manage the official dog registration system.
An authorised veterinarian normally submits the dog’s microchip and owner details.
The owner receives a registration and microchipping certificate.
That certificate is also needed for the local dog licence.
The official microchip registration and the local dog licence are linked. However, they are not the same record.
What is the Cyprus Veterinary Services dog register?
The Veterinary Services keep the official records for registered dogs.
A record may include:
- The complete microchip number
- The dog’s description
- The dog’s breed
- The dog’s sex
- The owner’s name
- The owner’s address
- The owner’s telephone number
- Transfer or registration information
The public cannot normally search this record online.
Instead, an authorised veterinarian or the Veterinary Services must check it.
A shelter, dog pound or local authority may also ask for help with tracing.
What is the local dog licence?
A dog owner must also get a licence from the local authority.
This is normally the municipality or community council where the owner lives.
The local authority may ask for:
- The dog’s health booklet
- The registration and microchipping certificate
- The owner’s identity and address details
- A completed licence application
- Payment of the licence fee
The local dog licence does not replace the official microchip registration.
In practice, the microchip must be registered first.
Local procedures and fees may differ, so ask the municipality or community council what is needed.
Can the public search a Cyprus microchip online?
No public online search is currently provided by the Cyprus Veterinary Services.
This means that an online search may not find a correctly registered Cyprus dog.
A finder should ask a veterinarian or official service to check the number.
This may include:
- An authorised veterinarian
- A District Veterinary Office
- A municipality or community council
- A municipal dog pound
- A shelter or rescue
The organisation may be able to trace the registration.
Then, it can contact the owner without sharing private details with the finder.
Can EUROPETNET find a Cyprus registration?
EUROPETNET is a separate European microchip search network.
Cyprus is not currently listed as a member country.
Therefore, an official Cyprus registration may not appear there.
However, a manual EUROPETNET search can still be useful when the animal was registered in another European country.
This is important when an animal was imported, adopted from abroad or moved between countries.
ChipTrace may provide a button or direct link that opens EUROPETNET.
The user then completes the search manually.
ChipTrace does not perform the EUROPETNET search itself.
If EUROPETNET gives no result, do not assume that the animal is unregistered in Cyprus.
How does ChipTrace search Cyprus?
ChipTrace checks available connected databases and international search routes where possible.
At the moment, ChipTrace does not search the Cyprus Veterinary Services database directly.
The official system is not available as a public online lookup.
Instead, ChipTrace shows which databases it checked and which manual Cyprus routes remain available.
ChipTrace may still find a foreign or additional registration. This can help when the animal lived outside Cyprus before.
In addition, ChipTrace may identify country, database, manufacturer or distributor clues from the complete microchip number.
What can ChipTrace show?
ChipTrace may show possible country or manufacturer information.
However, a manufacturer match is not a registration result. It does not prove that the animal came from Cyprus.
ChipTrace shows which automatic databases were checked. It also shows which manual Cyprus or European routes are still available.
ChipTrace does not display private owner information. A veterinarian, registry, shelter, rescue or official service must contact the owner.
Read how ChipTrace works for more information about automatic and manual searches.
Are microchips required in Cyprus?
Dogs
Yes. Dogs must be microchipped and officially registered.
The owner must also get a dog licence from the local authority.
The local authority normally needs the registration and microchipping certificate.
The dog licence may need to be renewed.
Ask the municipality or community council about the local process.
Cats
There is no general national rule that requires every privately owned cat to be microchipped.
However, microchipping and registration are strongly recommended.
An indoor cat can also escape.
A microchip gives a lost cat permanent identification, but it only helps when the number links to current owner details.
A cat needs a microchip when identification is required for international travel.
Ask the veterinarian where the cat’s details can be registered.
Ferrets
Ferrets do not have the same general registration and licence rules as dogs.
However, a ferret normally needs a microchip for travel within the European Union.
Ask an authorised veterinarian which registration options are available.
Who can implant a microchip in Cyprus?
Only an authorised veterinarian may implant a pet microchip in Cyprus.
The veterinarian should check that the number can be read correctly.
They should also complete the required registration.
Implanting and registering are separate steps.
The microchip contains only an identification number. The owner’s contact details are stored in the database.
A working microchip may be difficult to trace when nobody registered it.
