Dog tax

General information

In principle, a tax is charged for keeping dogs. The rate and the provisions or time limits for the dog tax are regulated differently in each federal state.

Advice

However, there are also grounds for exemption and reduction (e.g., working dogs) as well as exceptions from the obligation to pay the tax (assistance dogs, service and rescue dogs). These are also to be enquired about in the respective federal province at the competent authority. Detailed information can be obtained from your local authority.

Information regarding changes of residence

In case of a relocation, your dog must be deregistered at the previous place of residence and registered in the new municipality of residence.

If you do not deregister your dog with the tax authorities, you are still liable to pay the tax at your previous place of residence.

Even if you only relocate within one municipality, you should not forget to notify the tax authorities of your new address.

Deadlines

Dog owners in Austria are legally obliged to pay a dog tax for their pet. From the age of three months, dogs must be registered with the competent authority for this purpose.

Competent authority

Procedure

As a rule, the dog owner receives a dog tag from the competent authority after paying the dog tax. It is either handed over to the dog owner personally or sent to him/her by post.
The dog tag must be attached to the dog's collar when the dog is outside the house.

Advice

In Vienna, the dog tag was discontinued in 2012. Information on the dog owner and on whether the dog tax has been paid is now read via the electronic chip, with which all dogs in Austria must be marked as of 1st of January 2010.

Further information

Further information on the dog tax and the dog tag can be found on the website of your municipalityGerman text.

Deregistration

The deregistration of a dog (death, relocation, handover) must be notified to the competent authority. The obligation to pay the tax persists as long as the dog has not been deregistered.

Link to form

Not certified translation
Last update: 27 February 2023

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