In this article
Travelling with your pet
Within the European Union, dogs, cats and ferrets travel with a European pet passport, a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination, among other requirements. For animals coming from outside the EU, the conditions are stricter and depend on the country of origin, and may include a blood test and waiting periods.
Check the requirements with your veterinarian and the Luxembourg veterinary authorities well before the move. Some steps take weeks or months to complete.
Registering a dog with the commune
In Luxembourg, dogs must be declared to the commune where the owner lives. The legal basis is the law of 9 May 2008 on dogs. In Luxembourg City, registration is handled by the Bierger-Center, the City's citizens' office.
According to the City of Luxembourg, you need:
- a veterinary certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, which confirms the dog's identification by microchip and its vaccinations;
- a copy of a valid civil liability insurance policy covering the dog.
Changes, such as a new address or a new owner, and the loss or death of the dog must also be reported. Forms for some of these steps are available online.
Civil liability insurance
Liability insurance covering damage your dog might cause to others is required to register the dog. Many home insurance policies include it or can add it; check that your policy explicitly covers the dog and send the certificate with your registration.
The annual dog tax
Communes charge an annual tax on dogs. In Luxembourg City, the City states that certain dogs are exempt, such as guide dogs and assistance dogs, and some working dogs, and that the tax is not reimbursed if the dog dies or is lost during the year. The amount is set by each commune; check the current rate with your commune when you register.
Rules in public spaces
Rules on leads, dog waste and access to parks and playgrounds are set by law and by communal regulations. In practice, keep your dog on a lead in the city, always pick up after it, and look for signs at park entrances. Luxembourg City has plenty of green space, and the forests on the edges of the city, such as the Bambësch, are popular with dog owners. Our guide to Rollingergrund describes one of the quarters closest to the forest.
Certain breeds are subject to additional obligations under the 2008 law. If you own a breed that may be concerned, check the current rules before moving.
Finding a pet-friendly rental
This is often the hardest part.
- Read the lease. Many leases in Luxembourg contain a clause on pets. Some forbid them, some require the landlord's written agreement, some are silent.
- Check the co-ownership rules. In an apartment building, the co-ownership regulation may also contain rules on animals. Our guide to buying in a co-ownership explains how those rules work.
- Be upfront. Mention your pet at the first contact. A landlord who finds out at signing, or after, is rarely pleased.
- Offer reassurance. A reference from a previous landlord, proof of insurance and a description of the animal help. A well-behaved older cat is an easier conversation than a young, large dog.
In shared flats, the other flatmates' agreement matters too. Our guide to colocation rules explains why the colocation pact should mention it.
The deposit and the end of the lease
Since August 2024, the deposit is capped at two months' rent, whether or not you have a pet. The entry inventory is your protection: record the condition of floors, doors and walls carefully, because scratches and marks are the most common pet-related deductions. See our guides to the état des lieux and security deposits.
Which quarters suit pet owners
- Close to parks and forests: Merl, with its park; Rollingergrund, next to the Bambësch; Limpertsberg, near the Glacis and the city park; the valley quarters, with their riverside paths.
- Homes with gardens: Cessange, Hamm and Cents, where houses and ground-floor flats with outdoor space are more common.
Our guides to Merl and Cessange and the eastern quarters look at these areas in more detail.
Questions we are often asked
Do cats need to be registered?
The registration obligation with the commune applies to dogs. Cats travelling from abroad still need to meet the travel requirements, such as identification and vaccination.
Can a landlord refuse a pet?
A lease can restrict or forbid pets, and a co-ownership regulation can impose rules on animals in the building. Read both before you sign, and get any agreement in writing.
Are there vets who speak English?
Yes, particularly in and around Luxembourg City. Ask neighbours or colleagues for recommendations; word of mouth works well.
Can I take my dog on public transport?
Dogs are generally allowed on public transport under conditions, such as being on a lead and, for some animals, muzzled or carried. Check the current rules of the operator before your first journey.
What should I do in the first week?
Find a vet, register your dog with the commune, and check that your insurance certificate names the dog.
Our take
Luxembourg is a good place to live with a pet, and the formalities are simple: a veterinary certificate, insurance and registration with the commune for dogs. The real work is in the housing search. Mention your pet early, choose a quarter with green space nearby, and document the home carefully at move-in.
Some of our homes accept pets, subject to the owner's agreement. Tell us about your animal when you contact us, and we will tell you straight away which listings are possible. See what is available now.
Sources
This article gives general practical information. Services, prices and rules change; check the current details with the operator or the commune concerned.
