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South Africans in Germany

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Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love into our lives. They teach us patience, loyalty, and the simple happiness of living in the moment.

Adopting a dog in Germany involves several steps, legal considerations, and responsibilities. Here’s what you need to know:

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In Germany, you can adopt a pet from animal shelters (Tierheime), rescue organizations, and foster networks. Local Tierheime, run by organizations like the Deutscher Tierschutzbund, houses a variety of pets looking for new homes.
Online platforms like Tierheim Verzeichnis help locate shelters near you. 

Adopting a pet in Germany involves a thorough process to ensure a good match between you and your new companion. Expect to fill out an application, go through a screening interview, and possibly have a home visit to ensure a safe environment.
Some shelters and rescues may also require proof of pet-friendly housing, liability insurance for dogs, and payment of the adoption fee. Once approved, you’ll sign an adoption contract and may have a trial period before the adoption is final.
The process is designed to prioritize the well-being of the animal and ensure responsible pet ownership.

Adopting a pet at a "Tierheim"

In Germany, pet ownership is a serious commitment, and animal shelters (Tierheime) carefully assess potential adopters to ensure a suitable match. Before adopting, you’ll go through a screening process to determine whether your home environment meets the needs of the pet you wish to adopt.

Dog adoptions typically involve a more thorough evaluation than cat adoptions, but in both cases, you should be prepared to answer questions such as:

  • Does your landlord allow pets?
  • Do you have access to a garden?
  • Do you have other animals at home?
  • Are there children in the household? If so, how old are they?
  • Does anyone in your home have allergies?
  • Will someone be home for most of the day?
  • How much time can you dedicate to exercising a dog?
  • What arrangements would you make if you needed to relocate?
  • Adoption Fee – Ranges from €150–€500, covering vaccinations, microchipping, and neutering.
  • The shelter will likely require proof that you have obtained dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung) and that your dog is registered, with the necessary Hundesteuer (dog ownership tax) paid.
  • It is quite common for dog adoption organizations to conduct an in-person home inspection. This ensures there are no hazardous objects or plants that could pose a risk to the dog. The visit is simply a precautionary measure to confirm that your home is safe and suitable for a new pet.

Adopting from Breeders

If adopting from a breeder, ensure they are registered with the VDH (Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen) VDH.de.

Adopting from Rescue Organisations

When adopting from a rescue organization in Germany, it’s important to ensure they operate legally and ethically. Here’s what to look out for:

Registration & Transparency

✅ Registered as a Non-Profit – Reputable rescues are often registered as eingetragener Verein (e.V.) or as a foundation (Stiftung).
✅ Legal Importation – If the organization rescues dogs from abroad, they must comply with EU animal transport regulations and provide proper documentation (passport, vaccinations, and microchip).
✅ Clear Contact Information – Legitimate rescues have a physical address, phone number, and a website with clear adoption policies.

Ethical Treatment of Animals

Health Records & Vaccinations – The organization should provide vaccination records, microchip details, and proof of deworming.
✅ Neutering Policy – Responsible rescues usually neuter/spay dogs before adoption or have a contract requiring it.
✅ No Unusual Fees – Adoption fees should be reasonable (€150–€500) and cover vet care, vaccinations, and administration.

Adoption Process

✅ Screening Process – A proper rescue will ask questions, conduct home checks, and ensure the dog is a good fit for you.
❌ No ‘Instant’ Adoptions – Be wary of organizations that allow adoptions without checks or pressure you to decide quickly.

Compliance with German Animal Welfare Laws

✅ Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act) – The rescue should follow Germany’s strict animal welfare laws.
✅ TRACES Certification – If the dog is from another EU country, it should be registered in the EU’s TRACES system (Trade Control and Expert System) to prevent illegal puppy trafficking.

