Increase in Dog Taxes Across 37 Municipalities in 2025 - BdSt Advocates for Its Abolition
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, faces mounting backlash over dog tax increases in numerous municipalities for the year 2025. The Association of Taxpayers North Rhine-Westphalen (BdSt NRW) has expressed strong opposition to the petty tax, asserting it serves little benefit to municipal budgets while burdening residents.
A total of 37 municipalities have announced hikes in their dog tax rates for the first dog, with 9 additional cities increasing rates for so-called dangerous dogs. Three cities have legislated the introduction of the tax for dangerous dogs for the first time. Hagen leads the negative ranks with a tax of €180 for the first dog, while Ahlen stands as the most favorable with no tax for the first dog.
The financial predicament faced by many North Rhine-Westphalia municipalities has been characterized by an insufficient budget, prompting numerous cities to adopt tax increases as a quick solution. The dog tax becomes a popular target in this effort. The current comparison by the Association of Taxpayers NRW indicates that 321 municipalities uphold special regulations for dangerous dogs, with some displaying steep tax rates. Monheim takes the top spot with a tax of €1,440, while Legden remains at the bottom with a tax of €120. Twenty-four municipalities have increased these rates for 2025, with Borchen, Bottrop, Ense, and Oberhausen introducing the tax rate for dangerous dogs for the first time.
In 116 municipalities, a discount on the dog tax is offered for a passed temperament test. An exemption from dog tax payment for a year applies in 190 cities and municipalities when dogs are adopted from animal shelters, with 13 cities, including Oberhausen, Hilden, and Coesfeld, introducing this exemption in 2025. Socially disadvantaged citizens may also find relief in reductions in the dog tax, usually only for a single dog, in 314 cities.
BdSt NRW laments the disproportionate distribution of the dog tax burden and calls for its abolition. "The dog tax unnecessarily burdens a broad segment of the population without significantly benefiting municipal budgets," says Philipp Sprengel, BdSt NRW's representative for budget and financial policy. In addition to advocating for the elimination of the dog tax, the BdSt demands structural reforms to ease the financial burden on municipalities.
Germany's dog tax range typically falls between €90 and €150 annually, depending on the city and dog breed (1). Prior to registering a dog, owners automatically agree to pay the dog tax and receive a dog tag from the city (1). Microchipping and licensing requirements vary by state, with certain areas requiring a dog license for off-leash walking (1).
To obtain accurate and up-to-date dog tax rates for each North Rhine-Westphalia municipality, it is advisable to contact local authorities or check official municipal websites. Local pet stores or veterinary clinics may also provide information on current dog tax rates.
The financial burden of the dog tax in North Rhine-Westphalia is a subject of contention, with the Association of Taxpayers NRW arguing that it disproportionately impacts residents without significantly benefiting municipal budgets. In light of this, Philipp Sprengel, BdSt NRW's representative for budget and financial policy, has called for the abolition of the dog tax and structural reforms to alleviate financial pressure on municipalities.
The ongoing political discussions surrounding the dog tax in North Rhine-Westphalia are also intertwined with the broader landscape of finance, business, and politics, as well as general-news topics, given the implications for taxpayers and the role of local governments in fiscal management.
