Which reptiles require a permit in Switzerland?
For venomous snakes unless the FSVO lists them as harmless, giant snakes over three metres (except the boa constrictor), all chameleons, crocodilians, beaded lizards, iguanas, tegus and monitors over one metre, a few other lizards, tortoises and turtles such as the African spurred tortoise, and the Goliath frog and giant salamanders. Article 89 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance lists them.
- Entries in Art. 89
- 25
- Species with their own page
- 12
The permit is issued by the cantonal veterinary office, and it must be in hand before the animal is acquired. In most cases a certificate of competence under article 85 paragraph 3 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance is also required: Likewise before the animal moves in.
Keeping a permit-required animal without a permit breaches the Animal Welfare Act. The animal can be seized, and a permit granted after the fact is not guaranteed. Anyone considering such an acquisition should therefore first ask the veterinary office whether the intended housing could be approved at all.
This overview sorts the classifications held in the app’s data and replaces no official information. The cantonal veterinary office decides, and it decides case by case: By species, origin, size of the animal and the conditions on site.
Everything Article 89 covers
Article 89 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance lists the wild animals that private keepers may only hold with a permit. For reptiles and amphibians these are letters f, g and h, with 25 entries, from single species to whole families. Each one is shown here with the wording of the ordinance, an explanation and any species pages that already exist.
Tortoises and turtles
Sea turtles
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“sea turtles (Cheloniidae, Dermochelyidae)”
Both sea turtle families, i.e. every species from the green turtle to the leatherback.
- Training: a qualified animal keeper; with only one group of animals, specialist training independent of a profession (Art. 85 paras. 1 and 2 TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: no row of its own in Annex 2, letter K applies
Galapagos and Seychelles giant tortoises
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“Galapagos and Seychelles giant tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra, Dipsochelys spp.)”
The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands and the Seychelles. The genus Dipsochelys is now called Aldabrachelys.
- Training: a qualified animal keeper; with only one group of animals, specialist training independent of a profession (Art. 85 paras. 1 and 2 TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 1
African spurred tortoise
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“African spurred tortoise (Geochelone [Centrochelys] sulcata)”
A large tortoise from the Sahel, now Centrochelys sulcata. The ordinance lists it separately from the giant tortoises (Annex 2, note 6 to table 5). A certificate of competence is therefore enough. The FSVO confirms this in its technical information 13.2 and has recognised a certificate-of-competence course specifically for African spurred tortoises.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 2
Species pages: African spurred tortoise
Snapping turtles
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“snapping turtles (Chelydridae)”
The family of snapping and alligator snapping turtles. Table 5 names the alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) and the snapping turtles (Chelydra). Annex 2 counts both among the defensive reptiles.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, items 5 and 5a
Snake-necked turtles
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“snake-necked turtles (Chelidae)”
The whole family of side-necked turtles from South America, Australia and New Guinea that fold the neck sideways under the shell, such as the mata mata (Chelus fimbriata).
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 11
African side-necked turtles
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“African side-necked turtles (Pelomedusiae)”
Side-necked turtles from Africa and Madagascar: the family Pelomedusidae with the genera Pelomedusa and Pelusios.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 10
Large softshell turtles
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“large softshell turtles (Amyda cartilaginea, Aspideretes nigricans, Chitra spp., Pelochelys spp., Rafetus spp., Trionyx triunguis)”
Softshell turtles have a leathery shell without horny scutes. Only the large species and genera named need a permit; smaller ones such as Apalone or Pelodiscus appear in table 5 under item 7 without the permit note.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 6
Giant South American river turtle
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“large South American river turtles (Podocnemis expansa)”
Only the Arrau turtle from the Amazon basin. The other South American river turtles appear in table 5 under item 12a without the permit note.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 12
Large Asian river turtles
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“large Asian river turtles (Batagur borneensis, Orlitia borneensis)”
Only these two species of the Asian river turtle family (Geoemydidae).