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Gardening Rules

Garden Laws in Germany: A Quick Guide If you’re a proud plant parent or weekend weed warrior here in Germany, you might be surprised to find that your garden is subject to some pretty specific rules. This isn’t just about making things look neat — it’s about noise, nature, and neighbourliness. Whether you’re tending to your tulips in a tidy suburban plot or growing boereboontjies on your balcony, there are a few legal bits and seasonal tips worth knowing. Did you know your garden and the local green spaces are living habitats for wildlife and insects? If you cut back or trim your plants too soon, you are removing necessary pollen sources for insects, such as bees and butterflies. It can also reduce or eliminate habitat for birds and small mammals that are dependent on these  for food and shelter Some laws and regulations to know Trimming Regulations According to Article 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), excessive cutting and grafting of trees, hedges, shrubs, and woody plants are prohibited between 1 March to 30 September. This is referred to as Pflanzen-Schonzeit. You are allowed to gently trim vegetation for general care and maintenance. If birds are nesting in a tree or bush, you are not allowed to trim it Quiet Hours You are only allowed to mow your lawn from Monday to Saturday, from 7:00 in the morning to 20:00. You are not allowed to mow your lawn on a Sunday or a public holiday. If your tools do not have the correct EU Environment labels, you can only use them from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00. The fines are quite hefty. Compost, But Don’t Offend Composting is encouraged, but your pile shouldn’t smell like something died in it. If it becomes a nuisance, you could face fines — so no meat, dairy, or cooked food, and make sure it’s turned regularly. Watch the Fence Boundary hedges and trees must keep a respectful distance. Each federal state has different requirements, but as a rule of thumb: Hedges under 2m: at least 50 cm from the boundary. Trees: often need 1–2m clearance, depending on height and type. Weed killers The use of weed killers is only permitted on agricultural, horticultural and forestry areas. Weed killers may not be used on paved surfaces. These include paths and squares such as sidewalks, park and cemetery paths, garage entrances, courtyard areas, sports facilities, communal and commercial areas of all kinds. It is irrelevant whether the herbicides are approved or are home remedies such as vinegar or road salt. Violators face fines of up to € 50,000. See the Plant Protection Act for more information. Why You Shouldn’t Mow Over Spring Bulbs Too Soon When your lawn transforms into a colourful spring wonderland — with anemones, dandelions, tulips, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, snowdrops, or lily of the valley — it’s tempting to tidy up as soon as the petals drop. But hold off on that mower! Those leaves may look a bit untidy, but they’re doing crucial behind-the-scenes work. After blooming, the leaves continue to