The Italian city of Bolzano plans to introduce a unique tourist tax in 2026 – €1.50 per night per dog. Similar fees for pet owners are already in place in Germany and the Netherlands. Find out how dog taxes work in different European countries, why they are introduced and what exemptions are provided for locals and tourists

Drivers in London, New York and other major cities are already used to being charged for bringing their cars into the city. Now, one Italian municipality could be the first to introduce a fee for bringing dogs into the city. From 2026, tourists coming to Bolzano, Italy with their four-legged friends will have to pay €1.50 per night for each dog. Read about dog fees in Europe in 2025 in this article.

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Dog tax in Bolzano, Italy

Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol and gateway to the Dolomites, is introducing a new tourist tax for dog owners. It is predicted that from 2026, tourists coming to Bolzano, Italy with their four-legged friends will pay 1.50 euros per night for each dog.

The purpose of the tax is to cover the costs of maintaining public spaces: cleaning streets, installing garbage cans and arranging special parks for four-legged visitors.

Annual dog tax for locals in Bolzano, Italy

Local Italians will also pay an annual tax of 100 euros per dog, but owners who register their pet’s DNA are exempt from this fee for two years.

The prerequisite for this step was a dog DNA registration program introduced in 2024 to combat irresponsible owners. Despite fines of up to 1,000 euros, about 60% of people have not registered their dogs.

Why did Italy approve taxes for dog owners?

Provincial councilor Louis Walcher called the tax “fair,” stressing that it was aimed at irresponsible dog owners.

Carla Rocchi of the national organization ENPA, however, called the initiative an “own goal,” warning that the tax could scare away tourists or even encourage them to leave their dogs behind while on vacation.

Dog taxes in the Netherlands

Italy is not the only country that has talked about introducing a tax system for dog owners.

In the Netherlands, for example, dog taxes (hondenbelasting) depend on the municipality and range from about 60 to 150 euros per year. An additional fee is charged for each additional dog. Cats and other animals are exempt from the tax.

Owners must register their dog within 14 days through their local municipality or digitally via DigiD. Any changes to the number of dogs must also be reported to the municipality. The tax is only levied in some northern municipalities, such as Leeuwarden, Smallingerland and Vlieland.

Dog Taxes in Germany

In Germany, there is an annual dog tax (Hundesteuer) and owners are required to register their pet at the local town hall. Once registered, a unique dog tag is issued for the dog, which must be worn on a leash.

The amount of the tax varies greatly depending on the municipality, usually between €90 and €150 for the first dog, and increases for additional dogs or “potentially dangerous” breeds. The tax revenue goes towards the maintenance of dog parks and street cleaning.

Failure to comply with the rules can result in fines, including for not having a tag. There are exceptions: guide dogs, service dogs and hunting dogs may be exempt from the tax. Some municipalities also require liability insurance for certain breeds.

Dog taxes are a way for cities to finance the maintenance of public spaces and keep their streets clean. Bolzano, Italy, was the first city to introduce a tourist tax on dogs, and the Netherlands and Germany have long had similar systems for owners.

While such measures are controversial, they demonstrate how cities can combine tourism with keeping public spaces clean and tidy, while incentivizing responsible dog owners.

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