Dog tax For years, there has been controversy among owners of four-leggeds in Poland. In 2025, this fee inactive applies in many municipalities, although its amount and rules vary according to decisions of local authorities. Will this year be the last year for this tax? What should dog owners know to avoid unpleasant surprises?
Dog tax: what is 2025?
In 2025 the maximum rate of dog taxation is PLN 178.26 a year for 1 dog, according to the announcement of the Minister of Finance. However, in practice, many municipalities set their own, frequently lower rates. For example, in smaller towns this amount may be only PLN 40–50 per year. In large cities specified as Warsaw, Poznań or Kraków, the taxation was completely abolished, which means that residents of these municipalities do not gotta worry about the additional costs of maintaining their pets.
Who has to pay a dog tax?
The work to pay the taxation lies with the owners of dogs in the municipalities that have decided to introduce it. However, there are certain exceptions and groups of persons who are exempt from this obligation:
- Seniors over 65 years of age – provided they have 1 dog.
- Farmers – if they keep no more than 2 dogs per farm.
- Persons with disabilities – utilizing assisting dogs, e.g. guides.
- Care facilities – shelters, foundations or nursing homes active in animal care.
It is worth noting that the details concerning exemptions may vary depending on the municipality. Therefore, it is worth checking local regulations to avoid unnecessary charges.
Why is the taxation only applicable to dogs?
That's what the opponents have been asking for years. They argue that the introduction of fees only for dog owners is unfair, especially since another animals, specified as cats or rabbits, are completely exempt from fees. Dog owners already bear crucial costs related to the maintenance of their pets, including veterinary care, food or accessories.
The dog taxation was introduced in Poland in the 1990s as a form of support for municipal budgets. However, the gross from this taxation is comparatively low – in 2024 it amounted to around PLN 3.9 million across the country, which, compared to its enforcement costs, is an almost symbolic amount.
Dog taxation and enforcement costs
Many experts believe that a dog taxation generates more problems than benefits. The costs associated with its administration, including printing forms, authoritative service or payment control, frequently outweigh the receipts to municipalities' budgets. This is 1 of the main reasons why there are votes about the request to quit the taxation altogether.
In 2025, a bill is to be presented in the Sejm to remove the dog tax. This thought fits into European trends to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. In many European Union countries, the dog taxation has already been abolished or never existed.
Is this the last year of the dog tax?
Although there are many indications that dog taxation can be eliminatedThe final decisions on this issue have not yet been made. Four-legged owners should follow changes in regulations to avoid possible problems. It is besides worth remembering that not paying the taxation in the municipalities where it is applicable may consequence in financial penalties.
- The maximum rate is PLN 178.26 per year, but the fee depends on the municipality.
- Exemptions include seniors over 65, farmers and people with assist dogs.
- Tax is only applicable in selected municipalities – in Warsaw, Poznań and respective another cities has been abolished.
- In 2025 it is possible to liquidate this taxation throughout Poland.
The owners of dogs should review the rules in force in their municipalities on an ongoing basis and keep track of the planned changes. Dog tax It can shortly go into history, which will surely delight many four-legged lovers.
Continued here:
Dog taxation 2025. Who will gotta pay