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 8a
Crocodilians and tuatara
Crocodilians
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“all crocodilians (Crocodylia)”
All crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials, without exception and regardless of size.
- Training: a qualified animal keeper; with only one group of animals, specialist training independent of a profession (Art. 85 paras. 1 and 2 TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 59
Tuataras
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“tuataras (Sphenodon spp.)”
The tuatara of New Zealand. Not a lizard, but the last surviving member of an order of its own (Rhynchocephalia).
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 60
Lizards
Galapagos land iguanas
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus spp.)”
The land iguanas of the Galapagos Islands.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 17
Marine iguana
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)”
The Galapagos iguana that dives in the sea to feed on algae.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: no row of its own in Annex 2, letter K applies
Iguanas, tegus and monitors over 1 m
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“iguanas, tegus and monitor lizards that reach a total length of more than 1 m as adults”
What counts is the total length of adult animals, tail included. Table 5 marks as permit-bound the green iguanas (Iguana), large ground-dwelling iguanas such as rock iguanas (Cyclura), caiman lizards (Dracaena, Crocodilurus), large tegus (Tupinambis) and the large monitors of items 36 to 41.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required only for rock iguanas (Cyclura spp.) (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, items 16, 17, 26, 27 and 36 to 41
Species pages: Argentine black and white tegu, Green iguana, Savannah monitor
Mitchell’s water monitor
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“Mitchell’s water monitor (Varanus mitchelli)”
A monitor from northern Australia that lives near water. Named explicitly, so it needs a permit regardless of length.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: no row of its own in Annex 2, letter K applies
Rusty monitor
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“rusty monitor (Varanus semiremex)”
A monitor from the mangroves of north-eastern Australia. Named explicitly, so it needs a permit regardless of length.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: no row of its own in Annex 2, letter K applies
Gila monsters and beaded lizards
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“beaded lizards (Heloderma)”
Venomous lizards from North and Central America, every species of the genus, including the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) and the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum). Their enclosures fall under the safety rules for venomous reptiles.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, items 35 and 35a
Species pages: Gila monster
Sailfin lizards
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“sailfin lizards (Hydrosaurus spp.)”
Large agamas with a tall tail crest that live near water in South-East Asia and New Guinea.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 18
Flying dragons
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“flying dragons (Draco spp)”
Small agamas from South and South-East Asia that glide from tree to tree on flaps of skin along their sides.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 23a
Thorny devil
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“thorny devil (Moloch horridus)”
A spiny agama from the arid regions of Australia that feeds almost only on ants.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, item 23b
Chameleons
All chameleons
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“all chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)”
Every chameleon species requires a permit, from the veiled chameleon to the smallest leaf chameleon. None is banned: with a permit you may keep any species. When buying you also need CITES papers: all chameleons are listed in CITES Appendix II, Brookesia perarmata even in Appendix I.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required for all except the veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, items 13 to 15
Species pages: Veiled chameleon, Panther chameleon, Bearded pygmy chameleon, Carpet chameleon
Snakes
Giant snakes over 3 m
Art. 89 let. f TSchV
“giant snakes that grow longer than 3 m as adults, except the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor)”
Giant snakes are pythons and boas. Table 5 marks as permit-bound Epicrates angulifer, Liasis olivaceus, L. oenpelliensis, L. papuanus, Morelia amethistina, M. boeleni, Python molurus, P. natalensis, P. reticulatus, P. sebae and all anacondas (Eunectes). Small and medium-sized pythons and boas such as the ball python or carpet python appear under item 43a without the note.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- No expert opinion required under Art. 92 TSchV
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, items 42 and 43
Species pages: Burmese python, Reticulated python
Venomous snakes
Art. 89 let. h TSchV
“snakes that have a venom apparatus and can use the venom (venomous snakes), except the harmless venomous snakes specified by the FSVO in an ordinance.”
