Dogs in Brandenburg, Germany: rules, tax and travel
Brandenburg requires dogs of 40 cm or 20 kg and above to be registered and microchipped. Sachkunde and liability insurance are compulsory only for dangerous dogs. All dogs must wear an owner tag and be leashed in listed places.
The state Hundehalterverordnung sets the rules; dog tax and some local leash zones are set by municipalities.
The national rules for Germany apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
Hundehalterverordnung in force 1 July 2024 abolished both breed lists; dangerous dogs are now defined by behaviour. [1]
Registration and microchip
Owners of large dogs (at least 40 cm at the withers or 20 kg) must promptly register the dog with the local authority, with breed, size, age, colour and chip number.[2]
Large dogs must carry a permanent ISO microchip at the owner's cost. Dogs outside the property must wear a collar with the keeper's name and address.[2]
Dog tax and licence
Potsdam charges 108 EUR a year for the first dog according to a 2026 calculator that cites city Satzungen.[3]
typical 108 EUR a year
A Sachkunde certificate is compulsory only for dangerous dogs, not for ordinary or large dogs.[2]
Insurance
Liability insurance is compulsory only for owners of dangerous dogs.[2]
Leash and muzzle
Dogs must be on a tear-proof leash of at most 2 m at sports and camping grounds, in enclosed or marked parks, shopping centres, pedestrian zones, administrative buildings, public transport, crowded events and shared areas of apartment buildings. Every dog needs a muzzle in administrative buildings and on public transport. Marked off-leash zones are exempt.[2]
Other rules
Dogs are banned from children's playgrounds, marked lawns and bathing areas.[2]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- test.de/Welche-Hunderassen-wo-als-gefaehrlich-gelten-5509118-0/ (secondary source)
- masgf.brandenburg.de/sixcms/media.php/9/hundehalterverordnung.pdf (official)
- deutschland-rechner.de/hundesteuer-rechner (secondary source)