Life with pets in Germany: a newcomer’s guide

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Moving to Germany with your pets is like relocating members your family. It comes with additional paperwork. Similarly, adopting & taking care of pets comes with its own bureaucratic battle.

This guide helps you get an overview of things you need to do as a pet owner in Germany. It covers administrative steps to enter the country, where to adopt, healthcare & insurance costs, local regulations, accommodation issues & more.

life with pets in germany guide

And as usual, feel free to ask questions in the comments section. I answer each question personally.

Bringing pets into Germany

Bringing your beloved pet to Germany is a manageable process with proper preparation. Here’s a concise overview of the key requirements and steps:

  • Age requirement: pets must be at least 15 weeks old to enter Germany. This accounts for the time needed for rabies vaccination and the subsequent immunity build-up.
  • Microchip identification: Your pet must have a microchip that complies with ISO standard 11784 and can be read with a corresponding ISO standard 11785 reader. Ensure your veterinarian uses the correct type.
  • Rabies vaccination: A valid rabies vaccination is mandatory. The vaccination must be administered after the microchip implantation. For first-time vaccinations, a waiting period of 21 days is required before entry into Germany. Booster vaccinations don’t have this.
  • For non-EU countries: Have your vet’ fill the official health certificate form in. This certificate should include details about the pet owner, pet description, rabies vaccination, and, if necessary, a rabies blood test. Be aware that this certificate is only valid 10 days (!)
  • For EU countries: An EU Pet Passport, available from authorized veterinarians, is required. Ensure that the rabies vaccination is valid.
  • A rabies antibody blood test: that is required only if your pet is coming from a high-risk (non-EU) country from this list, with the mention “rabies antibody titration test“.

Additional tips

  • Restricted breeds: Be aware that certain dog breeds are banned in Germany. Check the list of restricted breeds before traveling.
  • Travel preparation: Familiarize yourself with airline policies regarding pet travel, invest in a comfortable carrier, and ensure your pet’s well-being during the journey. Ask your vet if there are any measures (medical or others) you can take to make the journey less stressful too. Training your pet for travelling in the weeks leading up to departure is also recommended.
  • Up to 5 dogs, cats or ferrets may be brought per person when moving to Germany.
  • Up to 5 birds total may be brought into the country.
  • Up to to 3 rodents per person may be brought into the country.
  • Check if there are any country-specific requirements you need to fulfill. Your local authority in charge of animal welfare, agriculture or environment should have that information.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure a smooth transition for your furry friend into Germany. If you miss one of the requirements, your pet may be confiscated by the customs (Zollamt) and put into quarantine in a shelter at your own costs. That quarantine may last a week or several weeks, which can be traumatizing for your companion.

Overwhelmed? Check out one of the companies specialized in pet relocations to figure out how to best bring pets into Germany.

Adopting pets in Germany

There are several good ways to get a new pet in Germany, as well as some bad ways.

The wrong way

To put it simply: there is a black market for pets, often online or around borders to Germany. Puppies and kittens taken too early from their mothers, without proper food, care or water. It’s heartbreaking and often fatal for the animal. Things to watch out for:

  • sketchy online advertisements.
  • no visit with the mother.
  • taking the time to get to know you as a prospective owner.
  • no proper license to show you.
  • no proper sales contract.
  • meeting on the street and demanding immediate payment.

Be careful and report suspicious activity to the police. Be aware that you can pay a heavy fine if you are caught as customer under the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz).

The responsible way

Good ways to adopt pets include:

Responsible sellers will charge you a fee for each animal, show you their vaccination reports and sign a purchase contract (Kaufvertrag). Also, most shelters will require extra paperwork and sometimes home visits. All in the name of responsible pet ownership.

Good boi in sight

Living with pets in Germany

Permission from the landlord

Before getting a pet, check for permission with your landlord when renting or subletting a flat. While recent court decisions say that pets can’t be banned outright in the lease, landlords usually require that you get permission. The most common restrictions are on certain dog breeds that are considered dangerous. Owning a cat in Germany is much easier, but still requires that you check with the landlord. Kleintiere (small animals) may not be banned and don’t require additional permission. Check with your flatmates too.

Visits to the vet

Every pet owner hopes to never have to visit a Tierklinik (animal clinic) for an emergency or major surgery. But you’ll definitely need to find a local Tierarzt (veterinarian). Some of the more common reasons to visit the vet include: spaying or neutering, yearly vaccinations, teeth maintenance, injuries, poisoning, flea and tick prevention, and diagnosing illnesses. There are no compulsory procedures, with the exception of several required vaccinations (such as rabies for puppies), but every animal has its own typical medical issues.

Ask your vet for Germany pet passport documents if you have a dog, cat, or ferret. It’s required for EU travel and lists the animal’s microchip number, owner contact info, and vaccination history.

In public transit

Many public transportation systems in Germany are fine with pets accompanying you. Double check if you need an additional ticket for them or if restrictions apply. Most will require that you keep your dog on a leash and muzzled, with all other animals secured in carriers. Car travel has the extra requirement of a carrier or even seatbelt for dogs.

Pet supplies

There is a huge market for pet food, supplies, and services in Germany. You can find most anything online, as well as pet stores across the country, such as Fressnapf and Futterhaus. Whether you need a dog trainer, a cat sitter, dog hotel or want to get raw meats at the local Hundemetzger (butchers for dogs, also known as B.A.R.F. stores) – you can find just about anything by googling.

I recommend joining one of the many Facebook groups in your region for pet owners to ask specific questions, get help finding a lost animal and share cute pet photos.

