As of July 1, 2026, a nationwide certification of competence is required in Austria for anyone who wants to own a dog for the first time—four hours of theory before acquiring the dog, and two hours of hands-on training with the dog within twelve months.

The basis for this is an amendment to the Second Animal Husbandry Ordinance (Federal Law Gazette II No. 144/2026), published on June 18, 2026, based on the Animal Welfare Act amendment already passed in 2024. For dog owners, this is more than just a formality: Anyone who already knows that their future dog might be required to wear a muzzle—such as a “listed dog” or a breed with an increased risk potential—should consider the new certificate of competence and the existing state regulations on muzzling requirements together from the very beginning, rather than checking off each one separately.

What is the new certificate of competence for dog owners?

A mandatory demonstration of basic theoretical and practical knowledge that everyone who owns a dog for the first time on or after July 1, 2026, must provide.

The certification consists of two parts: at least four hours of theoretical training, which must be completed before acquiring the dog, and a two-hour practical session with the applicant’s own dog. This regulation establishes a uniform nationwide minimum standard for the first time—until now, each federal state had its own, varying requirements for proficiency certificates or dog handler licenses, ranging from voluntary to mandatory to no regulations at all. In the future, the proficiency certificate will also be a prerequisite for properly registering a dog with the local municipality.

Who will be required to provide proof of competence starting in 2026?

Any person who is getting a dog for the first time and does not yet have the required documentation or an exemption.

The theory course must be completed in the federal state where the future owner resides, but is then valid throughout Austria. The course covers topics such as the basics of dog ownership, animal welfare, legal obligations, breeding practices and cruelty, species-appropriate care, nutrition, health, body language, and signs of stress and reassurance. The courses may only be conducted by qualified professionals—such as dog trainers certified in animal welfare, certified trainers (for example, through DogAudit), and trainers and competition judges from recognized professional associations. In some federal states, such as Upper Austria, only in-person courses are permitted—online-only courses are not sufficient there.

How does the practical session work?

Two hours of hands-on training with your own dog, to be completed within twelve months of getting the dog.

The requirement is that the dog must be at least six months old at that time—so for a puppy, the practical training session will inevitably take place several months after the theory course. Anyone who acquires a dog with an increased risk potential must also provide an extended certificate of competence in accordance with Section 2a(4) of the Second Animal Keeping Ordinance. This differs from the general certification both in scope and content and is considered a separate course—the general certification does not replace it, nor does the other way around.

Who is exempt from the requirement to have the necessary expertise?

Experienced dog owners, certain professionals, and individuals with recognized qualifications are exempt.

Exemptions apply, among others, to individuals who already own a dog when adopting a new one or who have owned a dog for at least two years within the past two years—as verified through the pet database or an official confirmation of payment of the dog license fee. Also exempt are: veterinarians, dog trainers certified in animal welfare, active trainers and competition judges from recognized organizations, graduates of relevant training programs, and certified dog handlers from certain associations. However, anyone who has been convicted of animal cruelty or is subject to a ban on keeping animals is not permitted to provide proof of competence at all, regardless of these exceptions.

Does the certificate of proficiency exempt the dog from the muzzle and leash requirements?

No. The nationwide certification of competence is an additional requirement—the state laws regarding leash and muzzle requirements remain unchanged.

This is where many new owners get confused: The certificate of competence stipulates that, whether whether you’re allowed to have a dog, not such as you must walk it on a leash in public. Registration, liability insurance, and leash and muzzle requirements remain the responsibility of the states and can vary significantly depending on the state and municipality—the federal certification sets only a minimum standard here; stricter state regulations remain unaffected. Anyone adopting a “listed dog”—for which leash and muzzle requirements apply in urban areas in most states anyway—should therefore not only prepare for the theory course but also plan ahead to get a suitable, custom-made muzzle — standard sizes from pet stores do not fit many of the affected breeds properly anyway.

What happens if I don’t provide proof of expertise?

If proof is not provided, you may face administrative penalty proceedings and, in the event of a repeat offense, even the confiscation of the dog.

If an owner registers his or her dog with the municipality without the required certificate of competence, or if the owner fails to provide such proof on a permanent basis, the municipality will file a report with the district administrative authority, which will initiate administrative penalty proceedings. In the case of particularly dangerous dogs, the authority may, in addition to a fine, order the forfeiture—that is, the confiscation—of the animal. The exact amount of the fine depends on the implementation of state law; in practice, based on earlier, similar state regulations, fines were often in the low three-digit range, and in repeated or serious cases, significantly higher. Furthermore, the lack of proof may be considered evidence of the owner’s negligence in a lawsuit for damages following a biting incident—conversely, proof on file demonstrates that the owner has fulfilled their duty of care.

What are the rules during the transition period through 2027?

Existing state-issued certificates of competence may be recognized as equivalent on a temporary basis until June 30, 2027.

It is still unclear at this time how individual federal states will align their existing courses with the new federal certification and whether state certifications already obtained will automatically be sufficient. Anyone who already holds a state-issued dog handler’s license — such as the voluntary Vienna dog handler’s license, which has been in existence since 2006, or a certificate issued under a state proficiency regulation — should, as a precaution, check with the relevant municipal or state office to see if it will be recognized for the new federal certification.

Conclusion: Proof of expertise and the muzzle requirement should be considered together

The new certificate of competence makes dog ownership in Austria more formally demanding, but does not change the existing leash and muzzle requirements of the federal states—it is in addition to them, not in place of them. Anyone who gets a dog in 2026 or later—especially a breed with a higher risk potential or a short muzzle—should plan for the theory course, practical training, and the appropriate muzzle equipment together from the very beginning. Anyone who already owns a dog today—and for whom the proficiency requirement does not apply retroactively—is well advised to regularly check their state’s rules on leash and muzzle requirements anyway—these can change at any time, regardless of the new federal law.