Department of Health, Social Affairs and Integration

Apply for recognition as an assistance dog

Prerequisites

• You have a disability that prevents you from participating equally in society.
• As a trained assistance dog, the dog enables you to participate in social life and compensates for disadvantages caused by your disability.
• The dog is suitable as an assistance dog
  • good physical and mental health, without chronic pain and suffering that are difficult to treat or control, and without behavioural disorders.
• The dog has undergone training that qualifies him as an assistance dog.
  • A minimum of 60 hours spread over a period of two months.
  • The training was carried out in compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
• The dog is healthy.
• The dog has a registered microchip transponder.
• The dog is registered with a pet register.
• You have liability insurance that covers damage caused by the dog. The insured amount is at least 1 million euros, the deductible is a maximum of 500 euros.

Documents required

• Test certificate, test certificate or comparable proof of a passed test that qualifies the dog as an assistance dog (the date of the test must be visible)
• Proof that the dog is suitable as an assistance dog in your specific case (specific individual suitability), for example by a certificate from the social benefits provider or a specialist doctor
• Color photo of the dog (full body, side view, standing or lying down)
• Color photo of person with disability
• Your severely disabled person’s ID card or notice of determination of a degree of disability
• Proof of liability insurance for the assistance dog

Please note

Deadlines

The recognition is granted for a limited period and remains valid until your assistance dog has reached the age of ten.




The procedure described here only applies to applications submitted by December 31, 2025. From January 1, 2026, the recognition of assistance dogs will be carried out by recognized training and examination centers.

Procedure

• You complete training with your dog at a qualified facility or have the dog trained there by another person.
• You complete the training (if necessary by taking an exam) and receive confirmation of completed training (certification).
• You submit an application for recognition of your dog as an assistance dog to the responsible authority and attach the necessary documents.
• The responsible authority will examine your application and, if necessary, request any missing documents or information from you.
• If the test is positive, your dog will be recognized as an assistance dog. You will receive a written notification as well as an assistance dog ID card and a badge.
• If you wish to exercise your rights associated with the dog's recognition as an assistance dog, attach the badge visibly to the dog and carry the ID card with you.
• You have a veterinarian check every year whether your assistance dog is still healthy.

Processing time

Up to several weeks

Fees

No

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Assistance Dog Ordinance (AHundV)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ahundv/AHundV.pdf