Do You Need Dog Liability Insurance in Germany? (2026)
The verdict
Hundehaftpflicht pays for injury or damage your dog causes to other people or their property. The cheapest verified policy here is Haftpflichtkasse at EUR 36.89 a year for EUR 60,000,000 of cover with no Selbstbeteiligung, and the cheapest in English is Lassie at EUR 39 a year.
Where it is compulsory
Whether you must hold it is decided by your Bundesland: there is no federal rule. It is mandatory for all dogs in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia, mandatory only for listed or dangerous dogs in eight more Bundesländer, and voluntary only in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
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Which dog liability policy is worth buying in Germany?
Six policies with a published annual premium, ordered by our editorial rating. None of them has a waiting period. What separates them is four things: the Versicherungssumme, the Selbstbeteiligung, whether listed breeds are accepted, and whether the paperwork exists in English.
The premiums below are quoted for a standard dog. For how this line sits next to every other policy sold in Germany, see the overview of insurance providers.
Sorted by annual premium, not our recommendation. The default view is our ranking, weights published below.
Sorted by cover limit, not our recommendation. The default view is our ranking, weights published below.
Sorted by excess, not our recommendation. The default view is our ranking, weights published below.
Sorted by notice period, not our recommendation. The default view is our ranking, weights published below.
Haftpflichtkasse
Haftpflichtkasse Einfach Komplett dog liability
Cheapest. The cheapest verified cover in this catalogue: EUR 36.89 a year for EUR 60,000,000 of cover with no Selbstbeteiligung, and every breed is insurable.
See Haftpflichtkasse- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 60,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- None
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- No
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- 3 months
- Listed breeds
- All breeds insurable, surcharge for Kampfhunde
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- Haftpflichtkasse
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- Cheapest verified premium here, EUR 36.89 a year
- Cover limit
- EUR 60,000,000, the highest limit on this page
- Excess
- No excess on the quoted 30 and 60 million tiers
- Breeds
- Every breed insurable, Listenhunde included
- Cancellation
- Three months notice before renewal
- Service
- No paper correspondence, everything is electronic
- Language
- German only
Best for Any dog owner, including owners of listed breeds
AGILA Haustierversicherung
AGILA dog liability
Best for listed breeds. A specialist and OeKO-TEST winner: EUR 48.96 a year on the base tariff, Listenhunde taken with a surcharge instead of an exclusion, and cover tiers up to 50 million.
See AGILA- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 30,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- EUR 150
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- No
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- 3 months
- Listed breeds
- Insurable, with a breed surcharge
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- AGILA Haustierversicherung
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- EUR 48.96 a year on the base tariff
- Cover limit
- EUR 30,000,000 of cover, with tiers up to 50 million
- Excess
- EUR 150 excess on the base tariff
- Breeds
- Listenhunde insurable, a surcharge rather than an exclusion
- Cancellation
- Three months notice
- Service
- OeKO-TEST winner and a pet specialist since 1994
- Language
- German only
Best for Owners of a listed breed who want to avoid an exclusion
Uelzener Versicherungs-Gesellschaft
Uelzener dog liability
No excess anywhere. A mutual specialist since 1878 with no excess even on the entry tariff: EUR 98.56 a year for EUR 20,000,000 of cover.
See Uelzener- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 20,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- None
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- No
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- 3 months
- Listed breeds
- Acceptance or surcharge, case by case
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- Uelzener Versicherungs-Gesellschaft
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- EUR 98.56 a year, above the Haftpflichtkasse price
- Cover limit
- EUR 20,000,000 on Basis, up to 50 million on PremiumPlus
- Excess
- No excess, not even on the Basis tariff
- Breeds
- Listenhunde only after acceptance or with a surcharge
- Cancellation
- Three months notice
- Service
- A mutual specialist insurer since 1878
- Language
- German only
Best for Owners who want a specialist insurer and no excess
Getsafe
Getsafe dog liability
Best in English. EUR 47.88 a year for EUR 30,000,000 of cover, English end to end, with an instant digital certificate for registering the dog.
