Dog tax in Switzerland: the big cantonal comparison 2026
A dog does not cost the same everywhere in Switzerland — least of all in tax. Between the lowest and highest figures we recorded there is more than a fivefold gap. We compiled the dog tax for all 26 cantons. The main takeaway: to know the exact amount, you have to check your own municipality.
In Switzerland the dog tax is usually set by your municipality of residence, not the canton. Where a cantonal figure exists we list it; otherwise we show a reference value from the cantonal capital and mark it as such. All figures are reference values, as of 2026, without guarantee — your municipality is always the binding source.
Dog tax by canton (2026 reference figures)
| Canton | 2026 figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Solothurn | Canton CHF 35 + municipal | cantonal |
| Geneva | canton CHF 50 (+fees) | cantonal |
| Glarus | canton CHF 55 + municipal | cantonal |
| Ticino | Bellinzona CHF 70 | reference (capital/city) |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | CHF 80 | reference (capital/city) |
| Schwyz | up to CHF 100 | reference (capital/city) |
| Fribourg | Canton CHF 100 (+5) | cantonal |
| Schaffhausen | CHF 100–200 | reference (capital/city) |
| Thurgau | Frauenfeld CHF 100 | reference (capital/city) |
| Lucerne | City CHF 120 | reference (capital/city) |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | Canton CHF 120 | cantonal |
| Neuchâtel | up to CHF 120 | reference (capital/city) |
| St. Gallen | City CHF 130 | reference (capital/city) |
| Bern | City CHF 150 | reference (capital/city) |
| Aargau | ≤ CHF 150 | reference (capital/city) |
| Valais | Sierre CHF 150 | reference (capital/city) |
| Zurich | City CHF 160 | reference (capital/city) |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 160 | reference (capital/city) |
| Vaud | Lausanne CHF 190 | reference (capital/city) |
Cantons with no cantonal rate (purely municipal)
In these cantons only the municipality sets the tax — there is no cantonal figure. You will find the exact amount on the canton page and with your municipality: Basel-Landschaft, Grisons, Jura, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Uri, Zug.
What drives the amount
Beyond where you live, several factors matter: many municipalities scale the tax by the number of dogs (the second often costs more), sometimes by size or weight, and listed breeds can bring surcharges or conditions. Some municipalities grant reductions for working, guide or rescue dogs. The tax is also not the same as the mandatory registration (AMICUS) or liability insurance — those come on top separately.
How to find your exact amount
Pick your canton in our overview — you will find the cantonal rules there and a direct link to your municipality's official source. Our calculator estimates what your dog costs in total.
Conclusion
Dog tax is a classic of Swiss federalism: 26 cantons, hundreds of municipalities, barely two identical rates. As a rough guide it usually sits between CHF 35 and CHF 190 per year. Only your municipality knows the binding amount — but with this overview you know where you stand.