Dog tax in Switzerland 2026: Zürich, Basel, Bern
· 6 min read
There is no single nationwide rate for dog tax in Switzerland. Depending on where you live, the responsible authorities, calculation methods and possible reductions vary. You should therefore always check with your municipality or the responsible cantonal authority for the official amount. Examples from several major Swiss cities illustrate how differently these systems are structured.
Dog tax in Switzerland: Examples from major cities
Zürich
In the city of Zürich, the annual dog tax is CHF 160: CHF 130 for the city and CHF 30 as a cantonal contribution. Anyone registering a new dog pays a one-off registration fee of CHF 20. Source: Stadt Zürich
The city's Hundekontrolle (dog control office) also explains that a dog over three months old must be registered with the municipality of residence within ten days. Registration with AMICUS is also required. Source: Stadt Zürich
Basel
In the city of Basel, the annual dog tax is CHF 160. On the same official page, Basel-Stadt lists CHF 150 for Riehen and CHF 120 for Bettingen. The tax year there runs from 1 April to 31 March. The page was updated on 4 June 2026. Source: Kanton Basel-Stadt
For people receiving supplementary benefits or social assistance, Basel-Stadt specifies a 70 per cent reduction in dog tax for the first dog in the household. According to the canton, receiving an AHV or IV pension alone does not qualify someone for this reduction. Source: Kanton Basel-Stadt
Bern
The city of Bern currently charges CHF 150 per dog per year. According to the city, the tax applies to dogs from the age of six months. Registered dog owners receive their invoice in August. Source: Stadt Bern
Bern also lists exemptions for assistance and companion dogs for people with disabilities, as well as therapy and rescue dogs, provided the required evidence is available. Source: Stadt Bern
Luzern
In its official information leaflet, the city of Luzern specifies a dog tax of CHF 120 per calendar year for dogs of the taxable age described in the leaflet. The leaflet is dated May 2025 and states that invoices are issued at the end of May, with payment due by the end of June. Source: Stadt Luzern
The leaflet also lists various reduced rates and exemptions, for example for certain service, assistance or working dogs. As the eligibility requirements are important, you should check the current leaflet and the city's Einwohnerdienste (residents' services) for your particular circumstances.
Genf
Genf uses a different calculation model. The canton charges CHF 50 in cantonal tax for the first dog. An additional CHF 70 is charged for a second dog, and CHF 100 for a third and each subsequent dog. Municipal surcharges are also added, along with CHF 4 for the cantonal animal disease fund and CHF 1 for insurance covering damage caused by stray dogs. The official calculation page was updated on 21 April 2026. Source: Kanton Genf
It is therefore not possible to give a single final amount that applies throughout the canton of Genf. The municipal portion depends on your municipality of residence.
Why do the amounts differ?
These examples already demonstrate different models. Zürich combines CHF 130 for the city with a CHF 30 cantonal contribution to calculate the annual tax. Basel-Stadt publishes different amounts for the municipalities within the canton. Genf calculates the total from cantonal tax, the municipal portion and additional charges.
It would therefore be misleading to make a general statement such as "a dog costs this much in annual tax in Switzerland". Where you live is what matters.
If you want to know exactly how much you will pay, check:
- your municipality of residence
- the currently published dog tax or dog licence fee
- any cantonal contributions
- rules for multiple dogs
- possible exemptions or reductions
- the tax period
AMICUS: Registration is not the same as dog tax
Dog tax and the registration of your dog are partly connected administratively, but they are not the same thing.
The Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (BLV, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office) explains that dogs must be identified with a microchip and registered in the AMICUS database. In Switzerland, the microchip is implanted by a vet. The animal's registration is also carried out by the veterinary practice. Source: Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen BLV
The BLV distinguishes between data relating to the animal and the personal details of its owner. Personal details are managed by the municipalities. Changes to these details must therefore be reported to the municipality. The transfer or acquisition of a dog, as well as the animal's death, must be reported directly in AMICUS. Source: Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen BLV
According to the BLV, owners of imported dogs must have the animal's identification checked by a vet and reported in AMICUS within ten days of importation. Source: Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen BLV
What do you need to do when moving home?
Because dog owners' personal details are managed by the municipalities, changes to these details must be reported to the municipality according to the BLV. Source: Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen BLV
If you move to another municipality or canton, you should also check how local registration or changes to registration work there and which dog tax will apply at your new address. The specific deadlines may depend on the applicable legislation and municipality.
In the canton of Zürich, for example, a dog must be reported to the municipality of residence within ten days of being acquired. The city of Zürich specifies this deadline for dogs over three months old. Sources: Kanton Zürich and Stadt Zürich
When moving to another canton, you should therefore not assume that your previous tax rate or registration procedure will continue to apply.
Exemptions and reductions are local
Here too, the examples show significant differences. Under certain conditions, Basel-Stadt provides a percentage reduction for the first dog. Bern lists specific categories of assistance, companion, therapy and rescue dogs that are exempt from dog tax when the appropriate evidence is provided.
If you believe that you or your dog may qualify for an exemption or reduction, you should therefore check the rules directly in your place of residence. A rule from Bern or Basel does not automatically apply in another municipality.
Dog ownership costs go beyond tax
Dog tax is only one administrative aspect of owning a dog. Exercise, stimulation and safe opportunities for off-lead activity are just as important in everyday life. Particularly if your dog cannot run freely everywhere because of its hunting instinct, unreliable recall or local lead requirements, it is worth planning for these situations in advance.
You can find the cantonal lead requirements under Lead requirements in Switzerland: Rules by canton. For woodland areas, Can my dog run off-lead in the forest? provides additional guidance.
If you would like to use a fenced area exclusively for you and your dog, independently of public off-lead facilities, you can search for suitable dog fields, dog training grounds and dog halls at dogoasis.ch/suche.
As at: September 2026