Taxes on Pets in Germany
(Steuern auf Haustiere in Deutschland)
Do you have to pay tax for owning pets in Germany?
Yes – but only for dogs.
Cats, fish, birds, reptiles and similar animals are not subject to a specific ownership tax.
The Hundesteuer is a local tax (Kommunalsteuer) imposed on every dog owner in Germany. The exact amount depends on the city or municipality.
Key facts:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Responsible authority | Local municipality / city administration |
| Annual tax amount | Varies, usually between 90 € – 150 € per dog |
| Second or third dog | Tax is often higher for the second and third dog |
| Certain breeds (listed dogs) | For so-called “dangerous breeds” it can reach about 500 € – 1,000 € per year, depending on federal state |
Yes, in certain situations, such as:
Guide dogs for blind people (Blindenhunde)
Rescue and assistance dogs
Dogs adopted from an animal shelter (Tierheim) → some municipalities grant exemptions for one year or more
People with very low income (e.g. Sozialhilfe / Bürgergeld) → in special hardship cases
In all these situations, you must submit a formal application for tax exemption to the local authority and provide the necessary documentation.
No, Hundesteuer is not considered a deductible expense in the regular income tax return (Steuererklärung).
However:
If the dog is used for professional purposes (for example, as a working dog for a dog trainer, security business, etc.)
→ the related costs may be treated as business expenses (Betriebsausgaben) and deducted accordingly.
| Animal | Subject to tax? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | No | No ownership tax on cats |
| Birds | No | For example parrots or canaries |
| Reptiles / fish | No | Some species may require special permits |
| Dogs | Yes | Must be registered with the municipality + dog tag (Hundemarke) |
Registering the dog with the local municipality within a few weeks after purchase or adoption
Paying the annual dog tax (usually based on an official tax assessment notice)
Ensuring the dog wears an official dog tag (Hundemarke)
In some federal states, taking out dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory
| German term | Arabic meaning |
|---|---|
| Hundesteuer | ضريبة الكلاب |
| Haustiere | الحيوانات الأليفة |
| Kommune / Gemeinde | البلدية |
| Hundemarke | رقم أو شريحة تعريف الكلب |
| Tierheim | مأوى الحيوانات |
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. However, errors may still occur and some details may be incomplete or not definitively confirmed. Please regard the information in this article as an initial point of reference only and always contact the relevant authorities or a qualified adviser for binding and up-to-date information.