A venom apparatus means venom glands and fangs. This covers, for example, cobras, mambas and sea snakes (elapids), vipers and pit vipers such as rattlesnakes, and some colubrids that table 5 names explicitly (Rhabdophis, Balanophis, Boiga dendrophila, B. blandingii, Dispholidus typus, Thelotornis). Exempt are the genera and species on the FSVO list further down.
- Training: a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c TSchV)
- Expert opinion required only for sea snakes (Hydrophiinae) (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 5, items 44 to 58
- To the list of harmless venomous snakes
Species pages: Western diamondback rattlesnake
Amphibians
Goliath frog
Art. 89 let. g TSchV
“Goliath frog”
The largest frog in the world (Conraua goliath), from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. The ordinance does not give the scientific name.
- Training: a qualified animal keeper; with only one group of animals, specialist training independent of a profession (Art. 85 paras. 1 and 2 TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: no row of its own in Annex 2, letter K applies
Giant salamanders
Art. 89 let. g TSchV
“giant salamanders”
The giant salamanders of East Asia (Andrias) and the North American hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). Table 6 lists both under item 12 with the permit note.
- Training: a qualified animal keeper; with only one group of animals, specialist training independent of a profession (Art. 85 paras. 1 and 2 TSchV)
- Expert opinion required (Art. 92 para. 1 TSchV)
- Minimum dimensions: Annex 2, table 6, item 12
Wording from the Animal Welfare Ordinance (SR 455.1) as amended on 1 February 2026, retrieved from Fedlex on 16 October 2026. The English wording is our own translation; only the German, French and Italian texts are official. Animal Welfare Ordinance on Fedlex
Harmless venomous snakes: the FSVO list
Venomous snakes that the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) designates as harmless need no permit (Art. 89 let. h TSchV). The list is in the annex to the FSVO Ordinance on Keeping Wild Animals (SR 455.110.3, Art. 17).
It has 422 rows: 363 whole genera in which every species counts as harmless (“spp.”), and 53 single species from 6 genera in which other species still need a permit. Most entries are colubrids (Colubridae). Anything not on the list that has a venom apparatus needs a permit.
Of the snakes with their own page, these are on the list through their genus: African house snake (Boaedon), Amur rat snake (Elaphe), Beauty rat snake (Elaphe), Black kingsnake (Lampropeltis), California kingsnake (Lampropeltis), Common garter snake (Thamnophis), Corn snake (Pantherophis), Gopher snake (Pituophis), Mandarin rat snake (Euprepiophis), Mexican kingsnake (Lampropeltis), Milk snake (Lampropeltis), Western hognose snake (Heterodon), Western rat snake (Pantherophis).
Show all 422 entries
Note in the ordinance: “spp.” in the species column means that all species assigned to the genus concerned are considered harmless.
Acrochordidae1 entry
Acrochordus
Aniliidae1 entry
Anilius
Anomalepididae4 entries
Anomalepis, Helminthophis, Liotyphlops, Typhlophis
