Local authorities in Germany are making more money than ever from dogs – or their owners to be precise. The very idea of charging dog owners an annual tax for keeping their pets may sound archaic to British ears but it carries on fairly unchallenged in Germany.
In 2023, Germany’s municipal authorities received a total of €421 million (£351 million) in tax from the country’s dog owners. The figure has risen by 41 per cent over the last decade. Each municipal authority sets its own fees. Having a dog in Berlin will set you back €120 (£100) a year with every additional dog costing €180 (£150). Stuttgart charges extra for breeds considered dangerous: owning a Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier costs €612 (£510) a year.
Despite there being no good reason for the dog tax, there seems to be no significant rebellion against it
If this seems a lot of money, you’re right.
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