Dog tax
table of content
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
- The municipal officeGerman text
- In statutory citiesGerman text: the magistrateGerman text
- In Vienna: the MA 6 (→ Stadt Wien)German text - Department of Accounting and Taxes
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
- Deregistration of a dogGerman text
- Registration of a dogGerman text
Responsible for the content: oesterreich.gv.at Editorial Staff