Dog License Germany: Bremen Rules & Costs 2026

When preparing for a dog license Germany, note that the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen introduced a mandatory proof of competence (Hundeführerschein) on July 1, 2026, for anyone acquiring or adopting a dog. This two-stage certificate requires passing a theoretical exam before bringing your new companion home and a practical test within the first year of ownership. Grandfathering rules and transitional provisions apply to existing dog owners.

Status: October 2026. This does not replace formal legal advice — official statutory texts and information from your local regulatory authority are legally binding.

Mandatory Dog License in Bremen: Does It Apply to All Dogs?

Yes. By adopting the updated Bremen Dog Keeping Act (BremHundeG), the state of Bremen followed nationwide best practices. Starting July 1, 2026, the certificate of competence is mandatory in Bremen for every owner acquiring a dog from that date onward.

Unlike some other federal states where special rules apply only to large dogs (such as North Rhine-Westphalia's well-known 20/40 rule) or potentially dangerous breeds, body size and weight do not matter in Bremen. Whether you have a Miniature Dachshund, a mixed breed, or a Great Dane, proving your competence is mandatory across every breed. For a nationwide comparison, check our comprehensive guide to the dog license across all German federal states.

This state-level rule applies equally across both the City of Bremen and Bremerhaven. Local municipal ordinances only regulate supplementary details, such as the exact dog tax rates or specific leash-only zones in public green spaces and parks.

Who Needs the Proof of Competence in Bremen — and What Are the Exemptions?

This requirement applies to any dog owner whose primary or sole residence is in Bremen, or who stays in the state for more than two months. Anyone bringing a dog into their household on or after July 1, 2026, must provide proof of competence. However, the BremHundeG establishes clear exemptions:

• Grandfathering Clause: If you kept your dog before July 1, 2026, you don't need to retroactively pass the test for that specific pet, provided the dog has not been classified as dangerous by the authorities.
• Documented Experience: You're generally exempt if you can verify that you continuously owned or responsibly cared for a dog for at least two years within the five years prior to getting your new dog (e.g., via dog tax payment receipts).
• Professional Qualifications: Veterinarians, hunting license holders with certified hunting dogs, service dog handlers, and certified dog trainers are exempt from taking the test.
• Assistance Dogs: Exemptions also apply to handlers of formally certified guide dogs and assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

Important: Commercial breeders and rehoming shelters in Bremen are legally required to verify the prospective owner's theoretical certificate before handing over the dog.

Testing Procedure in Bremen: Theory and Practice

The Bremen certificate of competence consists of two consecutive stages:

1. The Theoretical Knowledge Test (Before Acquisition)

Before bringing a puppy or adult dog home, you must successfully pass the theoretical examination. This test typically features 35 multiple-choice questions (single-choice) covering key areas of canine knowledge:

• Social behavior, body language, and communication signals
• Learning theory, training methods, and motivation
• Canine health, grooming, nutrition, and reproduction
• Risk prevention, fear responses, and aggressive behaviors
• Animal welfare legislation and statutory requirements for dog ownership in Bremen

Passing the theory test usually requires answering at least 75 percent of all questions correctly, alongside minimum scores across each individual topic. Many certified testing centers offer computer-based tests, and some officially authorized institutions provide online testing options.

2. The Practical Test (During the First Year of Ownership)

You'll complete the practical assessment with your own dog within the first twelve months of bringing them home. This assessment isn't about championship-level dog sports or robotic obedience on a training field; it tests your reliability in everyday situations. In both quiet settings and bustling public environments (such as pedestrian zones, parks, or encounters with joggers, cyclists, and other dogs), an examiner evaluates whether you can guide and control your dog safely, calmly, and humanely on a leash.

Who Conducts the Tests in Bremen?

Only certified assessors may administer these examinations. The authority responsible for certifying examiners is the Food Safety, Animal Welfare and Veterinary Service of the State of Bremen (LMTVet). They maintain an official directory of approved examiners, veterinarians, and affiliated dog training schools. Equivalent competence certificates already obtained elsewhere (such as the Lower Saxony certificate or tests taken through authorized veterinary associations) may be officially recognized upon application.

