Dogs in Canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland: rules, tax and travel
Basel-Stadt taxes the first dog CHF 160 (Basel city), requires liability insurance and registration with the Hundekontrolle, and has no compulsory dog course for ordinary dogs.
Three municipalities set their own rates: Basel, Riehen, Bettingen.
The national rules for Switzerland apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
No breed-specific rule found.
Registration and microchip
Register each dog with the Veterinaramt's Hundekontrolle at 3 months of age or within 10 days of acquiring it or moving in; also report changes to AMICUS within 10 days. The registration tag was abolished on 1 April 2025.[1]
Dog tax and licence
Per year, first dog: Basel CHF 160, Riehen CHF 150, Bettingen CHF 120. A second and further dog pays double. More than two dogs need a permit (CHF 40 per year).[1]
typical 160 CHF, 120 to 160 CHF a year
No compulsory course for ordinary dogs. A recognised dog training course gives a one-time tax reduction (paragraph 6 Hundegesetz). Owners of potentially dangerous dogs must attend courses.[2]
Insurance
Every dog owner must have liability insurance for the dog, with no gaps (paragraph 2 Hundegesetz).[1]
Leash and muzzle
Short leash required at night (22:00 to 06:00), in restaurants, on public transport, on busy roads and for dogs under 3 months. No specific forest rule in the ordinance.[3]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- media.bs.ch/original_file/ac1f7f9b83f6324a49175eabea2da48525a188c7/merkblatt-hundesteuer-2 (official)
- lexfind.ch/tolv/14467/de (secondary source)
- lexfind.ch/tolv/15384/de (secondary source)