Anomochilidae1 entry
Anomochilus
Colubridae297 entries
Adelophis, Adelphicos, Aeluroglena, Afronatrix, Ahaetulla, Alsophis, Amastridium, Amnesteophis, Amphiesma, Amphiesmoides, Anoplohydrus, Apostolepis, Aprosdoketophis, Archelaphe, Argyrogena, Arizona, Arrhyton, Aspidura, Atractus, Atretium, Bamanophis, Blythia, Bogertophis, Boiruna, Borikenophis, Caaeteboia, Calamaria, Calamodontophis, Calamorhabdium, Caraiba, Carphophis, Cemophora, Cercophis, Chapinophis, Chersodromus, Chilomeniscus, Chionactis, Chironius, Chrysopelea, Clelia, Clonophis, Coelognathus, Collorhabdium, Coluber, Colubroelaps, Coniophanes, Conophis, Conopsis, Contia, Coronella, Crisantophis, Crotaphopeltis, Cryophis, Cubophis, Cyclocorus, Cyclophiops, Dasypeltis, Dendrelaphis, Dendrophidion, Diadophis, Diaphorolepis, Dinodon, Dipsadoboa, Dipsas, Ditaxodon, Dolichophis, Drepanoides, Drymarchon, Drymobius, Drymoluber, Dryocalamus, Dryophiops, Echinanthera, Eirenis, Elachistodon, Elaphe, Elapoidis, Elapomorphus, Emmochliophis, Enuliophis, Enulius, Erythrolamprus, Etheridgeum, Euprepiophis, Farancia, Ficimia, Geagras, Geophis, Gomesophis, Gongylosoma, Gonyophis, Gonyosoma, Grayia, Gyalopion, Haitiophis, Hapsidophrys, Helicops, Helophis, Hemerophis, Hemorrhois, Heterodon, Hierophis, Hologerrhum, Hydrablabes, Hydraethiops, Hydrodynastes, Hydromorphus, Hydrops, Hypsiglena, Hypsirhynchus, Ialtris, Iguanognathus, Imantodes, Lampropeltis, Leptodeira, Leptodrymus, Leptophis, Limnophis, Lioheterophis, Liopeltis, Liophis, Lycodon, Lycognathophis, Lygophis, Lytorhynchus, Macrocalamus, Macroprotodon, Magliophis, Manolepis, Mastigodryas, Meizodon, Mussurana, Myersophis, Natriciteres, Natrix, Nerodia, Ninia, Nothopsis, Oligodon, Omoadiphas, Oocatochus, Opheodrys, Opisthotropis, Oreocalamus, Oreocryptophis, Orthriophis, Oxybelis, Oxyrhopus, Pantherophis, Parahelicops, Paraphimophis, Pararhabdophis, Paratapinophis, Philothamnus, Phimophis, Phyllorhynchus, Pituophis, Plagiopholis, Platyceps, Plesiodipsas, Pliocercus, Poecilopholis, Pseudalsophis, Pseudelaphe, Pseudoboa, Pseudoeryx, Pseudoficimia, Pseudoleptodeira, Pseudorabdion, Pseudotomodon, Pseudoxenodon, Pseustes, Psomophis, Ptyas, Ptychophis, Rabdion, Regina, Rhabdops, Rhachidelus, Rhadinaea, Rhadinella, Rhadinophanes, Rhadinophis, Rhamnophis, Rhinechis, Rhinobothryum, Rhinocheilus, Rhynchocalamus, Rhynchophis, Rodriguesophis, Salvadora, Saphenophis, Scaphiodontophis, Scaphiophis, Scolecophis, Seminatrix, Senticolis, Sibon, Sibynomorphus, Sibynophis, Simophis, Sinonatrix, Siphlophis, Sonora, Sordellina, Spalerosophis, Spilotes, Stegonotus, Stenorrhina, Storeria, Symphimus, Sympholis, Synophis, Taeniophallus, Tantalophis, Tantilla, Tantillita, Telescopus, Tetralepis, Thalesius, Thamnodynastes, Thamnophis, Thermophis, Thrasops, Tomodon, Trachischium, Tretanorhinus, Trimetopon, Trimorphodon, Tropidoclonion, Tropidodipsas, Tropidodryas, Tropidonophis, Uromacer, Uromacerina, Urotheca, Virginia, Xenelaphis, Xenochrophis, Xenodon, Xenopholis, Xyelodontophis
