Do I have to register my dog and pay dog tax?
Yes. Dog tax is a municipal tax: every owner must register the dog with the city/municipality and pay the tax — usually within a few weeks of taking the dog. The amount is set by each municipality (often €90–150 a year for the first dog; a second dog and so-called 'fighting dogs'/listed breeds often cost much more). You get a tax tag the dog should wear. You must deregister the dog on moving away, giving it up, or its death. There's no nationwide rule — the local dog-tax by-law decides.
📋 The rules
- Registration duty with the municipality, usually within a few weeks
- Amount set by the municipality (often €90–150/year first dog)
- Second dog and listed breeds are usually pricier
- You receive a tax tag for the collar
- Deregister on moving, giving up, or death of the dog
🔓 Exceptions
- Reduction/exemption often for guide, assistance and service dogs, and (temporarily) shelter dogs
- Some municipalities grant a tax-free first year for adopted shelter dogs
- Pure working animals (e.g. livestock guard) may be treated differently by the by-law
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Anyone who doesn't register their dog commits an administrative offence (municipal tax evasion): fines and back-payment of the tax, often retroactive to when the dog was taken. Municipalities run checks (tag, register comparison). Register correctly and pay the tax due and you're on the safe side.
📎 Official sources
- Bußgeldkatalog · Dog tax — duties →
- Federal Ministry of Finance · Local taxes (dog tax) →
- German Animal Welfare Federation · Registering a dog →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have to register every dog?
Yes. Every dog must be registered with the city or municipality, usually within a few weeks of taking it. You then pay the municipal dog tax and receive a tax tag.
How high is the dog tax?
Each municipality sets it. Around €90 to €150 a year for the first dog is common. A second dog and so-called listed/'fighting dogs' often cost much more — sometimes several hundred euros.
What happens if I don't register the dog?
It's an administrative offence. A fine and retroactive back-payment of the tax from when you took the dog can follow. Municipalities check this, e.g. via the tax tag and registration data.
Are there reductions or exemptions?
Often yes — for guide and assistance dogs, service dogs, or temporarily for adopted shelter dogs. The conditions are in the local dog-tax by-law; an application is usually needed.
Do I also have to deregister the dog?
Yes. On moving to another municipality, giving the dog up, or its death you must deregister it with your previous municipality so the tax liability ends. Otherwise you may keep paying.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “register dog municipality duty”
- “dog tax amount 2026”
- “unregistered dog fine”
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- “dog tax exemption assistance dog”
- “deregister dog tax”