PETS IN THE RUHR METROPOLIS

Germans, on the whole, love and respect their own and other’s pets and are especially friendly towards dogs. Keeping a pet on a leash is a must apart from inside official, special pens in some open spaces. Surprisingly for some, dogs are also permitted on public transport and inside restaurants unless otherwise stated.

Within the European Union, pets may move freely if they have been micro chipped, had the necessary vaccine against rabies and their owners possess a valid EU pet passport.

Dog ownership is highly regulated and taxed through a compulsory licence fee, which has to be paid for all dogs regardless of their race or size. Cats remain a matter of citizen’s privacy. The municipal tax office will send a dog tag, which, when attached to the dog collar demonstrates to the authorities during spot checks that the dog is registered. Fees vary according to the number of dogs in a household and rise notably if a dangerous breed is registered.

Dogs need to be registered within two weeks of arrival. Registration is possible in writing, on the phone and in person at the municipal tax office, Steueramt. Forms are available to be completed and downloaded or complete the online registration and submit directly with an NRW service account. Personal details and information about the dog, origins, dates, ownership, address, bank account and so on will be required. The address below in Essen is exemplary. Search Steueramt with your location in your browser for other options.

By Vincent Green, Jun 11 2021