Dog Tax Compared: All 26 Swiss Cantons 2026
Switzerland has no single nationwide dog tax system. Each of the 26 cantons — sometimes each municipality — sets its own rates. This overview shows the indicative cantonal rates for the first dog, compared side by side.
All 26 cantons compared
| Canton | Indicative rate, 1st dog / year |
|---|---|
| Basel-City | CHF 160 |
| Zurich | CHF 140 |
| Vaud | CHF 130 |
| Aargau | CHF 120 |
| Geneva | CHF 120 |
| Lucerne | CHF 120 |
| Ticino | CHF 120 |
| Bern | CHF 110 |
| Neuchâtel | CHF 110 |
| Schaffhausen | CHF 110 |
| Zug | CHF 110 |
| Basel-Landschaft | CHF 100 |
| Glarus | CHF 100 |
| Solothurn | CHF 100 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 100 |
| Fribourg | CHF 90 |
| Nidwalden | CHF 90 |
| Obwalden | CHF 90 |
| Thurgau | CHF 90 |
| Valais | CHF 90 |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | CHF 80 |
| Jura | CHF 80 |
| Schwyz | CHF 80 |
| Grisons | CHF 70 |
| Uri | CHF 70 |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | CHF 60 |
Average indicative values per canton, first dog, 2026. The actual municipal rate may differ.
Which canton has the highest dog tax?
Basel-City has the highest indicative cantonal rate for the first dog at around CHF 160 per year, followed by Zurich at around CHF 140. According to a Comparis analysis of major Swiss cities, Uster (ZH) reaches as much as around CHF 200.
Which canton has the lowest dog tax?
Appenzell Innerrhoden sits at the low end with around CHF 60 per year, followed by Uri and Grisons at around CHF 70 each.
Why are the differences so large?
Dog tax has historically been a cantonal, often municipal, levy with no federal harmonisation. Densely populated urban cantons with higher cleaning and enforcement costs tend toward higher rates, while rural cantons often charge less.
Cities with a dedicated guide
For the largest Swiss cities we've created additional detailed guides: Zurich, Bern, Basel and Geneva.
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