Moving to Germany with a Pet: EU Passport, Third-Country Rules and Registration
Germany is one of Europe’s most popular expat destinations, home to a large international community across Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne and beyond. For pet owners, the good news is that Germany’s urban culture is genuinely dog-friendly. The less good news: the registration requirements and breed-specific laws vary by state, which adds a layer of complexity.
Bringing Your Pet to Germany: What You Need
From EU countries: Your EU pet passport and current rabies vaccination are sufficient. No titre test, no import permit. The EU pet passport is valid across all member states under EU Regulation 576/2013.
From the UK (post-Brexit): UK pets are treated as third-country animals. You need:
- ISO microchip (implanted before vaccinations)
- Current rabies vaccination
- FAVN titre test at an EU-approved lab (result 0.5 IU/ml or above), at least 30 days after vaccination
- 3-month wait from a positive titre result before entering Germany/EU
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC) completed by a UK Official Veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
- TRACES NT pre-notification at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) or another German BIP
From the USA, Canada and other non-EU countries: The same third-country protocol applies: microchip, rabies vaccination, titre test and 3-month wait, government-endorsed health certificate in the EU third-country format, TRACES NT notification at a German BIP. Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) airports both have BIP facilities.
Registering Your Pet in Germany
Microchip registration: Germany does not have a single national microchip database; chips are registered with regional databases. The TASSO and Findefix databases are the most widely used. Your German vet will register your pet when you first present. Keep records of the registration confirmation.
Dog tax (Hundesteuer): Every dog owner in Germany must register their dog with the local municipality (Gemeinde or Stadtverwaltung) and pay the Hundesteuer annually. Rates vary considerably: from around EUR 90 per year in smaller towns to EUR 200 or more per year in cities. Cats do not pay a Hundesteuer in Germany.
Dog registration (Tierhalter-Registrierung): When you register with the local residents’ office (Einwohnermeldeamt), you will also register as a dog keeper. Failure to register a dog is a fine-able offence.
Breed Restrictions in Germany
Germany’s breed-specific legislation (Rasseliste) is administered at the state (Land) level, which means the rules differ between Bavaria (Bayern), North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) and other states.
Generally restricted breeds (rules vary; this is a general guide only – confirm with the relevant state authority):
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier (in some states)
- Rottweiler (in some states, subject to character assessment)
- Tosa Inu
Owners of listed breeds typically need to obtain a special permit, pass a character assessment (Wesenstest) for the dog, and may need additional liability insurance.
Finding a Vet in Germany
Germany has an excellent density of veterinary practices. Major cities have 24-hour emergency clinics. German veterinary practices often have English-speaking staff in expat-dense areas (Berlin Mitte, Munich international suburbs, Frankfurt’s expat quarters).
Sources: European Commission EU pet travel rules; UK APHA guidance on EU travel post-Brexit; TRACES NT platform; German state breed restriction legislation (Rasseliste); TASSO microchip registry (tasso.net).