diff --git a/pulser-core/pulser/devices/_device_datacls.py b/pulser-core/pulser/devices/_device_datacls.py
index 0bd99e041..8244948c9 100644
--- a/pulser-core/pulser/devices/_device_datacls.py
+++ b/pulser-core/pulser/devices/_device_datacls.py
@@ -37,11 +37,15 @@
 
 DIMENSIONS = Literal[2, 3]
 
-ALWAYS_OPTIONAL_PARAMS = (
-    "max_sequence_duration",
-    "max_runs",
-    "dmm_objects",
-    "default_noise_model",
+ALWAYS_OPTIONAL_PARAMS = ("max_sequence_duration", "max_runs")
+OPTIONAL_IN_ABSTR_REPR = tuple(
+    list(ALWAYS_OPTIONAL_PARAMS)
+    + [
+        "dmm_objects",
+        "default_noise_model",
+        "requires_layout",
+        "accepts_new_layouts",
+    ]
 )
 PARAMS_WITH_ABSTR_REPR = ("channel_objects", "channel_ids", "dmm_objects")
 
@@ -61,7 +65,7 @@ class BaseDevice(ABC):
         dmm_objects: The DMM subclass instances specifying each channel in the
             device. They are referenced by their order in the list, with the ID
             "dmm_[index in dmm_objects]".
-        rybderg_level: The value of the principal quantum number :math:`n`
+        rydberg_level: The value of the principal quantum number :math:`n`
             when the Rydberg level used is of the form
             :math:`|nS_{1/2}, m_j = +1/2\rangle`.
         max_atom_num: Maximum number of atoms supported in an array.
@@ -83,6 +87,8 @@ class BaseDevice(ABC):
         default_noise_model: An optional noise model characterizing the default
             noise of the device. Can be used by emulator backends that support
             noise.
+        requires_layout: Whether the register used in the sequence must be
+            created from a register layout. Only enforced in QPU execution.
     """
 
     name: str
@@ -96,6 +102,7 @@ class BaseDevice(ABC):
     max_layout_filling: float = 0.5
     max_sequence_duration: int | None = None
     max_runs: int | None = None
+    requires_layout: bool = False
     reusable_channels: bool = field(default=False, init=False)
     channel_ids: tuple[str, ...] | None = None
     channel_objects: tuple[Channel, ...] = field(default_factory=tuple)
@@ -464,8 +471,8 @@ def _to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
     def _to_abstract_repr(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         defaults = get_dataclass_defaults(fields(self))
         params = self._params()
-        for p in ALWAYS_OPTIONAL_PARAMS:
-            if params[p] == defaults[p]:
+        for p in OPTIONAL_IN_ABSTR_REPR:
+            if p in params and params[p] == defaults[p]:
                 params.pop(p, None)
         # Delete parameters of PARAMS_WITH_ABSTR_REPR in params
         for p in PARAMS_WITH_ABSTR_REPR:
@@ -500,7 +507,15 @@ class Device(BaseDevice):
     Attributes:
         name: The name of the device.
         dimensions: Whether it supports 2D or 3D arrays.
-        rybderg_level : The value of the principal quantum number :math:`n`
+        channel_objects: The Channel subclass instances specifying each
+            channel in the device.
+        channel_ids: Custom IDs for each channel object. When defined,
+            an ID must be given for each channel. If not defined, the IDs are
+            generated internally based on the channels' names and addressing.
+        dmm_objects: The DMM subclass instances specifying each channel in the
+            device. They are referenced by their order in the list, with the ID
+            "dmm_[index in dmm_objects]".
+        rydberg_level: The value of the principal quantum number :math:`n`
             when the Rydberg level used is of the form
             :math:`|nS_{1/2}, m_j = +1/2\rangle`.
         max_atom_num: Maximum number of atoms supported in an array.
@@ -522,15 +537,22 @@ class Device(BaseDevice):
         default_noise_model: An optional noise model characterizing the default
             noise of the device. Can be used by emulator backends that support
             noise.
+        requires_layout: Whether the register used in the sequence must be
+            created from a register layout. Only enforced in QPU execution.
         pre_calibrated_layouts: RegisterLayout instances that are already
             available on the Device.
+        accepts_new_layouts: Whether registers built from register layouts
+            that are not already calibrated are accepted. Only enforced in
+            QPU execution.
     """
 
