Re-registering the Dog Tax
Moving with a dog
Re-registering the dog tax: what to watch out for after your move
Deregister and register
If you move to another municipality with your dog, you deregister the dog tax (Hundesteuer) at your old place of residence and register it at the new one. The dog tax is a municipal tax: each municipality sets out in its own bylaws how high it is, which office administers it and within what deadline you must register your dog. In Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen a dedicated Dog Tax Act applies instead of bylaws. Anyone who fails to register risks a fine and has to pay the tax retroactively.
If you move to Berlin, you have one month to register. The responsible office is the tax office (Finanzamt) for your place of residence – but the easiest route is registering in the central dog register (Hunderegister), because since 2024 this also counts as your tax registration. The tax is €120 a year for the first dog and €180 for each additional dog; Berlin has not issued tax tags since 2024. With a private move with a dog, it is best to plan these errands before moving day.
Plan your move with a dog calmly
We carry, you look after the dog
At Beste Umzug Unternehmen you receive a binding fixed price after the survey. We pack, carry and drive – you have time for your dog and for registering at your new address. Whether it is a private move within Berlin or a long-distance move to another city: call us on 01625978461 for free, no-obligation advice.
Quotes available individually based on workload, scheduling and the desired scope of services.
Four steps for dog owners
Deregister, register, move
With these four steps the dog tax is sorted for your move. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and take care of the move itself – parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone), packing, transport and furniture assembly – so you have time for errands such as registering the dog tax or re-registering at the registration office (Bürgeramt). You know the price in advance, and on moving day one family member can devote themselves entirely to the dog.
Old municipality
New municipality
Dog register
Moving day
Dog tax in Berlin: six facts
Anyone moving to Berlin or within Berlin should know these six rules. They come from the information on the dog tax published by the Berlin Senate Department for Finance.
€120 for the first dog
€180 for each additional dog
One-month deadline
No more tax tags
Moving within Berlin
Applying for exemptions
Little furniture, long distance?
Everything
for your move
Besides re-registering the dog tax, there are other important things to consider when moving: re-registering your place of residence, changes to insurance contracts and choosing the right moving company. Anyone planning to move with an animal should also check the destination municipality's leash rules and lists of dog breeds. With a private move we are happy to take on organisational tasks so you can concentrate on the important appointments with the authorities. That way your move stays structured and stress-free.
Planning safe and relaxed
Furniture, boxes, transport routes
Costs, timing and special cases
Questions about the dog tax when moving
Where do I need to re-register the dog tax?
The dog tax is handled by the municipality of your new place of residence – usually the tax department, the municipal treasury or the finance department, and in some places the registration office. Which office it is can be found in the dog tax bylaws or on the municipality's website. In Berlin the tax office for your place of residence is responsible; there, registering via the dog register replaces a separate tax registration.
With a long-distance move to another federal state, it is not only the forms that change but often the tax rate and the deadline as well. So check the new municipality's bylaws before you move.
Which documents are needed?
To register the dog tax you usually need the municipality's registration form, details about the dog such as breed, age and microchip number, and the date you moved in. Some municipalities also ask for the deregistration confirmation from your old municipality or proof of dog liability insurance.
In Berlin a microchip and liability insurance are compulsory anyway and are requested when you register in the dog register. Note these details on your moving checklist so you have everything to hand after moving in.
Moving costs at a glance: what you really pay
The moving costs depend largely on the size of your home. For a one-room flat we start from €354, for a two-room flat from €609 and for three rooms from €905. If you live in a four-room flat, budget from €1,299. For houses or villas we prepare an individual quote, as many factors play a role here. For long-distance moves we charge from €4.20 per kilometre. The best approach is to arrange a free survey to receive an accurate quote.
Assessing the moving price correctly
To estimate the moving price correctly, we look at the volume, the distance (from €4.20/km), the floor and lift, and any parking restriction zone that may be needed. Additional services such as furniture assembly and shared load round off our offer.
Our offer at a glance
Here you see how versatile our service is.
- Furniture transport: Furniture transport – for single pieces of furniture.
- Clearance: Clearance – we dispose of things properly.
- Part load: Part load – the clever way to save.
- Home move: Home move – your move in good hands.
- Move with assembly: Move with assembly – complete service included.
- Business move: Business move – for a smooth process.
From Berlin to other cities
We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves within Berlin as well as from Berlin to other cities and back. In the locations overview you will find places with their own pages. For longer routes, read more under long-distance moves.
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