✅ New Pet in Germany:
The First 30 Days
Germany welcomes your new pet with love, and forms. Some registrations have real deadlines and real fines, others are free five-minute wins that people skip and regret. This checklist puts everything in order, with links to the deep-dive guide for each step.
The 30-Day Checklist
Day 1-7
Register the microchip with TASSO
Free, online, 5 minutes. The single highest-value item on this list.
Dogs: start the Hundesteuer registration
City deadlines are typically 2-4 weeks. Cats pay no tax.
Dogs: arrange liability insurance
Mandatory in Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt; smart everywhere.
Book the first vet visit
Within 1-2 weeks, even for a healthy pet. Establish the record before you need it.
Day 8-14
Verify the vaccination status
Check the Impfpass against the StIKo Vet schedule and book any missing jabs.
Decide on health insurance
Premiums are lowest while the animal is young and healthy; waiting periods apply.
Settle the food question
Keep the previous food for 1-2 weeks, then transition gradually if changing.
Day 15-30
Save your emergency vet info
Find the nearest 24/7 clinic NOW and put the number in your phone.
Outdoor cat? Check your city's neutering rules
Hundreds of municipalities have a Kastrationspflicht for outdoor cats.
Planning EU travel? Start the pet passport
Rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old before crossing a border.
Dogs: book a training class
Puppy hour or basic obedience; in Lower Saxony a competence test is required.
Dog vs Cat: What Differs
| Obligation | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Tax (Hundesteuer) | Yes, 50-200 EUR/year | No tax |
| Liability insurance | Mandatory in 5+ states | Covered by private liability |
| Chip registration (TASSO) | Strongly recommended | Strongly recommended |
| Neutering | Owner's choice | Required for outdoor cats in many cities |
| Public transport | City-specific ticket/muzzle rules | Free in a carrier |
The 3 Deadlines Expats Miss
- The Hundesteuer window (2-4 weeks). Park inspectors do ask for the tax tag; late registration means back taxes plus a possible fine.
- The insurance waiting period. Health policies typically have a 1-3 month waiting period. Sign up while your pet is healthy, not after the first symptom, when it becomes a pre-existing condition.
- The 21-day rabies rule. For any cross-border trip, the rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old. Booking Christmas travel in December with an unvaccinated pet does not work.
FAQ: New Pets in Germany
What do I have to register when I get a pet in Germany?+
For a dog: dog tax (Hundesteuer) at your municipality, the microchip with TASSO, and liability insurance where mandatory. For a cat: TASSO registration always, plus microchip and neutering where your city has a Kastrationspflicht for outdoor cats. Cats pay no tax.
What happens if I forget to register my dog for Hundesteuer?+
Late registration can trigger back taxes and fines that vary by city, and inspectors do check dogs for the tax tag in parks. Registration is usually a simple online or paper form, so it is not worth the risk. Deadlines are typically 2 to 4 weeks after getting the dog.
Is TASSO registration really necessary if my pet is microchipped?+
Yes. The microchip is just a number; it contains no contact details. Only registering that number in a database like TASSO (free) or FINDEFIX links it to you. An unregistered chip does nothing when your pet is found.
How soon should a new pet see a vet in Germany?+
Within the first one to two weeks, even for a healthy animal from a shelter or breeder. The visit creates a patient record, verifies chip and vaccinations, and means you are already a known client when something urgent happens later.
Item #4 on the list: find your vet
The first vet visit matters most, and it goes a lot smoother when you can ask every question in English.
Browse English-Speaking Vets →