Costs of the Bremen Proof of Competence

Testing fees vary depending on the fee schedules of individual testing centers and veterinary clinics. Official testing fees generally fall within these ranges:

• Theory Exam: approx. €40 to €70
• Practical Exam: approx. €40 to €85
• Total Cost for Both Parts: approx. €80 to €150

Voluntary prep courses at private dog schools or study apps aren't included in these base exam fees. Alongside testing, remember that Bremen legally requires microchip identification, registration in a recognized pet registry (such as TASSO or FINDEFIX), and a mandatory dog liability insurance policy meeting statutory minimum coverage amounts.

Penalties: What Happens Without Proof of Competence?

Keeping a dog acquired after the cutoff date without passing the exam on time or failing to present your certificate upon an official inspection constitutes an administrative offense. The Bremen Dog Keeping Act grants local police and regulatory authorities extensive enforcement powers: serious violations can incur fines of up to €50,000. In persistent cases or repeat non-compliance, authorities can prohibit you from keeping dogs and, in extreme situations, seize the animal.

Special Regulations for Listed Breeds in Bremen

Much stricter requirements apply to specific breeds under Bremen's breed-specific legislation. The Free Hanseatic City maintains a restricted breed list (including Pit Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and their crosses).

Keeping these breeds is generally prohibited across the state of Bremen. Exceptions are granted by the regulatory office only under exceptionally narrow criteria — such as adopting through an authorized Bremen shelter, passing a mandatory temperament test (Wesenstest), and clearing a rigorous background check on the owner's personal reliability. For specific requirements and criteria, check out our guide on listed dog breeds in Bremen.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Certificate in Bremen

1. Prepare and Book Your Theory Test: Study dog body language, local regulations, and health basics through self-study or specialized prep courses. Schedule an appointment with an LMTVet-certified tester or authorized veterinarian before your dog moves in.
2. Show Your Theory Certificate: Keep your certificate handy. When purchasing from a breeder or finalizing an adoption contract, you must present this document before taking the dog home.
3. Register, Chip, and Insure Your Dog: Have your dog microchipped, purchase third-party dog liability insurance, register the microchip for free with TASSO or FINDEFIX, and register your pet for local dog tax within two weeks with the Bremen Tax Office or the Bremerhaven Municipal Administration.
4. Practice Everyday Situations: Use your initial months together to habituate your dog to common environments, sensory triggers, and loose-leash walking in urban spaces.
5. Take the Practical Exam: Complete your practical assessment with your examiner within the first 12 months. Once you pass, you'll receive your official certificate of competence, ready to show local authorities whenever requested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the proof of competence mandatory for all dogs in Bremen?

Yes. For dogs acquired on or after July 1, 2026, the mandate covers owners of every dog breed, regardless of size or weight. Grandfathering and exemption provisions apply only if you owned your dog before that date or can verify at least two continuous years of dog ownership within the past five years.

Is a Bremen proof of competence recognized in other German states?

In many cases, yes. Bremen's theoretical and practical requirements align closely with strict nationwide benchmarks, comparable to Lower Saxony's standards. However, because dog laws are regulated at the state level in Germany, the specific regulations of your destination state determine whether your certificate is accepted when moving.

Can I take the exam online in Bremen?

The theoretical portion can often be taken via accredited digital test platforms through authorized providers, provided their system holds regulatory approval. However, the practical exam must always be completed in person with your dog under the supervision of a licensed examiner.

Does passing the test exempt my dog from leash laws?

No. Unlike regulations in certain other cities, passing the test in Bremen doesn't provide an automatic off-leash permit. Strict leash laws remain mandatory for all dogs in designated public areas — including pedestrian shopping zones, urban parks, open-air markets, shared stairwells in apartment buildings, and throughout open countryside during spring breeding and nesting seasons.

Preparing for your certificate helps you guide your companion safely and comfortably through everyday life right from the start. HonestDog provides clear guidance on ownership laws and direct access to responsible breeders and verified animal welfare organizations — without high-pressure sales tactics. If you're still deciding which dog matches your lifestyle best, try our interactive matching tool to find a breed that fits your daily routine.

Sources

• petbook.de
• dogssupreme.de
• de.wikipedia.org
• transparenz.bremen.de
• inneres.bremen.de
• hundetrainingszentrum-bremen.de
• bild.de
• service.bremen.de