How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Germany? (2025 Data)

Pet Insurance in Germany

Pets enrich our lives, but they also bring responsibility for their well-being and medical costs. Private insurers in Germany offer pet insurance in 2 variants: pet liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht), which is often required by law, and pet health insurance, which helps cover veterinary costs. While liability insurance protects against third-party claims, health insurance ensures pets receive proper treatment without creating unexpected financial burdens.

• Pet liability insurance: Covers personal injury, property damage, or economic loss caused by your pet for third parties; in some states, it is mandatory.
• Pet health insurance: Helps manage vet fees and covers medically necessary veterinary treatment (diagnostics, surgery, prescribed medications, preventive care).

Pet insurance in Germany provides peace of mind by reducing these risks. For dog owners in particular, combining liability and health insurance is often the best way to safeguard both finances and the pet’s health.

Pet Liability Insurance in Germany

Pet liability insurance in Germany is relevant for dogs, horses, and some other larger animals.

In Germany, dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) is not just a practical safeguard but, in several federal states, also a legal requirement. States like Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Thuringia mandate this form of liability insurance for all dog owners, while others only require it for specific dog breeds classified as dangerous. Even where it is not compulsory, many landlords or municipalities still require proof of coverage when granting a rental contract or issuing a dog license.

What Dog Liability Insurance Covers

A dog can unintentionally cause significant harm — from a small accident at a veterinary clinic to a serious case of personal injury after a bite. Dog liability policies cover:

• Property damage, e.g., chewing furniture, damaging cars or bicycles
• Injuries to people, e.g., dog bites or accidents caused by a running dog
• Damage to other animals, e.g., injuries during fights
• Financial losses, e.g., if the dog causes someone to miss work

The sum insured typically ranges into the millions, ensuring sufficient insurance coverage even for the most severe cases.

Optional Add-ons

Depending on the insurer, dog liability insurance can be expanded with useful extras:

• Rental property damage: A must-have for tenants, as landlords often demand proof of this coverage.
• Puppy protection: Newborn dogs are automatically included in the first months in their mother’s policy (typically up to 1 year or until they leave your household)
• Worldwide coverage: Extends your policy to include travel abroad with your dog.
• Unintentional mating: If a male dog mates with a female without the owner’s permission, the owner of the female dog may claim the costs of pregnancy and veterinary care.

Common Limitations

No matter how extensive the policy, there are always restrictions. Being aware of them helps dog owners avoid gaps in protection.

• Own property and family: If your dog damages your furniture or injures someone in your household, this is not covered.
• Intentional behaviour: Claims are rejected if damage is caused deliberately or through repeated gross negligence.
• Professional or high-risk use: Activities such as commercial breeding, guarding, or racing typically require specialized contracts and are excluded from standard policies.
• Restricted breeds: Some insurance providers limit or refuse cover for dangerous breeds such as the pit bull terrier or American Staffordshire terrier.

Costs and Influencing Factors

The cost of pet insurance liability coverage is relatively affordable compared to other types of insurance in Germany. Typical annual premiums range from €50 to €150, influenced by:

• Breed and potential risk classification
• Level of comprehensive coverage (domestic only vs. worldwide coverage)
• Chosen deductible and co-payments

Pet Health Insurance in Germany

While liability insurance protects third parties, pet health insurance secures your pet’s well-being and shields you as an owner from high veterinary costs. In Germany, tariffs differ significantly depending on whether they only cover surgery or provide broader protection.

Scope of Coverage

There are two main types of policies:

• Surgery insurance: These plans focus exclusively on covering surgical procedures and related expenses. They do not automatically include diagnostics, aftercare, or hospital stays unless the contract explicitly mentions them.
• Comprehensive tariffs: These extend beyond surgery-only plans and are designed to cover comfort as well as medical necessity. Depending on the chosen model, they can cover a wide range of veterinary services, including preventive care, dental treatments, and even alternative therapies.

Expert Tip: Review Surgery Tariffs carefully

Based on my professional experience, surgery-only tariffs should be reviewed with great care. It is essential that the policy also includes diagnostics, pre- and post-operative care, prescribed medications, and — if necessary — hospitalisation in a veterinary clinic. Otherwise, owners may face high additional costs even though they thought their dog or cat was insured.