photosynthesise — converting sunlight into energy. This energy is stored in the bulb underground, fueling next year’s flowers. If you cut the leaves too early, you rob the bulb of its ability to recharge, and next spring’s display might be disappointing or even absent. While there may not be a federal law that specifically bans mowing over bulbs too early, many German towns — especially ones pushing “natural lawn” or Bienenwiese initiatives — have local ordinances or at least recommendations encouraging delayed mowing in spring, naturalising flower lawns and leaving parts of the garden wild for biodiversity. In some districts (like parts of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony), early mowing in public green spaces or rented allotment gardens (Schrebergärten) may even go against local garden rules (Gartenordnung). It’s always worth checking your municipality or Kleingartenverein‘s guidelines. Delaying your mowing until bulb leaves fade isn’t just better for your plants — it’s better for bees, bugs, birds, and even your next bloom season. Think of it as nature’s recharge period: hands off, and let the garden do its thing. Regional laws Rules for gardening are also regulated by the federal states and sometimes also by the municipality. These can include the distance between trees, building a greenhouse, removal of lawn and bushes, stone gardens ( Schottergärten ) etc. Your rental agreement and home association rules can also dictate what you can and can not do. A common issue is plants or plant boxes on the balcony. Some examples: Nachbarrecht Baden-Württemberg Gerätehütten und Gartenhäuser Baden-Württemberg Schrebergarten (Allotment/urban gardens) These are small inner-city gardens. Finding one to rent is extremely difficult. They are also known as Kleingartenanlae or Gartenkolonie. Wohnglück has an article on how to get a Kleingarten  Monthly Garden Task List Need a cheat sheet for what to do in the garden each month? Here’s your friendly South African gardener’s guide — Germany edition. 🌱 January Sharpen your secateurs and prep tools. Plan your garden layout or order seeds. 🌿 February Prune fruit trees before sap starts running. Start early seeds indoors (like tomatoes or peppers if you’re brave). 🌷 March Clear dead plant matter and prepare beds. Sow hardy veg like carrots, radish, and lettuce. 🌼 April Plant potatoes and onions. Begin hardening off indoor seedlings. 🌞 May Plant frost-sensitive veg and flowers outside (after Eisheiligen, usually around May 15). Mow the lawn regularly — within quiet hours! 🌻 June Keep an eye on weeds — they’ll try to take over. Mulch beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds. 🍓 July Harvest early fruits and berries. Water deeply, preferably early morning or evening. 🍅 August Continue harvesting — tomatoes, beans, zucchini. Prune hedges before the autumn growth spurt. 🍂 September Plant autumn bulbs (tulips, daffodils). Divide and transplant perennials. 🍁 October Rake leaves (some towns provide compost drop-off points). Wrap delicate plants in fleece or mulch for winter. 🌨 November Clean and store tools. Protect pots

