Dogs in Berlin, Germany: rules, tax and travel

Berlin requires every dog to be microchipped, registered in the central Hunderegister and covered by liability insurance. Dogs must be leashed in public unless the owner has a Sachkunde certificate (Hundeführerschein) or the dog is an older Bestandshund.

Berlin is a city state: the Hundegesetz Berlin and the Berlin dog tax apply citywide.

The national rules for Germany apply here too. National rules

Breed rules

Where	Rule	Breeds and notes
Berlin	Restricted	American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, crosses Hundegesetz Berlin 2016 with Gefährliche-Hunde-Verordnung: these breeds are deemed dangerous; keeping needs a permit, muzzle and leash in public. [1]

Registration and microchip

Registration

Every dog kept permanently in Berlin must be registered in the central Hunderegister (hunderegister.berlin.de) at the owner's cost. Registering also counts as the dog tax registration. Changes and the end of keeping must be reported.[2]

Microchip

Every dog needs a tamper-proof ISO microchip. Outside the home the dog must wear a collar or harness with the keeper's name and address.[2]

Dog tax and licence

Dog tax

Dog tax in Berlin is 120 EUR a year for the first dog and 180 EUR for each further dog, set by Berlin law and handled by the residence tax office. Register within one month of getting the dog; puppies within 4 months of birth.[3]

typical 120 EUR a year

Licence or owner test

A Sachkundebescheinigung (Hundeführerschein) is not compulsory for ordinary dogs, but it exempts dogs acquired after 22 July 2016 from the general leash rule. It is compulsory for dangerous (listed) dogs.[4]

Insurance

Liability insurance

Dog liability insurance is compulsory.[2]

Leash and muzzle

Leash and muzzle

General leash rule since 1 January 2019. Leash of at most 2 m in parks, forests, sports and camping grounds, allotments and when a female is in heat; at most 1 m in shared building areas, shops, public transport, pedestrian zones and public events. Muzzle only for dangerous dogs.[2]

Other rules

Dogs must not be left unsupervised, even tied up outside a shop, and are not allowed on playgrounds, school yards or sports areas.[2]

Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.