Cat microchipping: why even an apartment cat needs it, how it’s done, and what the law requires
“My cat never goes outside, so why should I get her microchipped?” It’s the most common question we hear. The answer has two parts: in Greece, microchipping is mandatory for every cat, and indoor cats get lost far more often than we think: an open window, a move, a carrier that opens on the way to the vet.
In this guide, you’ll learn what the law requires for cats, how to get your cat microchipped without stress, and what’s changing with the new European regulation.
At a glance
- Your cat must be microchipped and registered in the National Companion Animal Registry (EMZS) within 2 months of birth.
- This also applies to cats that never leave the house.
- The procedure takes a few seconds and can be done at home, without a carrier or a trip.
Contents
WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES FOR CATS
Law 4830/2021 treats cats exactly the same as dogs. The owner or adopter is required to ensure electronic identification (microchipping) and registration in the EMZS before the animal leaves its place of birth and, in any case, within 2 months of birth.
- If your cat is lost or found: this must be reported in the EMZS within 2 working days, either by the owner using their TAXISnet credentials or by a veterinarian (Joint Ministerial Decision 23726/2026, Government Gazette B’ 2525/05.05.2026).
- Changes to details (address, new owner) must also be reported in the EMZS.
- Fine for an unmicrochipped and unregistered cat: €300, the same as for a dog.
For detailed information about deadlines and fines, see our guide to dog microchipping. The rules for identification and registration are the same.
WHY INDOOR CATS NEED A MICROCHIP TOO
- Indoor cats often get lost: a window without a screen, a door left open during a move, a fall from the balcony. A frightened cat will hide and won’t find its way home on its own.
- Cats don’t usually wear collars. A microchip is the only permanent way to identify their owner. Any veterinary clinic or municipality can scan it.
- It proves the cat is yours, if you ever need it to.
- It’s needed for travel: a European pet passport and rabies vaccination require a microchip. See our guide to traveling abroad with a dog or cat.
- Smart accessories: feeders and cat flaps are available that open only for your cat’s microchip, useful in homes with multiple cats or special diets.
HOW MICROCHIPPING WORKS
- Scan with a reader to make sure the cat isn’t already microchipped (this often happens with adopted cats).
- Inject the microchip under the skin using a special sterile, single-use device. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice, and the injection takes just a few seconds.
- Scan again to confirm using the reader.
- Register the cat in the EMZS and issue a pet passport through the veterinarian. You can then view the registration yourself on pet.gov.gr using your TAXISnet credentials.
Does it hurt? Most cats react as they would to a vaccination: a quick prick and that’s all. No anesthesia or special aftercare is needed.
WHY IT’S BETTER TO MICROCHIP CATS AT HOME
For many cats, the hard part isn’t the injection, but everything that comes before it: the struggle to get into the carrier, the car ride, the smells and dogs in the waiting room. By the time the cat reaches the exam table, it’s already frightened.
At home, your cat can stay in familiar surroundings, the procedure is done calmly where it feels safe, and everything is over in a few minutes. The same visit can also include a physical examination, vaccinations, and parasite treatment.
Vet Heroes provide microchipping, EMZS registration, and pet passport issuance at your home in Athens and Attica. See our at-home veterinary services.
KITTENS, ADOPTIONS, AND SPECIAL CASES
- Kittens: kittens can be microchipped when they’re very young, and the law requires it before they turn 2 months old. It’s often done along with the first vaccination.
- A cat adopted from a shelter or animal welfare organization: it will usually already have a microchip. What’s needed is to transfer the registration to your name in the EMZS.
- A cat you’ve taken in from the street: first, have it scanned. If it has a microchip, someone may be looking for it. If it doesn’t, it can be microchipped and registered in your name.
- A frightened or aggressive cat: cats are usually calmer at home. If the cat won’t allow any handling, the microchip can be implanted during another procedure under anesthesia, such as spaying or neutering.
THE NEW EUROPEAN REGULATION
Until now, European law required microchipping only for cats traveling to another country. Whether it was mandatory for all cats was left to each country to decide: it is required in Greece, but not in some other countries, such as Germany.
On August 10, 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats was published. It makes microchipping and registration mandatory across the EU in successive stages: first for breeders, sellers, and shelters, and later for owners (for cats, from 2041).
What does this mean for you? Nothing changes in practice: the requirement is already in effect in Greece under Law 4830/2021. The European regulation brings the other countries in line and connects national databases, making it easier for a cat lost in another country to be reunited with its owner.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click a question to see the answer.
Is microchipping mandatory for a cat that never leaves the house?
Yes. Law 4830/2021 makes no distinction: every owned cat must be microchipped and registered in the EMZS.
Does it hurt the cat?
About as much as a vaccination. The injection takes a few seconds and requires no anesthesia.
Can it be done at the same time as spaying or neutering?
Yes, and it’s common, especially for cats that are difficult to handle. However, the 2-month deadline for kittens must still be met.
My cat is lost. What should I do?
Report the loss in the EMZS within 2 working days, either yourself using your TAXISnet credentials or through a veterinarian. You can choose to have a public notice posted with a photo. If someone finds your cat and scans its microchip, you’ll be notified.
Can the microchip move or stop working?
Rarely. It may sometimes shift a little under the skin, but it can still be scanned. It’s a good idea to have your veterinarian check it with a reader at your annual checkup.
I adopted a cat that already has a microchip. Do I need to do anything?
Yes: the cat’s registration must be transferred to your name in the EMZS. Check on pet.gov.gr that the details are correct.
IN SUMMARY
Cat microchipping is mandatory, takes a few seconds, and is the only way to find a cat that has gone missing. Even if your cat never goes outside.
Would you like it done at home, without a carrier or a trip? See the areas we serve and book a visit with Vet Heroes, or call us at 693 156 4363.
SOURCES
- Law 4830/2021 (Government Gazette 169/A/18.9.2021), “New framework for the welfare of companion animals – ARGOS Program,” as amended. e-nomothesia.gr
- Joint Ministerial Decision 23726/2026 (Government Gazette B’ 2525/05.05.2026) on the operating rules of the National Companion Animal Registry.
- Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. Summary: FVE – Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
- National Companion Animal Registry. pet.gov.gr
