Dogs in Frankfurt am Main: Dog tax, off-leash areas and rules
Dog tax in Frankfurt am Main: €102 for the first dog. Plus registration, off-leash areas, the rules in Hesse and dog care at DOGSY – each item with official source and date checked.
756,021 inhabitants (as of 2024-12-31) · Source
Dog tax in Frankfurt am Main
- First dog
- €102 per year
- Second dog
- €102 per yearEvery dog costs the same.
- Listed breed
- €900 per yearPermanently dangerous dogs (§ 5 Abs. 2): 900 euros per year. The term is defined in § 5 Abs. 3 and 4; it also covers breeds and groups whose dangerousness is presumed under the Hessian ordinance on the keeping and leading of dogs. If the dog has passed the companion dog test together with the owner (or an equivalent or higher test under the VDH guidelines), the dog tax is 225 euros per year (§ 6 Abs. 5); proof by test certificate.
- Reductions and exemptions
- Tax-free on application (§ 6): assistance dogs (Abs. 1); owners whose financial situation is so poor that payment cannot reasonably be expected, as a rule up to 1.5 times the social assistance standard rate (Abs. 2); service dogs of the police and customs as well as rescue dogs of recognised aid organisations (Abs. 3); two years from takeover for dogs from facilities that have a stray or custody animal contract with the city (Abs. 4). The exemption under Abs. 1 to 3 applies to one dog per household only (Abs. 6). For permanently dangerous dogs there is no relief under Abs. 1 to 4; only the 225-euro rule applies (§ 6 Abs. 5). Proof by documents.
- Registration
- Within two weeks of taking the dog into the household.
Legal basis: Satzung über die Erhebung einer Hundesteuer im Gebiet der Stadt Frankfurt am Main (version from 01.04.2026) (Resolution of 17.12.1998, in force since 01.01.1999 (§ 13); last amended by the amending bylaw of 05.03.2026. Version from 01.04.2026 according to the city's page and the file name; the entry into force of the amendment is not stated in the bylaw text.)
Rates according to: Stadt Frankfurt am Main, Kassen- und Steueramt: Hundesteuer
Not yet checked: Amounts, rate structure, rate for permanently dangerous dogs, exemptions and deadline taken from the city's bylaw text (PDF, retrieved 29.10.2026). The entry into force of the amendment on 01.04.2026 is not stated in the bylaw text; the information page and Official Gazette no. 13/2026 could not be retrieved on 29.10.2026 (HTTP 403).
checked on 29 October 2026
Off-leash areas in Frankfurt am Main
25 – dog exercise areas in the city area according to the city's feature article
According to the city, there are 25 dog exercise areas in Frankfurt.
checked on 29 October 2026
Leash in Frankfurt am Main
Separate city rules (e.g. green space bylaws, hazard prevention or dog ordinances) not checked; the rules of the federal state apply.
Rules in Hesse
The state rules on leashes, listed breeds, proof of competence, liability insurance and identification – each topic with source and date checked.
Dog care in Frankfurt am Main
At DOGSY, dog owners find support from people nearby. The services in Frankfurt am Main:
More cities in Germany
The same information for other cities.
No guarantee
As of: 29 October 2026. The official text alone is authoritative. Source and date checked per row.
Not legal advice. We summarise the rules in plain language. This is a guide and does not replace information from the competent authority.
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