Money and making ends meet
Dog tax in Maastricht: what you pay and why SAB wants it scrapped
Maastricht levies a dog tax: € 77.52 for the first dog in 2026. What you pay, when you are exempt, how to register and deregister, and why SAB wants this tax abolished.
Maastricht levies a dog tax. That is a municipal choice: a growing number of Limburg councils have abolished it, Maastricht has not. Below is what you pay, when you pay nothing, and why SAB believes this tax should go.
What you pay in 2026
- First dog: € 77.52 per year
- Second dog: € 111.72 per year
- Each further dog: € 135.00 per year
- Kennel: € 310.80 per year
These amounts are set out in the Maastricht dog tax by-law for 2026 and apply from 1 January 2026. The bill comes from BsGW, the tax partnership that handles this for Maastricht.
When you pay nothing
The by-law lists a number of exemptions. No dog tax is due for:
- guide dogs and assistance dogs
- dogs in a shelter
- puppies under three months still with their mother
- police dogs with a valid certificate
- Red Cross dogs with a valid certificate
- dogs kept by scientific institutions
Registering and deregistering
You register and deregister with BsGW, not with the council. That can be done online through MijnBsGW with DigiD, or by phone.
Register a dog as soon as you have it. And do not forget to deregister if the dog dies or moves away — that does not happen by itself, and you keep paying otherwise.
Cannot pay the bill?
Apply to BsGW for remission. If you have a low income and little or no savings, there is a real chance you will get it. Do it in time: within three months, and before a reminder is issued.
Why SAB wants this tax scrapped
The dog tax is a leftover from the days when dogs could spread rabies. That reason is gone. What remains is a tax on one group of pet owners: keep a cat, a rabbit or a horse and you pay nothing.
The proceeds also go into general funds. So it is not a contribution to dog bins or walking areas, however often people assume it is. For someone on a small income whose dog is their only company, it is simply a bill for nearly eighty euros.
Frequently asked questions
Register your dog with BsGW as soon as you have it at home. If you do not and an inspector calls, you can receive a back-assessment for the period the dog was already with you.
Deregister with BsGW. You pay dog tax per month that you keep the dog, so you get money back for the remaining months. Deregistration does not happen automatically.
Yes. No dog tax is levied on guide dogs and assistance dogs. Dogs in a shelter, puppies under three months still with their mother, and police dogs with a valid certificate are also exempt.
Apply to BsGW for remission. If you have a low income and little savings you may well qualify, including for the dog tax. Do so within three months.
Cannot work it out?
The help desk helps you free of charge, including with reports and applications. Fill in the form and we will get in touch.
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