How to register a pet microchip in Cyprus
An authorised veterinarian normally starts the registration process.
To register a dog:
- Make an appointment with an authorised veterinarian.
- Take the dog and any existing documents.
- Ask the veterinarian to check for an existing microchip.
- If needed, the veterinarian implants a new microchip.
- Give the veterinarian your identity and contact details.
- Give the veterinarian the dog’s details.
- The veterinarian completes the official registration.
- Check every digit of the microchip number.
- Collect the registration and microchipping certificate.
- Apply for a dog licence from the local authority.
Useful documents may include:
- Your identity document
- Proof of your address
- The dog’s health booklet
- The vaccination record
- An EU pet passport
- An existing microchip certificate
- An adoption contract
- A purchase agreement
- A transfer document
- A foreign registration certificate
The veterinarian can explain the official registration process.
The municipality or community council can explain the dog licence process.
Fees may differ between local areas.
Does the veterinarian register the microchip automatically?
The authorised veterinarian should normally complete the official registration.
However, owners should still check.
Ask the veterinarian to confirm that:
- The registration has been submitted
- The complete microchip number is correct
- The dog is registered under your name
- Your telephone number is correct
- Your email address is correct
- Your home address is correct
- You will receive a registration certificate
Do not assume that implantation alone completes the registration.
For dogs, remember to complete the separate local licence process.
Can I add a global microchip registration?
Yes. A global registration can provide another route back to the owner.
Animal-ID allows owners to create an additional record using an existing microchip number.
This can help when:
- The pet travels outside Cyprus
- The animal was first registered in another country
- A finder uses an international search service
- The official Cyprus record cannot be searched online
- The animal has a foreign or manufacturer-coded microchip
Important: a global registration is only a safety net.
It does not replace the official Cyprus registration or dog licence.
Updating Animal-ID does not update the Veterinary Services record.
It also does not update the local dog licence.
Keep the same contact details in every active registration.
How to check your pet’s microchip registration
This section is for owners who already know their pet’s microchip number.
If you do not know the number, ask a veterinarian, shelter or rescue to scan the animal first.
To check a Cyprus registration:
- Ask an authorised veterinarian to check the official record.
- Contact the relevant District Veterinary Office.
- Check the details on the registration certificate.
- Check the dog licence with the local authority.
- Use ChipTrace to look for other registrations.
- Open EUROPETNET for a separate manual European search.
- Compare the number with the health booklet and pet passport.
When checking the record, confirm the owner’s name, address, telephone number and email address.
Also check that the animal’s status is correct.
The record should not still show an old owner or address.
You may not be able to view these details online. This is normal.
How to update a Cyprus microchip registration
Ask an authorised veterinarian or District Veterinary Office to update the official record.
For a dog, also contact the municipality or community council.
Update the records when:
- You move home
- Your telephone number changes
- Your email address changes
- The animal moves to a new owner
- The animal goes missing
- The animal is found again
- The animal moves abroad
- The animal dies
The official microchip record and local dog licence may need separate updates.
Updating the pet passport alone does not update these records.
Finally, update any foreign or global registration separately.
How to transfer a Cyprus microchip registration
The record should change when an animal is sold, adopted or given away.
Ask an authorised veterinarian or the Veterinary Services how to record the transfer.
For a dog, also contact the local authority about the licence.
Useful documents may include:
- An adoption contract
- A purchase agreement
- A signed transfer document
- The registration and microchipping certificate
- The dog licence
- The health booklet
- The pet passport
- Identity documents for both owners
After the transfer, check the new owner’s name and contact details.
An adoption or sale agreement does not update the official records automatically.
What if the pet is still registered to someone else?
Contact the previous owner, breeder, shelter or rescue first.
Ask them to help complete the transfer.
If this is not possible, contact an authorised veterinarian or District Veterinary Office.
Explain how the animal came into your care.
Then, provide any documents they request.
Do not create a second registration that conflicts with the first one.
A microchip record can help show the animal’s history. However, it may not settle a legal ownership dispute on its own.
Buying or adopting a pet in Cyprus
Ask for the complete microchip number before taking the animal home.
When possible, ask an authorised veterinarian to check the number.
Make sure the number matches every document.
