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Poland's pet microchipping law (KROPiK): what changes
Poland has passed a law that makes microchipping and registering dogs and cats mandatory. If you live in Poland, here is what it means in plain terms — and why a chip alone will not help a stranger who finds your pet in the street.
Last updated: July 7, 2026
What is KROPiK and who does it cover?
KROPiK is Poland's National Register of Marked Dogs and Cats. Parliament passed the law on 17 April 2026 and the President signed it on 3 June 2026. It makes marking and registration mandatory for all dogs, and for cats that have an owner or are in a shelter or a rescue's care.
The register is run by the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture (ARiMR), and vets do the actual chipping and registration. Councils decide about free-roaming cats. The point is to tie every animal clearly to an owner or shelter, and so cut down on strays and abandonment.
When does it start, and what does it cost?
The law takes effect two years after it is published in the Journal of Laws, so roughly in 2028. Animals born before that get an extra three-year window to be marked and registered. Each step, marking and registration, is capped at around 50 złoty, with the limit tied to the average wage.
Owners will be able to check and partly edit their pet's record through the mObywatel app, and receive rabies-vaccination reminders. If you live in Poland with a dog or cat, this will apply to you, so it is worth sorting out early rather than in a last-minute rush.
Does a chip alone bring your pet home?
Not on its own. A microchip identifies your pet in the register and proves ownership, but only a scanner — at a vet, shelter or council — can read it. The neighbour who finds your dog in the street does not carry one in their pocket.
That is where a visible tag comes in. A QR code or NFC chip on the collar reads with any phone, no app, so a finder sees your pet's profile and calls you on the spot. Chip and tag do not compete: the chip works in the register, the tag works on the pavement. Keep both.
FAQ
Does this law apply to cats too?
Yes. For cats it covers animals with an owner and those in shelters or rescue care. Local councils decide about free-roaming cats, except cats living on farms.
When does the obligation begin?
The law enters into force two years after publication in the Journal of Laws, around 2028. Pets born earlier get an additional three years to be marked and registered.
If my pet is chipped, do I still need a tag?
Yes. A chip needs a special reader that passers-by do not have. A QR or NFC tag reads with any phone, so a finder can contact you immediately. The two work best together.