Dogs in Canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland: rules, tax and travel
Basel-Stadt taxes the first dog CHF 160 (Basel city), requires liability insurance and registration with the Hundekontrolle, and first-time owners must complete a basic dog course within 12 months.
Three municipalities set their own rates: Basel, Riehen, Bettingen.
The national rules for Switzerland apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
No breed-specific rule found.
Registration and microchip
Register each dog with the Veterinaramt's Hundekontrolle at 3 months of age or within 10 days of acquiring it or moving in; also report changes to AMICUS within 10 days. The registration tag was abolished on 1 April 2025.[1]
Dog tax and licence
Per year, first dog: Basel CHF 160, Riehen CHF 150, Bettingen CHF 120. A second and further dog pays double. More than two dogs need a permit (CHF 40 per year).[1]
typical 160 CHF, 120 to 160 CHF a year
First-time dog owners must complete the Basiskurs Mensch & Hund Basel-Stadt (8 practical lessons, no exam) within 12 months of taking over the dog; the dog must be at least 4 months old at the start. Owners of potentially dangerous dogs need a permit and must attend courses.[1]
Insurance
Every dog owner must have liability insurance for the dog, with no gaps (paragraph 2 Hundegesetz).[1]
Leash and muzzle
Short leash required at night (22:00 to 06:00), in restaurants, on public transport, on busy roads and for dogs under 3 months. No specific forest rule in the ordinance.[2]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- media.bs.ch/original_file/ac1f7f9b83f6324a49175eabea2da48525a188c7/merkblatt-hundesteuer-2 (official)
- lexfind.ch/tolv/15384/de (secondary source)