Buying or adopting a dog
Also ask for:
- The registration and microchipping certificate
- The health booklet
- The current dog licence
- The vaccination record
- The EU pet passport, when available
- An adoption contract or purchase agreement
- Confirmation of who will complete the transfer
- Information about any foreign registration
The official registration and local licence must change to the new owner.
Do not rely only on the name in the pet passport.
The database and licence records must also be updated.
What about a pet adopted from a Cyprus rescue?
Ask the rescue which records already exist.
Also ask:
- Whether the complete microchip number has been confirmed
- Whether the microchip is officially registered
- Who is named in the registration
- Who will complete the transfer
- Whether a dog licence exists
- Who will register the animal in another country
- Whether the rabies and travel documents are complete
A pet adopted abroad may need registrations in Cyprus and in the new country.
Keep the Cyprus registration active until the new record has been confirmed.
What should you do if your pet goes missing?
Act quickly.
Report the animal as missing as soon as possible.
Contact an authorised veterinarian and the relevant District Veterinary Office.
Ask whether the official record can be marked as missing.
For a dog, also contact the municipality or community council.
Check that your telephone number and email address are correct.
You should:
- Contact local veterinarians.
- Contact municipal dog pounds.
- Contact shelters and rescues.
- Contact the local authority.
- Contact the police when theft is suspected.
- Share a clear photograph and the area where the animal disappeared.
Do not publish the complete microchip number online.
Share only part of the number publicly. Keep the full number for veterinarians, shelters, rescues, dog pounds, authorities, databases and trusted organisations helping with the search.
After the animal returns, update every missing report.
Bringing an imported pet to Cyprus
A foreign registration does not automatically create a Cyprus registration.
After arrival, ask an authorised Cyprus veterinarian to check the microchip and documents.
Take:
- The animal
- Its EU pet passport or animal health certificate
- Its rabies vaccination record
- The microchip certificate, when available
- Your identity and Cyprus address details
- Any foreign registration documents
- An adoption or transfer document, when relevant
A readable ISO microchip normally does not need to be replaced.
The same number can be used in the Cyprus records.
Check that the number matches every document.
For a dog, complete the official registration and local licence process.
Keep the foreign registration active until the Cyprus record has been confirmed.
Update the foreign record with your Cyprus contact details when possible.
Travelling with a pet to or from Cyprus
Microchip registration and border requirements are separate.
Cyprus also has its own entry rules for pets.
Travelling to Cyprus from another European Union country
Dogs, cats and ferrets normally need:
- A readable ISO microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination
- An EU pet passport
Normally, the veterinarian must implant the microchip before, or on the same day as, the rabies vaccination for travel.
After the first rabies vaccination, you normally need to wait at least 21 days before travel.
Cyprus does not normally allow unvaccinated dogs, cats or ferrets to enter.
The animal must normally be at least 105 days old.
Travelling to Cyprus from outside the European Union
A dog, cat or ferret will normally need:
- A readable ISO microchip
- A valid rabies vaccination
- An official animal health certificate
- A declaration that the movement is not for sale or trade
- Entry through an approved airport, port or marina
The relevant District Veterinary Office may need to be told about the arrival at least 48 hours in advance.
A rabies antibody blood test may also be needed.
This depends on the country from which the animal travels.
Some dog breeds and non-domestic cat hybrids cannot enter Cyprus.
Check the current official rules before booking the journey.
Travelling from Cyprus to another country
If you travel from Cyprus to another country, the destination country may set its own rules.
For EU travel, the EU pet passport and rabies rules normally apply.
However, for non-EU travel, you may need export documents, a health certificate, official endorsement or extra tests.
Before travelling, ask your veterinarian and check the destination country’s official requirements.
Useful Cyprus microchip links
Cyprus Veterinary Services
Find official information and District Veterinary Office contacts
Animal identification and registration
Read the official registration information
Travelling to Cyprus with pets
Check the current Cyprus entry rules
Cyprus dog legislation
Read the official Dogs Law information
EUROPETNET
Complete a separate manual European microchip search
European Commission – bringing a pet into the EU from a non-EU country
Read the EU rules for dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from outside the EU
European Commission – travelling with a pet within the EU
Check EU pet travel rules before travelling
Animal-ID
Create an additional global microchip registration