Boiga, only these species: B. adamanensis, B. angualata, B. barnesii, B. beddomei, B. benkuluensis, B. bouretti, B. ceylonensis, B. cyanea, B. cynodon, B. dightoni, B. drapiezeii, B. forsteni, B. gokool, B. gunagxiensis, B. irregularis, B. jaspidea, B. kraepelini, B. multifasciata, B. multomaculata, B. nuchalis, B. ochracea, B. philippina, B. quincunciata, B. saengsomi, B. schultzei, B. siamensis, B. tanahjampeana, B. trigonata, B. wallachiNote: “permit required for: B. dendrophila, B. nigriceps, B. blandingii, B. pulverulenta”
Phalotris, only these species: P. bilineatus, P. concolor, P. cuyanus, P. labiomaculatus, P. lativittatus, P. matogrossensis, P. mertensi, P. multipunctatus, P. nasutus, P. nigrilatus, P. punctatus, P. sansebastiani, P. tricolorNote: “permit required for: Phalotris lemniscatus”
Philodryas, only these species: P. baroni, P. matogrossensis, P. psammophidea, P. trilineataNote: “permit required for: Philodryas olfersii”
Tachymenis, only these species: T. affinis, T. attenuata, T. chilensis, T. elongata, T. tarmensisNote: “permit required for: Tachymenis peruviana”
Cylindrophiidae1 entry
Cylindrophis
Gerrhopilidae / Typhlopidae9 entries
Acutotyphlops, Afrotyphlops, Cyclotyphlops, Gerrhopilus, Grypotyphlops, Letheobia, Ramphotyphlops, Rhinotyphlops, Typhlops
Homalopsidae17 entries
Bitia, Brachyorrhos, Calamophis, Cantoria, Cerberus, Dieurostus, Djokoiskandarus, Enhydris, Erpeton, Ferania, Fordonia, Gerarda, Heurnia, Homalopsis, Myron, Myrrophis, Pseudoferania
Lamprophiidae61 entries
Alluaudina, Amblyodipsas, Amplorhinus, Aparallactus, Boaedon, Bothrolycus, Bothrophthalmus, Brachyophis, Brygophis, Buhoma, Chamaelycus, Chilorhinophis, Compsophis, Dendrolycus, Dipsina, Ditypophis, Dromicodryas, Duberria, Elapotinus, Exallodontophis, Gonionotophis, Hemirhagerrhis, Heteroliodon, Hormonotus, Hypoptophis, Inyoka, Ithycyphus, Lamprophis, Langaha, Leioheterodon, Liophidium, Liopholidophis, Lycodonomorphus, Lycodryas, Lycophidion, Macrelaps, Madagascarophis, Micrelaps, Micropisthodon, Mimophis, Montaspis, Oxyrhabdium, Pararhadinaea, Parastenophis, Phisalixella, Polemon, Prosymna, Psammodynastes, Psammophis, Psammophylax, Pseudaspis, Pseudoboodon, Pseudoxyrhopus, Pythonodipsas, Rhagerhis, Rhamphiophis, Thamnosophis
Homoroselaps, only these species: H. dorsalisNote: “permit required for: Homoroselops lacteus”
Malpolon, only these species: M. moilensisNote: “permit required for: Malpolon monspessulanus”
Leptotyphlopidae12 entries
Epacrophis, Epictia, Leptotyphlops, Mitophis, Myriopholis, Namibiana, Rena, Rhinoleptus, Siagonodon, Tetracheilostoma, Tricheilostoma, Trilepida
Pareatidae3 entries
Aplopeltura, Asthenodipsas, Pareas
Typhlopidae1 entry
Anilios
Uropeltidae8 entries
Brachyophidium, Melanophidium, Platyplectrurus, Plectrurus, Pseudotyphlops, Rhinophis, Teretrurus, Uropeltis
Xenodermatidae5 entries
Achalinus, Fimbrios, Stoliczkia, Xenodermus, Xylophis
Xenotyphlopidae1 entry
Xenotyphlops
Names and spellings as in the official text, even where they differ from current taxonomy (for example “Homoroselops lacteus”).
Version of 1 March 2015, the only one so far. Retrieved from Fedlex on 16 October 2026. FSVO Wild Animals Ordinance on Fedlex (German, French, Italian)
What it takes
What the Animal Welfare Ordinance requires for keeping animals that need a permit, each point with the article it comes from.
