Dog tax in Germany 2025: record amounts and steep increases!

Dog tax in Germany 2025: record amounts and steep increases!

In Cologne, as in many other cities in Germany, the topic of dog tax is currently the focus of discussion. The occasion? A noticeable increase that is accompanied by a general increase in dog tax in Germany. In 2024, revenue from dog tax reached a record level of 430 million euros, which corresponds to an increase of 2.2 percent compared to the previous year. For comparison: In 2014, revenue was only 309 million euros. This increase over a decade shows that municipalities are increasingly relying on higher tax revenues to ease the burden on their budgets.

This development is particularly evident in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria: around nine percent of the cities examined will have increased dog taxes in 2025. The reasons are not necessarily the growing number of dogs, but primarily increased tax rates and staggered tariffs for second and third dogs. In Cologne you can pay around 156 euros for your first dog, while cities like Mainz or Hagen charge the highest dog tax at up to 186 euros. Other cities have also made significant increases, for example the tax in Bocholt rose from 42 to 84 euros.

Differences and exceptions

In Germany, the dog tax is classified as a municipal tax, which means that each municipality decides its own amount. This always leads to remarkable differences that not only affect the dog owner's wallet, but also the keeping of dogs themselves. While cities like Ahlen do not charge a dog tax, dog owners in Gütersloh will have to pay 120 euros for their first dog from 2025.

There is some relief for special groups: guide dogs and working or herding dogs are exempt from dog tax. Commercial dog ownership is also tax-advantaged. When it comes to the ongoing costs of caring for animals, dog owners should also not forget that the prices for dog and cat food have increased. In 2024, these were 2.3 percent above general inflation, which represents an additional financial burden for many pet owners.

The financing structure

What many people don't know is that the revenue from the dog tax flows into local government budgets and can be used for many different purposes. In most cities, these funds are earmarked primarily for infrastructure improvements, particularly dog ​​parks and other pet-friendly facilities. This can be an incentive for many dog ​​owners to continue purchasing a loyal four-legged companion despite the high tax burden.

With the costs of keeping dogs and the dog tax situation currently rising sharply, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming years. The pet industry needs to adapt, so it will be exciting to see what measures local authorities will take to continue to support owners.