Dog insurance

Find out more about pet insurance in Germany in our video.

Dog insurance in Germany: frequently asked questions

Is Hundehaftpflicht compulsory in my federal state?

The full breakdown is on the page about animal owner liability insurance. In short: for every dog the duty applies in Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. In Schleswig-Holstein the law frames it as a recommendation, and the duty arises for dogs classified as dangerous. In the remaining states cover is compulsory for Listenhunde and for dogs the Ordnungsamt has classified as dangerous. Breed lists and thresholds (often from 20 kg in weight or 40 cm at the shoulder) differ from state to state — check the rules of your own. The other owner obligations are collected in the article on the rules for keeping dogs and cats in Germany.

How much does dog insurance cost?

Liability cover from €4 a month. Surgery-only cover from €15. Full health cover from €24. Minimum premiums as of August 2026: young dog, basic terms, with a deductible. Large and listed breeds cost more, and the premium is higher for older dogs.

What is a Listenhund and how does it affect the price?

Listenhunde are breeds listed as potentially dangerous in a given federal state; the lists differ from state to state. Liability cover is compulsory for them almost everywhere and the premium is higher. Some insurers require a Wesenstest — a temperament test. Passing it lifts part of the restrictions in many states and lowers the premium.

What if the dog is older than 8?

HanseMerkur sets the entry age for a new contract at 8 years. Cleos explicitly accepts dogs aged 8 and older into health cover, Uelzener sets no upper age limit for acceptance. An older dog is not a lost cause, but the choice of insurers narrows and the premium is higher. Note that illnesses already diagnosed when the contract is signed will not be covered.

Does the insurance cover dental treatment for a dog?

It depends on the tariff and is often taken out as a separate module. HanseMerkur offers an optional Zahnbaustein — it covers extractions, root canal treatment, fillings and prosthetics. With Cleos, treatment and extraction are included in the tariff but prophylaxis is not. With Uelzener, scale removal runs through the Gesundheit PLUS module. Professional cleaning is almost never part of a basic tariff — check this point in the specific contract.

Is neutering or spaying covered?

If the operation is medically indicated (for example a tumour or pyometra in a bitch), it is covered like any other surgery. Elective neutering without a medical reason does not count as treatment, but several insurers pay a fixed contribution from the preventive-care allowance — usually a one-off payment of between €100 and €300. Whether it exists and how much depends on the tariff.

Does the cover apply on holiday abroad?

Yes. With the major insurers, temporary stays abroad are covered worldwide for up to 12 months. That covers both a holiday and a longer trip. Before a long absence, check the limit in your own contract.

What is the Selbstbeteiligung and which one should I choose?

The Selbstbeteiligung is the share of the bill the owner pays: either a fixed amount (commonly €250 or €500 per year or per claim) or a percentage of the invoice (for example 10–20%). The higher the deductible, the lower the premium: the indicative “from” prices are almost always calculated with a €500 deductible. For a healthy young dog a high deductible cuts the premium noticeably; with a chronic condition a low one pays off.

Who pays the vet — me or the insurer?

Either is possible. The major insurers settle directly with the vet: the practice invoices the insurer and you do not pay up front. Or the owner pays the bill and submits it for reimbursement. In both cases the tariff’s GOT multiplier, the annual limit and the deductible apply. For an overview of policy types and prices see the section pet insurance in Germany; if there is also a cat in the household, see cat insurance.

Contract terms: what each line actually means

You will see these terms in any German insurer’s offer. Here is what each of them means.