Moving to Germany with a dog: the rules, the breed list and the dog tax

Germany follows the same pet travel rules as the rest of the EU, with two additions that surprise people moving there from the UK: a national list of breeds that cannot be brought in, and a local dog tax once you are settled.

The documents

• A microchip, fitted before the rabies vaccination
• A rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel
• An Animal Health Certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian within ten days of arriving in the EU

No tapeworm treatment is needed to enter Germany.

The breeds that cannot come in

German federal law bars bringing in Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers, and crosses of them, with narrow exceptions. Several federal states add their own lists and conditions on top. If your dog is one of these breeds or looks like one, check with the authorities of the state you are moving to before you book anything; we will not be able to deliver a dog that would be refused.

Once you arrive

Dogs in Germany are registered with the local council and pay a yearly dog tax, the Hundesteuer, which varies from town to town. Many states also expect third-party liability insurance for dogs, and some require it by law. None of this affects the journey, but it is worth knowing before the first letter arrives.

The drive

From London, Cologne and Düsseldorf are around 540 km and a single long day; Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are around a thousand kilometres, which we drive in one long day or split with a proper night’s rest, depending on the animal. Our quote form prices your exact addresses.