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How owning a dog makes you more ‘German’

Germany is a nation of dog lovers. Indeed, a stroll through the streets of any major German city will reveal not only plenty of dogs walking their owners, but entire stores devoted to their needs.

Published: 28 October 2020 07:00 CET
How owning a dog makes you more 'German'
Photo: Getty Images

There are around ten million dogs in Germany, more than in any other EU country. Perhaps this is because owning a dog suits the local mindset, involving organisation, group activities and a healthy amount of red tape. Think owning a dog is all about fun and companionship? There’s a lot more to it than that – especially in Germany! 

Have a dog yourself? We reached out to our international readers to learn about your experiences of having a dog in Germany – and we’ve now concluded that dog ownership can be a powerful factor in making you more ‘German’. In partnership with insurance company Coya, here’s your guide to how …

Being patient with bureaucracy 

If you move to Germany with a dog, the hurdles that presents may be among your first experiences with German bureaucracy. Prior to arriving, dogs must be microchipped and have an EU pet passport, in addition to a rabies shot (and there are restrictions on how soon prior to arriving this can be given). 

Is your dog your ‘child’? Find out about the benefits of Coya’s dog liability insurance

Most of the time, dogs arriving in Germany from another country will not have to go into quarantine – however, there may be some rare exceptions. It’s always best to check up-to-date German government information websites. 

As American expat Amanda Dawn told us, you need to “make sure your dog is registered at your local Bürgerbüro (municipal office), and pay the tax for being a dog owner and get their licences”. These taxes can vary widely depending on where you live – for example, in Berlin, you can expect to pay €120 per dog, in Munich, around €100.

You can expect to pay more for each subsequent dog you register. Your dog’s details will be taken, including their microchip identification, and you’ll have to pay a fee. Getting your paperwork is a rite of passage in becoming ‘German’ – and there will be no shortage of it if you have a dog!

Photo: Laura Borrell

More patience please – you’re on probation!

Bringing a dog into your home isn’t as easy as heading to a pet store and picking a puppy in the window – the sale of dogs at pet shops is prohibited in Germany. To get a dog, you must adopt one from a shelter, a tierverein (animal society) or a licensed breeder.

This can be a long process, involving questionnaires, home visits and probationary periods of ownership. All of these groups are extremely keen on finding the right home for their dogs, and will tell you over and over again that this is not a step to be taken lightly. Again the German love of bureaucracy shines through – bear with it and give yourself a pat on the back once it’s all done! 

Knowing new laws (on keeping your dog fit)

Germans take veterinary health seriously – you’ll be amazed at how many vets you’ll come across, especially in more rural regions with a higher percentage of working dogs. This focus on health extends to paying close attention to what dogs are eating and how often they’re walked. Don’t be surprised if a German tells you that your canine friend is looking a little tubby! 

The German federal government is highly likely to legislate mandatory exercise for dogs twice a day sometime in 2021. The proposed ‘dog walking law’ has attracted ridicule – but Germans love to legislate what would otherwise be common sense. 

Even if your dog is in great shape, you can never rule out an unexpected veterinary bill. Coya’s pet health insurance covers 80 percent of the costs for unexpected, necessary surgical interventions on your dog – and the company’s website and app are available in English, as well as German.

Dogs are family: find out more about protecting your dog with Coya’s pet health insurance

Socialising your dog – and yourself!

When we asked dog-owning readers of The Local about their experiences, the biggest response related to how having dogs made them more accepted among their German neighbours. As Laura Borrell, a Briton living in Berlin, told us: “One of my neighbours, who also owns a dog, said she might not have spoken to us when we first moved here, had it not been for our dogs! I speak okay German but my husband doesn’t and I think walking the dogs has opened up conversations for him!”

Madeleine Oliver, who lives in the Black Forest, has had similar experiences. She says: “There are quite a few dogs in our village, nearly all rescue dogs, two from abroad. We often walk our dogs together and when I am out and about on my own with the dog I chat with other dog owners I meet.” 

Photo: Madeleine Oliver

Keeping in line with the German love of turning everything into a team sport, there are any number of dog walking clubs and teams for those who enjoy dog training –- but as Madeleine tells us: ‘“Third party dog insurance is mandatory, even if you don’t visit a dog school”. 

Protecting your dog and yourself with insurance 

Germans love insurance. They’ll insure everything, from their homes and possessions right down to the smallest members of their family. Depending on your Bundesland (state) or Kreis (county), insuring your dog against any damage they might do, or any bites they might dish out may be mandatory – and this is for good reason. People in Germany are far more likely to hold you responsible for the actions of your dog, and no amount of talking will get you out of it. 

Coya’s dog liability insurance is there to take some of the worry out of owning a dog. For a low monthly fee you’re covered against any physical or material damage your pooch causes to others – it’s like private liability insurance but for your dog. As some four-legged friends have the potential to cause considerable chaos, Coya covers you for up to 30 million euros.

Additionally, you’ll be able to contact English-speaking representatives who can assist in a fast and friendly fashion wherever they may be, day or night. You can also access a stack of great advice covering everything from dog training to diseases. 

Learning to negotiate with landlords

Finding a rental property with a pet can be a hassle at the best of times, but even more so in a country where most people live in apartments. Landlords can’t refuse to rent you a property because you have a dog. But there are a million other perfectly legal ways that they can do so – or so it can seem.