Covered Treatments (of comprehensive tariffs)

Comprehensive pet health plans typically include vet costs for:

• Surgical procedures and emergency surgeries
• Diagnostics such as imaging, laboratory tests, and veterinary consultations
• Hospitalisation and post-operative care in a veterinary clinic
• Prescribed medications and ongoing treatment
• Preventive services, including vaccinations or modern options like vet video consultations
• Dental work and specialised medical procedures in higher-level plans

Exclusions

Like private health insurance for humans, pet health insurance always comes with limitations. The most common exclusions are:

• Pre-existing conditions at the time of signing the policy
• Certain specific dog breeds with a high genetic risk for certain diseases, depending on the insurer
• Cosmetic or non-essential treatments
• Costs related to breeding
• Older pets: Most providers only accept animals up to a certain age, usually between 7 and 9 years at the start of the contract.

Cost Ranges and Premiums

The pet insurance cost in Germany for health cover varies by pet type, breed, and scope of protection:

• Around €20–€40 per month for cats and smaller dogs
• Around €40–€70 per month for larger breeds or older animals

Premiums are influenced by the pet’s age, breed, medical history, chosen tariff, deductible, and the level of reimbursement. Higher premiums usually apply if the pet already has known health issues or if comprehensive coverage is selected.

Cost Factors for German Pet Insurance in Detail

The pet insurance cost in Germany depends on several key aspects:

• Age of the pet: Young animals typically receive lower monthly premiums, while older pets may face higher premiums or may not be accepted at all.
• Breed risks: Certain dog breeds with a history of genetic health issues may be more expensive to insure, and some may be excluded from pet health coverage. Some providers of dog liability insurance do not accept so-called dangerous dog breeds.
• Pre-existing conditions: Illnesses diagnosed before the contract are not covered. Owners must verify which medical care and veterinary costs are eligible expenses.
• Scope of coverage: Surgery-only tariffs are more affordable but limited, while comprehensive coverage, including diagnostics, medication, and broader veterinary care, comes at a higher cost. There are also coverage differences in dog liability insurance.
• Deductibles & reimbursement: Lower deductibles mean more protection but higher costs; higher deductibles reduce the premium but increase the owner’s share of expenses.
• Waiting period: Most policies have a general waiting period for planned treatments, while emergencies are usually covered immediately. No or short waiting periods help you save costs.
• Insurance providers: Reputable insurance companies may charge slightly more, but they ensure clear contracts, reliable reimbursement, and smooth handling of vet bills.

Best Pet Insurance Providers for Expats

Finding reliable pet insurance in Germany can be confusing for newcomers, especially when contracts and claims procedures are only available in German. 2 providers stand out for their international orientation and clear product design: Getsafe and Feather.

Both companies offer dog liability insurance as well as cat and dog health insurance, and both provide a lifelong guarantee in their health plans — meaning that once insured, the animal remains covered for life.

Getsafe

Getsafe is a fully digital insurer and one of the best pet insurance companies in Germany. Policies can be managed entirely via app, with transparent terms available in English. The company offers dog liability insurance that meets all legal requirements in the German federal states, as well as flexible pet health insurance.

Their health tariffs include not only standard accident and illness coverage but also dental treatments and alternative methods such as physiotherapy or acupuncture. Customers can choose between surgery-only and comprehensive coverage, with the option to include preventive care as well. For many expats, this combination of flexibility, modern digital processes, and clear communication makes Getsafe a particularly attractive choice.

Feather

Feather also specializes in making insurance in Germany accessible for internationals. The company also provides dog liability insurance and pet health insurance for cats and dogs. Policies are easy to set up online, claims can be submitted digitally, and customer support is available in English.

Feather’s health insurance plans are designed to cover essential veterinary care and include a lifelong guarantee once a pet is insured. While the scope of coverage is more straightforward than Getsafe’s, expats value the clarity of the conditions and the dedicated focus on international clients.

Conclusion

Pet insurance is not just an optional add-on but an important part of responsible ownership in Germany. Dog liability insurance protects owners against potentially ruinous claims and is even mandatory in several states. Pet health insurance, on the other hand, secures access to high-quality veterinary care without creating unexpected financial burdens.

Based on my experience as an expert in the German insurance market, the most common mistakes occur when owners underestimate exclusions, such as pre-existing conditions, or overlook waiting periods.

Carefully reviewing the details of each insurance policy is essential, especially for expats who may not be familiar with the local system. For anyone considering the pet insurance cost in Germany, investing time in comparing tariffs and coverage will pay off — both financially and for the health of your pet.

Providers like Getsafe and Feather have proven that digital processes and English-language support make a real difference for international pet parents. Getsafe, in particular, offers excellent value for money for its pet insurance policies.

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