Proof of competence in Austria now also mandatory for reptiles, amphibians and parrots

How the proof is obtained

The submission of the proof is linked to the already existing registration requirement. For dogs, it is intended that the proof of competence be uploaded during the mandatory chipping and registration. "Vorgesehen ist, dass der Sachkundenachweis beim verpflichtenden Chippen samt Registrierung von Hunden hochgeladen wird", the report states.

Registration and wild animal notification

A comparable procedure applies to reptiles, amphibians and parrots: the proof is required as part of the mandatory wild animal notification. The APA writes: "Dasselbe ist bei der Wildtiermeldung von Reptilien, Amphibien und Papageien notwendig." This is intended to ensure that the responsible authorities can document the keepers' qualifications together with the registration of the animal.

Online courses due to lack of experts

A special feature concerns the delivery of courses for reptiles, amphibians and parrots. Because fewer experts are available for these animal groups, the federal states responsible for them may also offer online courses. The APA states: "Da es für diese Tiergruppen weniger Experten gibt, können die dafür zuständigen Länder auch Onlinekurse anbieten." This is intended to ensure comprehensive coverage despite limited expert capacity.

The background to the regulation is the desire to strengthen animal welfare and species protection in Austria. Particularly with exotic animals such as reptiles, amphibians and parrots, husbandry errors repeatedly occur, according to animal welfare organisations, because prospective keepers are not informed about the specific needs of these animals. The mandatory course is intended to set an initial hurdle and ensure that buyers engage with the requirements before acquiring an animal.

With the proof of competence, Austria is pursuing an approach that is also being discussed in other European countries. According to the available information, the combination of theoretical training, a registration requirement and, in the case of dogs, an additional practical unit is intended to help reduce animal suffering caused by a lack of expertise. At the same time, the report points out that this is a new acquisition regulation, meaning existing animal-keeping situations are not affected retroactively.

It remains unclear how the federal states will specifically design the range of online courses and which bodies will offer the theory and practical units. The available report also does not contain detailed information on which transitional periods or proof obligations apply to animals from abroad. The APA and the editorial team date their report to 1 July 2026, marking the day the regulation enters into force.

For keepers who wish to acquire a corresponding animal in the coming weeks, the new regulation means concretely: before the acquisition, a four-hour theory course must be completed, plus two practical hours in the case of dogs. The proof is then uploaded together with the mandatory registration or wild animal notification. Anyone who does not complete these steps cannot properly register the animal.