Permit before the animal moves in
Keeping the animal is what needs the permit (Art. 89). You apply to the veterinary office of the canton where the animal will live, using the form based on the FSVO template (Art. 94). It asks, among other things, for the species and maximum number, the size and furnishing of the enclosures and the training of the people caring for the animals (Art. 209a para. 2). A private permit is valid for two years at most and may come with conditions and requirements (Art. 96).
Conditions
The permit is only granted if rooms, enclosures and equipment suit the species and number of animals and the animals cannot escape, if the animals are protected where necessary from weather, disturbance, noise and exhaust fumes, and if the training requirements are met (Art. 95 para. 1 let. a, c and d). Regular veterinary supervision must be shown, except for small private holdings (let. e).
Training
If you keep permit-bound reptiles privately and look after them entirely yourself, a certificate of competence is enough (Art. 85 para. 3 let. c): a recognised course or a placement (Art. 198). Giant tortoises, sea turtles and crocodiles are excepted. For them, for the Goliath frog and giant salamanders, which para. 3 does not name, and for any holding in which other people also care for the animals, para. 1 applies: care under the responsibility of a qualified animal keeper. With only one group of animals with similar needs, specialist training independent of a profession (FBA) with theory and practice is enough (para. 2, Art. 197).
Expert opinion
For certain species the permit is only granted with an opinion from an independent, recognised expert showing that the enclosures and equipment allow the animals to be kept appropriately (Art. 92 para. 1 let. h and i). This covers sea turtles, Galapagos and Seychelles giant tortoises, the African spurred tortoise, all crocodilians, tuataras, Galapagos land iguanas, marine iguanas, rock iguanas, all chameleons except the veiled chameleon, flying dragons, the thorny devil, sea snakes, the Goliath frog and giant salamanders. You choose the expert together with the authority (Art. 92 para. 2).
Animal register
With the permit you keep an animal register (Art. 93): for each species, every addition with date, birth or origin and number, and every departure with date, name and address of the recipient or death, cause of death if known, method of killing and number.
Enclosures and minimum dimensions
The minimum dimensions are in Annex 2, table 5 for reptiles and table 6 for amphibians; rows that need a permit carry a note of their own there. Everything is calculated in body lengths of the largest animal: snout–vent length for lizards and crocodiles, shell length for tortoises and turtles, total length for snakes (preliminary note A on reptiles). For species without a row of their own, letter K applies: the enclosure must offer enough room for the necessary structures; expert reports serve as a guide.
Safety
Enclosures for defensive reptiles such as snapping and alligator snapping turtles, for venomous ones such as beaded lizards and venomous snakes, for large giant snakes and large lizards must be built and run with due regard to safety and need security locks such as padlocks or bolts (Annex 2, preliminary note C on reptiles). In holdings open to the public, safety glass and shift boxes or barriers are added.
Buying and passing on
In the trade, an animal that needs a permit may only be passed on to someone who holds a corresponding permit (Art. 109). So you need the permit when you buy.
CITES papers
The permit does not replace CITES papers. Many permit-bound species are also listed in the appendices of the Washington Convention (CITES), for example all chameleons in Appendix II and Brookesia perarmata in Appendix I. Import, export and passing on then need papers proving origin and lawful acquisition.
Spiders, scorpions and cantonal rules
The Animal Welfare Ordinance only applies to vertebrates, cephalopods and decapod crustaceans (Art. 1). So there is no permit under Art. 89 for spiders and scorpions, not even for venomous species. Cantonal rules on dangerous animals may still apply, including additional ones for reptiles: Basel-Stadt, for example, requires a permit for scorpions and spiders just as for venomous snakes, beaded lizards, monitors and giant snakes over 3 m (Reglement betreffend das Halten gefährlicher Tiere, SG 365.540, §§ 1 and 2, in German). So ask the cantonal veterinary office before you buy.
Sources: Animal Welfare Ordinance as amended on 1 February 2026; CITES status of chameleons from Species+, the UNEP-WCMC database of CITES listings; regulation of the canton of Basel-Stadt from the cantonal statute book. All retrieved on 16 October 2026. The binding decision rests with the cantonal veterinary office. Species+ · Basel-Stadt regulation (in German)
Species with their own page
These 12 permit-bound species have their own page on repticare.ch covering husbandry and the legal position. The permit requirement covers far more species: every entry of Article 89 is listed further up.