See Getsafe- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 30,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- EUR 150
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- Yes
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- Cancellable daily
- Listed breeds
- Accepted case by case
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- Getsafe
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- EUR 47.88 a year
- Cover limit
- EUR 30,000,000 of cover
- Excess
- EUR 150 excess
- Breeds
- Listed breeds only case by case
- Cancellation
- Cancellable daily
- Service
- Underwriter transition under way
- Language
- English end to end, with an instant certificate for the office
Best for Newcomers who have to register a dog at short notice
Wakam
Lassie dog liability
Cheapest in English. EUR 39 a year for EUR 30,000,000 of cover, cancellable monthly and combinable with Lassie pet health.
See Lassie- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 30,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- EUR 150
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- Yes
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- Cancellable monthly
- Listed breeds
- Accepted case by case
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- Wakam
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- EUR 39 a year, the cheapest English-language policy here
- Cover limit
- EUR 30,000,000 of cover
- Excess
- EUR 150 excess
- Breeds
- Listed breeds case by case
- Cancellation
- Cancellable monthly
- Service
- The risk carrier is a partner company, and a newer entrant
- Language
- English documents and an English-capable app
Best for Owners who want liability and pet health cover in one app
HanseMerkur
Petolo dog liability
50 million, no excess. EUR 66 a year for EUR 50,000,000 of cover with no excess, bought online.
See Petolo- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 50,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- None
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- No
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- 3 months
- Listed breeds
- Surcharged or accepted case by case
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- HanseMerkur
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- EUR 66 a year, mid-table on this page
- Cover limit
- EUR 50,000,000 of cover
- Excess
- No excess
- Breeds
- Listed breeds surcharged or assessed individually
- Cancellation
- Three months notice
- Service
- Transparent online pricing, bought online
- Language
- German only
Best for Owners who want a high cover limit with no excess
Policies with no published premium
Two large insurers carry no annual premium in the catalogue, because the price only comes out of a calculator or an agency. We do not estimate it: the cards carry the market range the catalogue records, and nothing else.
DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
DEVK animal owner liability
Best test grades. Regular top grades at test.de in animal liability, with EUR 50,000,000 of cover, but no published premium.
See DEVK- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 50,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- EUR 150
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- No
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- 3 months
- Listed breeds
- With a surcharge
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- No published premium, market range EUR 50 to 80 a year
- Cover limit
- EUR 50,000,000 of cover
- Excess
- EUR 150 excess
- Breeds
- Listenhunde carry a surcharge
- Cancellation
- Three months notice
- Service
- Regular top grades at test.de, served through agencies
- Language
- German only
Best for Owners who want a local agency and strong test results
Allianz Versicherungs-AG
Allianz animal owner liability
For bundle discounts. EUR 30,000,000 of cover with a bundle discount against private liability, but the premium only comes out of the calculator.
See Allianz- Cover limit
Cover limit
The most the insurer pays for a single claim (Deckungssumme). Everything above it is yours, which is why liability policies carry limits in the millions.
- EUR 30,000,000
- Excess
Excess
The part of every claim you pay yourself (Selbstbeteiligung). A EUR 150 excess means the first EUR 150 of any claim is yours; premiums fall as the excess rises.
- EUR 150
- Waiting period
Waiting period
The gap between signing and the day cover starts. Anything that appears during it is never paid, not even later, so shorter is better.
- None
- English documents
- No
More details
- Notice period
Notice period
How far ahead of the renewal date you must cancel in writing (Kündigungsfrist). Miss the window and the contract runs another full term.
- 3 months
- Listed breeds
- Acceptance varies
- Underwriter
Underwriter
The insurance company that actually carries the risk and pays the claims. It is not always the brand whose name is on the policy.
- Allianz Versicherungs-AG
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Key information
- Premium
- No published premium, market range EUR 50 to 90 a year
- Cover limit
- EUR 30,000,000 of cover
- Excess
- EUR 150 excess
- Breeds
- Acceptance of Listenhunde varies
- Cancellation
- Three months notice
- Service
- Bundle discount with private liability, claims help through an agent
- Language
- German only
Best for Owners adding the policy to an existing Allianz liability contract
What does Hundehaftpflicht cover?
It pays for injury and property damage your dog causes to other people, up to the agreed Versicherungssumme. The cover limits in this catalogue run from EUR 20 million on the Uelzener Basis tariff to EUR 60 million at Haftpflichtkasse. That figure is what some registration offices ask about, and it costs almost nothing: in the Haftpflichtkasse reference quote the gap between its lowest and highest tier is EUR 1.19 a year.
