Registering the dog license fee

If you own a dog you have to register it at your municipal offices and pay a dog license fee for your dog.

The dogs tax is a municipal tax. Each district can set its own rules for this. Therefore the requirements and the amount of tax can vary from district to district.

Prerequisite

You keep a dog.

Responsible department

the municipal administration/city council (Gemeinde-/Stadtverwaltung)

Procedure

You can register in person or in writing.

You can use the form "Registration of the dog license fee" which is available at the municipal offices to register your dog. Depending on what is offered by your municipality, you can also download the form from the internet.

Deadlines

You must register the dog within one month of the day on which you

  • gain possession of the dog or
  • moved to the district.

The district can set a shorter or longer deadline.

Required documents

  • possibly: pedigree certificate (could be signification for the amount of dog license fee)

Note: Ask the competent body in advance about the documents you will have to submit.

Detailed information

Should you fail to register your dog, this represents an administrative offence.

Please also consider possible regulations concerning mandatory leashes, disposal of dog waste and prohibited locations, such as butchers shops in your district.

Legal basis

§ 9 Kommunalabgabengesetz (KAG) (Gemeindesteuern) in connection with the relevant articles of association of your municipality

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Innenministerium and the Finanzministerium released it on 02.03.2017. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.

In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.