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Pets

Pets Bringing your fur babies to a new country can be a daunting and emotional experience. The first thing you need to acquaint yourself with is the rules for bringing pets from South Africa to Germany. These rules are updated regularly and we therefore only add links to the relevant pages. We added some links to Pet immigration services that were recommended by fellow South Africans, and if you would rather do it yourself, we have a page where people shared their do-it-yourself experiences. Dangerous (Banned) Dogs Some dog breeds are banned in Germany. There are additional rules for individual states.  Up-to-date information can be found on the Zoll (Customs) website.Some dangerous dog breeds are allowed, depending on the Federal state, and must be registered at the Ordnungsamt. Qualzuchten (Torture Breeds) Section 11b of the German Animal Welfare Act [1] prohibits breeding animals with characteristics that cause them to suffer – but so far there are no guidelines on how these should be defined. For this reason, torture breeding is still widespread.  Examples are English Bulldogs, “Teacup dogs”, Sphinx cats A list of breeds can be found on the PETA website Cats Cats have a different status in Germany than dogs, and there are fewer regulations regarding cats once you are in Germany. Here are some examples relevant to cats: You do not need to confine your cat to your property and they can roam freely, You also do not need to attach your cat to a leash.  Although you do not need to microchip your cat if you buy it in Germany, it is still advisable to do so. There are no taxes payable on cats Neutering – Most Federal states are now requiring your to have your cat neutered. Find out more from your local municipality  Resources on the web Animal Lawyer – Rights and Duties of a Cat Owner in Germany  Animal Lawyer – Rights of a cat living outside of the house Customs Info Zoll – German Customs, provisions on the import of pet animals Zoll –  Dangerous dogs BMEL – Rules on entering the European Union (EU) with dogs, cats and ferrets Pet Immigration or transport services The following companies are suggestions from fellow South Africans  Animal Travel Services Global Paws Aeropets Keringa Petwings PETport Petstravel Shared experiences and doing it yourself Registration, taxes and permits In most states, dogs must be added to the dog registry (Hunderegister) in your area. Search for example “Hunderegister Hamburg”. Please note, not all States (Bundesländer) require you to regsiter your animal. In order to register the dog, the animal needs to be chipped and covered by liability insurance. Dogs must be registered for dog tax /Hundesteuer.  You can register for the taxes at the Bürgeamt.  See for example the information from Stuttgart or Berlin.  Depending on where you live the registration can be done online. Dangerous breeds – If your dog falls in the dangerous breed, you must register it at the Ordnungsamt Identification badge, chip and handler licence As mentioned before, the rules and regulations can differ per federal state. Most states require dogs to have an identification badge and a chip.  When you take your dog for a walk, the dog’s name, your address and the dog tax disc must be on the dog’s collar.  You might also be required to get a licence to prove you can handle your dog (Hundeführerschein)Information about the Hunderegister can be found on the Hundeinfoportal Rules and regulation for owning a pet Rules and regulations can be found on the Gezetze im Internet Dog regulations.Not all federal states have a rule that you need to pick up your dog’s poo, but this is just basic decency, especially if you take your dog walking. You can buy special poop bags for that, and most parks have special bins to dispose of the bags. Pet Insurance Agila and Allianz offer pet insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung). Dog insurance is mandatory in some federal states. It is not medical insurance for your pet, but it covers you if your dog harms another dog, person or property.  Adopting a pet Apps Mein Haustier Pet sitting and kennels For pet sitting, look at the Pawshake app, or on the Hundelieb websiteYou can also find other possibilities on our Minijob pageFor cats, search for Katzenpension in your area, or consider a house sitter. Another option is to search for a cat sitter on Catinaflat Below are some South African pet sitters who live in Germany and would love to spend some time with your fur babies. Raw food for pets Try the following websites: Petsdeli BARF Konzept Store on Amazon Das Tierhotel – gesunde Tiernahrung Death of a pet There are some restrictions on burying or cremating a pet in Germany. Things you need to keep in mind: The TierKBG (Tierkörperbeseitigungsgesetz Gesetz über die Beseitigung von Tierkörpern, Tierkörperteilen und tierischen Erzeugnissen) governs the rules and regulations for disposing of animals Some Federal states have stricter rules and regulations. Always make sure what is allowed for where you live. Below are some general rules, but could be different for the state you live in. If you would like to bury a small animal in your garden, you can only do so if you are the owner of the property, or get permission from the owner. The animal must be buried at least 50cm deep and not close to public roads ( at least two meters away).  Burial in a garden is not allowed if it is in a water conservation area, and also not if the animal died from a notifiable disease.  You may not bury an animal on public grounds or in a park or forest. You can bury your pet in a Tierfriedhof, or have them cremated. If the animal died at the Vet, they can assist with cremation or disposal. Animal welfare You can report any issues regarding animal cruelty at the Tierschutsbund under Tierquälerei Resources on the web I am Expat – Info on pets Settle in Berlin – Bringing pets into Germany How to Germany – Pets Travelling with pet birds Travelling with pets within the

