In Hamburg you currently pay 90 euros a year for each dog, and 600 euros for a dog that is classified as dangerous. On January 1, 2027, the Senate wants to increase the rate for normal dogs to 120 euros, according to the tax authorities, the first increase since 1995.
| City | 1. Dog | 2. Dog | List dog | 2027 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg | 90 € | 90 € | 600 € | €120 per dog from January 1st, 2027 (planned according to the tax authorities); Rate for dangerous dogs: N/V¹ | hamburg.de, Source 2027 |
¹ Hamburg: We do not know the sentence for dangerous dogs from 2027. According to the tax authority, three years of tax exemption for non-dangerous dogs from animal shelters are planned from 2027. All amounts per year, accessed on November 5th, 2026 from the cities themselves; We have adopted the values from our nationwide city table as of October 20, 2026 unchanged.
What applies to dangerous dogs in Hamburg
In Hamburg, the Hamburg Law on Keeping and Driving Dogs (Dog Law) of January 26, 2006 applies. Four breeds and their crosses are always suspected to be dangerous: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Terrier. According to the city, you definitely need a permit to keep them.
Eleven other breeds are presumed to be dangerous until you prove otherwise for your dog: Bullmastiff, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Kangal, Caucasian Ovcharka, Mastiff, Mastin Español, Mastino Neapolitan, Rottweiler and Tosa Inu. This is what it says in the version of the law published on hamburg.de (last change taken into account in December 2012). There are also dogs that attract attention because of their behavior, for example because they have bitten.
The dog tax for dangerous dogs is 600 euros per year. You cannot apply for a reduction, waiver or exemption for them. We do not know which rate will apply to dangerous dogs from 2027.
Shelter dogs and exemptions
So far there is a discount in Hamburg if you have adopted a dog from the Hamburg animal shelter on Süderstraße. From 2027 onwards, this will become more: According to the tax authorities, the Senate bill provides for non-dangerous dogs from animal shelters to be exempt from tax for the first three years.
You can apply for a waiver or partial waiver if you receive citizen's benefit or assistance with living expenses or if your household income does not exceed the standard rates by more than 25 percent. None of these discounts apply to dangerous dogs.
This is how you calculate your dog tax
In Hamburg, every dog currently costs the same, there is no scale. Two dogs will cost 180 euros a year in 2026. If the increase comes as planned, it will be twice 120 euros from 2027, i.e. 240 euros.
With our dog tax calculator you can compare both years: You choose the city, the number of dogs, whether there is a listed dog, and the year 2026 or 2027.
Frequently asked questions
How high will the dog tax be in Hamburg in 2027? The Senate wants to increase the dog tax from 90 to 120 euros per dog on January 1, 2027, according to the tax authorities. For dangerous dogs, the current rate is 600 euros; we don't know a rate for 2027.
Which dogs are considered dangerous in Hamburg? It is always assumed that American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers are dangerous. With eleven other breeds, such as Rottweiler or Kangal, you can refute the assumption.
Is an animal shelter dog tax-free in Hamburg? There is currently a discount for dogs from the Süderstraße animal shelter. According to the tax authorities, an exemption is planned for three years from 2027 for non-dangerous dogs.
Read more
- Dog tax 2027: What your dog costs in your city
- Dog tax calculator for 2026 and 2027
- Dog tax in Schleswig-Holstein 2027
- Dog tax in Lower Saxony 2027
- Which dog is right for me? The Race Test
The statutes of your community are always binding. This article is not tax advice.
Sources, accessed on 05.11.2026: Hamburg: hamburg.de; Hamburg 2027: hamburg.de; hamburg.de: Erlaubnis zum Halten eines gefährlichen Hundes: hamburg.de; Hamburgisches Hundegesetz (PDF auf hamburg.de): hamburg.de.