Hundehaftpflicht is its own contract, not a module. Your private liability policy covers damage you cause yourself, not damage caused by your dog. And pet health insurance pays vet bills, meaning costs for your dog rather than costs for the person your dog injured. None of the three substitutes for another, in any direction.
Typically covered
- Injury and property damage to other people, up to the cover limit
- From day one: none of the eight policies here has a waiting period
- At Getsafe, an instant digital certificate for registering the dog
Excluded or capped
- Damage to items belonging to your own household, capped on every policy here
- Damage to your own rented property, covered at AGILA only if included
- Pre-known dangerous incidents, explicitly excluded at AGILA
- A EUR 150 excess at AGILA, Getsafe, Lassie, DEVK and Allianz
In which Bundesländer is Hundehaftpflicht compulsory?
That depends on the Bundesland, and on nothing else. There is no federal rule. Cover is mandatory for ALL dogs in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia. In eight further Bundesländer it applies only to listed or dangerous dogs. It is voluntary only in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Compulsory for every dog
- Berlin
- Bremen
- Hamburg
- Lower Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Thuringia
Only for listed or dangerous dogs
Eight further Bundesländer. Which breeds are on the list there, and when a dog counts as dangerous, is not settled federally, and we do not publish a state-by-state list we cannot source.
Voluntary
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
The only Bundesland with no requirement. The policy still makes sense there, because you are liable for damage your dog does whether or not cover is compulsory.
The rule for your address is confirmed by your local Ordnungsamt, because dog regulations are state law and registration is run by the municipality. Ask at the same time which Versicherungssumme is required: several state rules name a figure, and Getsafe issues that confirmation digitally on the spot.
For listed breeds the question that matters is who will take you at all. Per the catalogue, Haftpflichtkasse insures every breed including Listenhunde, with a surcharge for Kampfhunde, and AGILA takes Listenhunde with a breed surcharge rather than an exclusion. Uelzener, Getsafe, Lassie, Petolo and Allianz decide case by case, and DEVK applies a surcharge.
How much does Hundehaftpflicht cost in Germany?
Published annual premiums in this catalogue, for a standard dog: Haftpflichtkasse EUR 36.89 at EUR 60,000,000 of cover, Lassie EUR 39 at EUR 30,000,000, Getsafe EUR 47.88 at EUR 30,000,000, AGILA EUR 48.96 at EUR 30,000,000, Petolo EUR 66 at EUR 50,000,000, and Uelzener from EUR 98.56 for 20 million up to EUR 119.83 for 50 million.
The spread from about EUR 37 to about EUR 120 a year is explained by the Selbstbeteiligung, the cover limit and the sales channel, not by brand quality. In the Haftpflichtkasse reference quote, EUR 32.13 buys the policy with a EUR 250 excess and EUR 35.70 buys it without: EUR 3.57 a year against EUR 250 at claim time.
Allianz and DEVK publish no premium for animal owner liability: the number comes only from a calculator or an agency. For how these premiums compare with every other line, see the insurance price research, and for the lines themselves see insurance in Germany.
Sources: provider tariff pages, accessed 2026-08-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dog liability insurance compulsory in Germany?
Each Bundesland decides for itself, and there is no federal rule. It is mandatory for ALL dogs in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia, mandatory only for listed or dangerous dogs in eight more, and voluntary only in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The office that can confirm the rule for your address is your local Ordnungsamt.
How much does Hundehaftpflicht cost a year?
The published annual premiums in this catalogue run from EUR 36.89 at Haftpflichtkasse to EUR 98.56 on the Uelzener Basis tariff. In between sit Lassie at EUR 39, Getsafe at EUR 47.88, AGILA at EUR 48.96 and Petolo at EUR 66.
Can I insure a Listenhund?
The catalogue records Haftpflichtkasse as insuring every breed including Listenhunde, with a surcharge for Kampfhunde. AGILA also accepts Listenhunde, with a breed surcharge rather than an exclusion, while Uelzener, Getsafe, Lassie, Petolo and Allianz decide on listed breeds case by case.
Is there a waiting period, and do I get a certificate for the registration office?
None of the eight policies in this catalogue carries a waiting period. Getsafe issues the digital certificate immediately, which is what some registration offices want when you register the dog.
Does private liability insurance replace Hundehaftpflicht?
No. Private liability cover pays for damage you cause yourself; damage caused by a dog needs Hundehaftpflicht as its own contract. Pet health insurance is no substitute either, because it pays vet bills rather than damage to other people.
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