Snakes
3 Species
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus atroxRequires a permit as a venomous snake under Art. 89 let. h of the Ordinance: it covers snakes that have a venom apparatus and can use it. Only species designated harmless by the federal office are exempt; the western diamondback is not among them. Permit and proof of competence are required before acquisition
Advanced
Burmese python
Python bivittatusRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance covers giant snakes that grow longer than 3 m as adults. Only the boa constrictor is exempt
Advanced
Reticulated python
Malayopython reticulatusRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance covers giant snakes growing longer than 3 m as adults; the reticulated python usually grows to 4 to 6 m as an adult. Only the boa constrictor is exempt
Advanced
Lizards
4 Species
Green iguana
Iguana iguanaRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance covers iguanas that reach more than 1 m total length as adults: The green iguana grows considerably longer. Obtain the permit before acquisition
Advanced
Savannah monitor
Varanus exanthematicusRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance covers monitors reaching more than 1 m total length as adults. Large savannah monitors reach this length, and Annex 2, Table 5 of the Ordinance lists the species under item 36 as requiring a permit
Advanced
Argentine black and white tegu
Salvator merianaeRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance covers tegus reaching more than 1 m total length as adults. The Argentine tegu grows considerably longer
Advanced
Gila monster
Heloderma suspectumRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance expressly names the beaded lizards and Gila monsters (Heloderma), and Annex 2, Table 5 lists the Gila monster under item 35a with the note that private keeping requires a permit. The cantonal veterinary office issues the permit before acquisition
Advanced
Chameleons
4 Species
Veiled chameleon
Chamaeleo calyptratusRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance expressly names “all chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)”: Without exception and regardless of size. The cantonal veterinary office issues the permit before acquisition
Advanced
Panther chameleon
Furcifer pardalisRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance expressly names “all chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)”: Without exception and regardless of size. The cantonal veterinary office issues the permit before acquisition
Advanced
Carpet chameleon
Furcifer lateralisRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance expressly names “all chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)”: Without exception and regardless of size. The cantonal veterinary office issues the permit before acquisition. For all chameleons except the veiled chameleon, it requires an expert report by an independent, recognised specialist confirming that the planned enclosures and facilities allow animal-appropriate keeping (Art. 92 para. 1 let. h of the Ordinance); the applicant and the authority choose the specialist together
Advanced
Bearded pygmy chameleon
Rieppeleon brevicaudatusRequires a permit. Art. 89 let. f of the Ordinance expressly names “all chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)”: Without exception and regardless of size. The cantonal veterinary office issues the permit before acquisition. For all chameleons except the veiled chameleon, it requires an expert report by an independent, recognised specialist confirming that the planned enclosures and facilities allow animal-appropriate keeping (Art. 92 para. 1 let. h of the Ordinance); the applicant and the authority choose the specialist together
Intermediate
More overviews
Which reptiles may be kept in Switzerland without a permit?
Most of them. Article 89 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance lists exhaustively which wild animals require a permit. Anything not listed there may be kept without one.
Which reptiles and amphibians are banned in Switzerland?
The Animal Welfare Ordinance bans no species. Two are listed as invasive organisms in the Release Ordinance, though: the red-eared slider and the American bullfrog. They must not get into the environment: no releasing, no garden pond, no keeping outdoors. The FOEN (Federal Office for the Environment) also considers acquisition and keeping impermissible.
Which reptiles need CITES papers in Switzerland?
Every species listed in the appendices of the Washington Convention (CITES). That is considerably more than most people expect. Widely kept terrarium animals are among them.
The rules behind them (articles, responsibilities and what a certificate of competence is) are on Switzerland & law. The individual species pages are under Species.