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Finding a place to stay

Finding a place to rent Finding a place to rent is almost like doing a job interview. You have to “advertise” yourself and you will have to go for interviews. The best is to go prepared! Documents needed  You will need at least the following documents: A Schufa report (credit report), proof of employment, bank statements and a motivation letter if you like. In this you introduce yourself .. how big the family is, do you have pets, do you have parties every Wednesday, do you smoke, where you work, etc. A tip from others is to add proof of insurance, such as pet insurance if you have pets or personal liability insurance. You can also add a reference letter from your employer.  When you are not yet sure what type of place you want to get or exactly where consider making use of Airbnb for a couple of months. It also helps while you are waiting for your furniture to arrive in Germany. For more information and helpful tips on moving to Germany, visit the page below. Schufa A “Schufa” is a credit report. It is a bit of a chicken-egg situation. You cannot get a Schufa unless you already live in Germany.  To get around this you can stay in an Airbnb for a couple of months and then get a Schufa, or say upfront that you don’t have one yet, or look for properties that do not require one. If you have an employment contract, you can also ask if they will accept that.Simple Germany has a good guide on getting a Schufa Cost of Living In general, properties are more expensive in Germany than in South Africa, also when renting. Food and clothing prices depend a lot on where you are buying. Medical insurance is also more expensive in Germany,The most, expensive cities in Germany concerning rent are Stuttgart, Hamburg and MunichHere are some cost-of-living comparative sites to give you an idea: Numbeo, Expatica, Destatis, and Mecer Information from Commerzbank for a family of 4 – in Germany  Sparda Bank Wohnen in Deutschland More information on the internet Immowelt.de – a really good source of current information from types of housing, to disputes with neighbours. Available in German Where to look for Accommodation Rental agencies Apps Other Immowelt Meinestadt Immobilienscout24 Housing Anywhere Immowelt ImmoScout24 WG.Gesucht.de Meinestadt.de Your local paper eBay Facebook sometimes has listings in an area Relocation agents such as Swift Relocation Furnished short term rentals Shared accomodation Mr Lodge if you are looking for a furnished apartment Zeitwohnwerk –  agencies providing furnished accommodation in Germany Wunderflats Home2go Flathopper in Munich Homelike Airbnb Website with shared accommodation in Berlin and Munich WG Gesucht Buy or Rent To buy or rent is a personal choice. Just be aware of the possible hidden costs of ownership.There was a case recently where owners were charged for fixing the road in front of their properties.Interest rates are pretty low. Deposits are high.Simple Germany has a good article on this Typical property description “3-Zimmer Wohnung Die Wohnung bietet eine Wohnfläche von ca. 116,56 m². Diese Fläche verteiltsich auf den Flur, zwei Schlafzimmer, das Wohnzimmer, das hell geflieste Vollbad, das WC und die Wohnküche.Die Küche wir nur mit einem Herd und einer Spüle ausgestattet.” “3-room apartment The apartment offers a living space of approx. 116.56 m². This space is distributedbetween the hallway, two bedrooms, the living room, the brightly tiled bathroom, the toilet and the kitchen-diner.The kitchen is only equipped with a stove and a sink.” Important When you are looking at a property with “3 Zimmer” it does not refer to bedrooms but the total rooms excluding the Kitchen and Bathroom. Many properties will have no lights installed, only the fittings. You have to get them fitted or fit them yourself. A good place to look for artisans is My-Hammer Make sure you know what your responsibilities will be for example are you responsible for keeping the pathway clear from snow or for cleaning the staircase (Treppenhaus). In BW you might be responsible for cleaning during your Kehrworche Living space – Living space can be calculated according to 3 methods.  Only in the case of subsidized housing is a method prescribed by the Housing Subsidy Act The DIN-277 standard. The floor space (Grundfläche) and living space (Wohnfläche) are the same. The height of the room is irrelevant. Roof areas, balconies, basements and garages are included.  The Second Calculation Ordinance (II. BV), only up till 31.12.2003 Living space ordinance (WoFlV – as of 01.01.2004) In disputes the court follows this method. It evaluates the part of the floor space that can be used for living. It is not the same as the Grundfläche(floor space) method- Rooms with sloping ceilings can only partially be taken into account. Cellars, laundry rooms, heating rooms and garages do not count towards the living space. Chimneys, pillars and columns do not count towards living space if they are higher than 1.50 meters and have a floor area of more than 0.1 square metres. Be careful of photos, it could for example be taken with the kitchen fitted but if it doesn’t say a kitchen is included (Einbauküche or EBK), it is not. It is possible to lease your furniture,  Lyght Living and In-lease offers such services Rental Scams When looking for accommodation in Germany, be aware of rental scams, which can target unsuspecting renters. Scammers may post fake listings with attractive prices or demand upfront payments before allowing you to view the property. Common red flags include requests for money via insecure methods like wire transfers, landlords who claim to be abroad, or suspiciously low rent for prime locations. Always insist on viewing the property in person, verify the landlord’s identity, and never transfer money without a signed contract. Staying cautious can help you avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. For more info and tips: Germanpedia – Rental Scams About Berlin – Common housing scams Your rights We are not at liberty to give any legal advice.  The advice we can give is to get everything in writing and know your rights.For

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