Register your dog in the new municipality within 2 weeks of moving. Fine up to €1,000 for non-compliance.
✓ Verified: 15/08/2026
WHAT TO DO
What is it and when to do it?
The Hundesteuer is a local municipal tax for keeping a dog. When you move to a new municipality you must deregister your dog in the old one and register in the new one within 2 weeks. The tax rate varies by city — Berlin is generally cheaper than Munich.
Where and how much does it cost?
Register at the Ordnungsamt or Stadthaus of your Gemeinde — often available online through the city portal. After the first payment you receive a Hundemarke (metal tag with a unique number). Your dog must wear it on its collar at all times. Check the current tax rate on your city’s website.
Common mistakes
Assuming Ordnungsamt registration covers everything. Several Bundesländer (e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen) separately require liability insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung) for every dog by law. Paying the Hundesteuer doesn’t cover this — the two obligations are independent.
Forgetting to formally deregister in the old Gemeinde. The old municipality keeps billing you until you actively deregister the dog there, even if you’re already paying at the new address.
Putting off registering a puppy “until it’s bigger”. In most municipalities the tax obligation starts around 3 months of age, not once the dog looks grown — check the exact age with your Gemeinde.
Overlooking breed-specific rules. Dogs on a “Listenhunde” (restricted breed) list may need a separate permit from the Ordnungsamt and a behavioural test (Wesenstest), on top of the standard registration and tax.
Moved from Hamburg to Stuttgart, deregistered the dog in Hamburg but forgot to register in Stuttgart. Three months later: a €750 fine and a demand to pay the tax for all missed months. Register in the new municipality at the same time as you deregister in the old one.
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Assumed the Hundemarke from the old city was valid everywhere. The warden in the park spotted the foreign number at once — in the new municipality the dog simply was not registered, and that is what the fine is for. Each Gemeinde issues its own tag, valid only there.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much is the Hundesteuer and what determines the rate?▾
The Hundesteuer is a municipal tax set independently by each Gemeinde. Typical rates: €50–200 per year for the first dog, 1.5–2× that for a second. For breeds on the 'Kampfhunde' (dangerous dogs) list the rate can reach €2,000 per year. Check the current rate on your municipality's website.
How long do I have to register my dog after moving?▾
In most municipalities: within 2 weeks of changing address or acquiring a dog. Registration is done at the Ordnungsamt, Stadthaus or via the municipality's online portal. After registering you receive a Hundemarke — a metal tag with a unique number.
What happens if I don't register my dog?▾
A fine of €500–1,000 depending on the municipality. The Ordnungsamt carries out checks in parks and on the street: inspectors verify that the Hundemarke is attached to the dog's collar. In addition to the fine: compulsory registration and back-payment of the tax for missed periods.