In 2021, there were 12,3 million dogs living in Germany. Do you want to add a dog to your family? Then it’s time to read up on what you should know about being a dog owner in Germany. Insurance expert Getsafe explains.
You must register your dog within two to four weeks of moving to a new address, which can usually be done at the Bürgeramt (citizens' office). If you don’t register your dog, you can be fined up to 10.000 euros or even receive jail time!
You also need to pay dog tax, which costs around 90 to 150 euros per year, per dog. Once the taxes are paid, your dog will get a Hundesteuermarke (dog tag) that it has to wear whenever it’s in public. If your dog is caught without it, you might be fined.
In these states, you must have dog liability insurance by the time your dog is three to six months old.
Dog liability insurance covers injuries caused by your dog to someone else or another dog, as well as damage caused by your dog to someone else’s or your own rented property. The amount you’ll have to pay depends on the type of dog you have, but is usually around 35 to 50 euros per year.
You must have dog liability insurance for some dog breeds (Kampfhunde—fighting dogs—or Listenhunde—dogs that are on a “potentially dangerous” list), no matter which state you live in.
Make sure to ask your Bürgeramt about the rules surrounding dog licences (Hundeführerscheine). Getting one is similar to getting a German driving licence, with a practical section and a theory section. In some areas, having a dog licence means you pay lower dog taxes or are allowed to walk your dog without a leash. In Lower Saxony, a Hundeführerschein is required for dog ownership.
Dogs can get a pet passport (EU-Heimtierausweis) and need one to travel within the EU. Your dog can only get a passport if it’s been microchipped. Passports are available at your veterinarian’s office.
Getting a dog passport makes sense because it also doubles as an Impfausweis (vaccination card), which you need, for example, to board your dog at a pet hotel.
German vet fees are centrally regulated and known as GOT (Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte). These regulations state a variety of prices ranging from GOT-1 (the minimum that a veterinarian can charge) up to GOT-4 (GOT-1 times 4). Every procedure has a GOT-1 that can be multiplied up to GOT-4. This system is in place to ensure fair pricing and reduce competition.
The GOT (1–4) that a veterinarian chooses depends on factors like the location of their practice, time of day, and other factors like unexpected complications during surgery.
GOT only covers veterinarian fees. Be sure to inform yourself about additional costs that aren’t covered (for instance medicines and materials). GOT costs also increased at the end of November 2022, so it’s a good idea to have pet health insurance.
With Getsafe, all microchip costs and tele-veterinarian costs are also covered!
Dogs in Germany are also expected to respect the Ruhezeiten. Dogs must limit their barking during the “quiet times” between 1pm-3pm and 10pm-6am. Outside of these times, dogs should not bark continuously for longer than 10 minutes, or for more than 30 minutes a day. Yes, this is a real thing!
Your neighbours can pursue legal action if your dog does not follow the rules, making legal insurance another recommendation for German dog owners.