Funnily enough, you don’t have to disclose that you own a dog before you sign a lease – but you must let the owner know if you have a dog prior to moving in. This can lead to negotiations and counter-offers, where the German qualities of organisation and preparedness are crucial. Be prepared or prepare to fail! 

Your dog may be your ‘best friend’ or a member of the family – as well as helping you to become more ‘German’. Click here to find out about the benefits of dog liability insurance with Coya. 

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PROPERTY

Who pays broker’s fees on property in Germany – and how much do they cost?

One of the major hidden costs of buying and selling property in Germany is the estate agent's commission, or broker's fee. We look at some of the unusual rules around it - and how much you can expect to pay.

Published: 17 September 2024 16:25 CEST
Who pays broker's fees on property in Germany - and how much do they cost?

There are many areas of life in which things in Germany function just that little bit differently – and buying a house is no exception.

Though the buoyant property market in the Bundesrepublik makes it an attractive place to buy, anyone looking to get their foot on the housing ladder should consider the hidden fees they might incur.

Beyond interest rates, taxes and fees for notaries and translators, one major outlay is the estate agent’s commission, which can sometimes stretch to thousands of euros.

Here’s what to know about these hefty fees and how you might be able to lower them. 

Who pays commission on property transactions in Germany?

If you come from another European country or somewhere like the United States, you may be used to a system in which the seller pays the broker’s fee. This intuitively makes sense because the estate agent is there to market the property, liaise with buyers and ultimately get the best price for the seller – so it makes sense that the seller should pay for these services.

Until recently, however, it was the buyer who was responsible for paying the entirety of the estate agent’s commission in Germany. That meant that these fees – which could be as high as seven percent of the purchase cost – were added to the mountain of extra costs buyers had to contend with, from notary fees to land transfer tax.

READ ALSO: The hidden costs of buying a house in Germany

Luckily for buyers (but less so for sellers), this was changed under a law that came into force at the end of 2020. Since then, costs are generally split 50/50 between buyers and sellers.

However, there are some details that are important to note here. If the seller commissions the estate agent to help them sell their home, they are technically liable for the costs but must pay a minimum of 50 percent. 

If the buyer commissions the estate agent to find them a home, the same rules apply the other way around: the buyer is liable for the costs but can obtain a maximum of 50 percent from the seller.

In each case, the side that commissioned the broker must prove they have paid their share before the other side is liable to pay theirs. 

How much do estate agents’ fees cost in Germany?

Commission on property sales varies from state to state but is generally set at between 5 and 7 percent of the purchase price.

According to online portal ImmobilienScout24, these were the standard rates that applied in each of the federal states in 2024, with the number in brackets representing a 50 percent share of the costs:

Baden-Württemberg: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Bavaria: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Berlin: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Brandenburg: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Bremen: 5.95 percent (2.97 percent)

Hamburg: 6.25 percent (3.12 percent)

Hesse: 5.95 percent (2.97 percent)

Lower Saxony: 4.76 – 5,95 percent or 7.14 percent, depending on the region. (2.38 – 3.57 percent)

Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania: 5.95 percent (2.97 percent)

North Rhine-Westphalia: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Rhineland-Palatinate: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Saarland: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Saxony: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Saxony-Anhalt: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Schleswig-Holstein: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

Thuringia: 7.14 percent (3.57 percent)

If it’s hard to gauge how much this means in real terms, we can take the example of two properties: a €200,000 apartment and a €500,000 family home.

In the state of Hesse, a buyer splitting the broker’s fee equally with the seller would pay €5,940 to buy the €200,000 apartment and €14,850 to buy the €500,000 house.

In pricier Berlin, meanwhile, the same buyer would pay €7,140 on the €200,000 apartment and €17,850 on the €500,000 house.

READ ALSO: Is autumn 2024 the right time to buy a property in Germany?

Here’s where it gets more complicated, however: under German law, you are technically free to negotiate the commission with your estate agent.

That means that, especially in areas with stiff competition, you may be able to secure a better deal. 

Do I always have to pay commission in Germany? 

Not always. In fact, as a seller, you’re perfectly free to sell your property privately without enlisting the help of a real estate agent.

The benefit of this, of course, is that you can potentially save thousands of euros in fees, both for yourself and any prospective buyer. 

On the flip side, though, you will need to take the entire job of the estate agent on yourself, from marketing the property to liaising with potential buyers and finally closing the deal.

Real estate agent Germany

A real estate agent talks to prospective tenants at an apartment viewing. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Tobias Hase

There can also be some upfront costs involved in commissioning things like floor plans and professional photography, as well as the time you’ll need to invest in learning all the procedures and preparing relevant documents for notary – to name just a few examples.

Ultimately, though, it’s up to you to decide whether the expense of working with a professional broker is worth it in the end. 

As a buyer, there are also some situations where you’ll see the words ‘provisionsfrei’ – or commission-free – written in a property listing.

This is fairly common in new-build properties, where the developer may sell the homes directly to interested buyers. More rarely, an existing property may be listed without commission, making it a more attractive proposition.

In both cases, it’s possible that commission has been built into the purchase price, so you may not necessarily be getting a better deal.

Another case where you’re likely to be able to avoid commission as a buyer are so-called Kapitalanlagen – or buy-to-let properties. 

READ ALSO: Should you think about purchasing a buy-to-let property in Germany?

These tenanted properties are designed to be bought as investments: buyers can enjoy additional rental income over time and, ideally, will also make money when they come to sell the property several years later.

For this reason, costs are generally kept slightly lower for the buyer by eschewing the standard broker’s commission. 

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