Finding a pet-sitter

If you can’t find anybody in your group of friends or relatives, you can turn to local Facebook groups again or to platforms like Pawshake, which finds pet sitters in your area for you.

Registering your pet in the national database

Once you’ve got your pet safely home, one of the best things you can do for their safety is register them with TASSO. It’s a free pet recovery service that keeps a central database of microchipped animals in Germany. If your pet ever gets lost and someone finds them, vets, shelters, or even the police can scan the chip and contact you directly through TASSO. It’s a bit of extra admin, sure, but it massively increases your chances of getting your furry friend back quickly if the worst happens. Definitely worth the few minutes it takes!

About pet health insurance in Germany

Dogs, cats and horses are also vulnerable to injuries and sickness, just like you. Small things like an eyes or mouth check are often fairly limited in costs. Bigger surgeries or treatments can however amount to a lot.

Since medical costs can get pretty expensive, consider signing up for German pet health insurances (“Tierkrankenversicherung“). You’ll still need to pay for vet visits out of pocket, but your insurance will then refund you for standard procedures and operations. Those can be:

  • Prevention treatment
  • Castration
  • Surgery
  • Travel insurance

In terms of costs for pet health insurance in Germany, it’s anywhere between 130€ and 300€ for a cat, and minimum 250€ for dogs per year. Make sure to read the fine prints because policies are often quite limited (maximum coverage limited to 2000€ for example, or a 20% deductible/excess). Some companies are also covering vaccination.

You can turn to providers like Luko or Getsafe. They both provide flexible pet policies at an affordable rate, with all service and claims performed in English as well.

A good alternative for some pet owners: instead of a pet health insurance in Germany, consider a “surgery insurance” for your companion. It’s called “Operations­kosten­versicherung”, covering only heavier surgeries, but costing less at about 130€ per year.

Duties as a dog owner in Germany

Regardless of the breed, there are some rules every dog owner must follow:

  • Register your dog at the local Bürgeramt and pay the mandatory dog tax (“Hundesteuer“). You can calculate how much here.
  • Pick up their poop and follow local leash laws. For the latter there is some flexibility if you get the dog handler’s license (Hundeführerschein), which is the closest thing to a “TüV” for dog ownership. In several cities, the use of a leash is compulsory. Here is an overview.
  • Apply for a Hundefürhrerschein if applicable:
    • All German states require a dog license for owning a dangerous dog.
    • In Lower Saxony, a dog license is required for any dog.
    • In North Rhine-Westphalia, a competence exam (Sachkundebescheinigung) is required for dogs with a shoulder height over 40cm or a weight over 20kg.
  • Get liability insurance for your dog: Every owner is responsible for damages to persons or objects by their dog. It makes sense to get liability insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung) to cover potential costs. You can sign-up for a dog liability insurance with Feather, Luko or Getsafe, all digital and 100% in English.
  • Register your dog to the local dog register, the Hunderegister. This can be done online. Fee vary between cities:

Lastly, always check if there is a sign at the front door of an establishment prohibiting dogs. They’re not allowed in supermarkets and many public buildings, but most restaurants, hotels, and cafes allow dogs. Ask nicely, and the waiter will even provide you with some water for your furry friend.

Where to meet other pet owners

Anyone will tell you: there is nothing like 2 pets meeting in the park to instantly spark a conversation between owners. It’s a great way to socialize and meet new people, especially if you are new in Germany. You can connect in different ways:

  • Online: start by looking for Facebook groups in your area. It’s a good source of information too.
  • Meetups: You can also search for local Meetups or try with you luck with Google with terms like “Hundebegegnungen [city]” or “[animal]besitzer [city]”
  • Off-leash areas in your city: many cities have special off-leash areas called Hundezonen. These are fenced-in parks where your dog can run free and make a few furry friends. Berlin alone has dozens of them, and most are clearly marked with signs. Just make sure your dog is well-socialized and you’ve got a few poop bags handy.

I hope this little introduction to life with pets in Germany was useful. Don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comments. 🙂

Frequently asked questions about pets in Germany

Can my landlord ban all pets?

No: a complete ban on dogs and cats in a standard rental contract is usually invalid in Germany. A landlord must review each case individually and usually needs a valid reason to refuse permission (e.g. noise, allergies).

Which pets are always allowed?

“Kleintiere” such as fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, smaller birds, and turtles are always allowed-regardless of lease clauses.

Can I install a cat protection net on my balcony?

Possibly, but it depends. Courts balance the tenant’s interest in safety and the landlord’s interest in maintaining aesthetics. If allowed elsewhere in the building, it’s likely acceptable.

Do I have to register my dog and pay dog tax?

Yes. You must microchip and register your dog, and pay “Hundesteuer” (annual dog tax), which varies by municipality. Liability insurance is also typically required.

Is dog liability insurance mandatory?

In some states, yes-especially for larger or restricted breeds. Even where it’s not mandatory, liability insurance is strongly recommended to cover damage your dog might cause.

What are the rules for pet passports and bringing pets from abroad?

You need an EU pet passport issued by an authorized vet, a microchip, and up-to-date rabies vaccination done at least 30 days before moving.

Are certain dog breeds banned or restricted?

Yes-some breeds (e.g., Pit Bulls, Staffordshire, Bull Terriers, and their mixes) are banned or need permits and behavioral tests (“Wesenstest”) depending on the state.

Can I take my pet on public transport or into shops?

Generally yes, but dogs must be leashed and may require a muzzled in some regions. Pets are usually prohibited in food shops but often welcome in cafés, restaurants, and on public transit.

Sources & references

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