     max_atom_num: int
     max_radial_distance: int
+    requires_layout: bool = True
     pre_calibrated_layouts: tuple[RegisterLayout, ...] = field(
         default_factory=tuple
     )
+    accepts_new_layouts: bool = True
 
     def __post_init__(self) -> None:
         super().__post_init__()
@@ -701,7 +723,15 @@ class VirtualDevice(BaseDevice):
     Attributes:
         name: The name of the device.
         dimensions: Whether it supports 2D or 3D arrays.
-        rybderg_level : The value of the principal quantum number :math:`n`
+        channel_objects: The Channel subclass instances specifying each
+            channel in the device.
+        channel_ids: Custom IDs for each channel object. When defined,
+            an ID must be given for each channel. If not defined, the IDs are
+            generated internally based on the channels' names and addressing.
+        dmm_objects: The DMM subclass instances specifying each channel in the
+            device. They are referenced by their order in the list, with the ID
+            "dmm_[index in dmm_objects]".
+        rydberg_level: The value of the principal quantum number :math:`n`
             when the Rydberg level used is of the form
             :math:`|nS_{1/2}, m_j = +1/2\rangle`.
         max_atom_num: Maximum number of atoms supported in an array.
@@ -723,6 +753,8 @@ class VirtualDevice(BaseDevice):
         default_noise_model: An optional noise model characterizing the default
             noise of the device. Can be used by emulator backends that support
             noise.
+        requires_layout: Whether the register used in the sequence must be
+            created from a register layout. Only enforced in QPU execution.
         reusable_channels: Whether each channel can be declared multiple times
             on the same pulse sequence.
     """
diff --git a/tests/test_abstract_repr.py b/tests/test_abstract_repr.py
index a9cb5b698..64075c8fb 100644
--- a/tests/test_abstract_repr.py
+++ b/tests/test_abstract_repr.py
@@ -307,9 +307,18 @@ def check_error_raised(
         )
         assert isinstance(prev_err.__cause__, ValueError)
 
-    @pytest.mark.parametrize("field", ["max_sequence_duration", "max_runs"])
-    def test_optional_device_fields(self, field):
-        device = replace(MockDevice, **{field: 1000})
+    @pytest.mark.parametrize(
+        "og_device, field, value",
+        [
+            (MockDevice, "max_sequence_duration", 1000),
+            (MockDevice, "max_runs", 100),
+            (MockDevice, "requires_layout", True),
+            (AnalogDevice, "requires_layout", False),
+            (AnalogDevice, "accepts_new_layouts", False),
+        ],
+    )
+    def test_optional_device_fields(self, og_device, field, value):
+        device = replace(og_device, **{field: value})
         dev_str = device.to_abstract_repr()
         assert device == deserialize_device(dev_str)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_devices.py b/tests/test_devices.py
index f47a31edc..5264d0b65 100644
--- a/tests/test_devices.py
+++ b/tests/test_devices.py
@@ -419,6 +419,7 @@ def test_convert_to_virtual():
     ).to_virtual() == VirtualDevice(
         supports_slm_mask=False,
         reusable_channels=False,
+        requires_layout=True,
         dmm_objects=(),
         **params,
     )
@@ -434,7 +435,8 @@ def test_device_params():
     init_virtual_params = virtual_DigitalAnalogDevice._params(init_only=True)
     assert all_virtual_params == init_virtual_params
     assert set(all_params) - set(all_virtual_params) == {
-        "pre_calibrated_layouts"
+        "pre_calibrated_layouts",
+        "accepts_new_layouts",
     }