Pet insurance in Germany: 5 best dog and cat insurances compared in 2026
If you have a dog or cat in Germany, pet health insurance is one of the smartest things you can get. A single surgery or serious illness can run into the thousands of euros, and German vet fees follow the GOT (the official veterinary fee ordinance), which means costs can add up quickly. The good news is there are some genuinely good options, whether you want a simple app-based insurer or a traditional German company behind you.
We have compared the 5 best pet insurances in Germany for English speakers and expats, looking at coverage, price, plan flexibility, and ease of use.
Comparison: Top Pet Insurance Providers in Germany
*Prices vary depending on species, breed, age, and coverage level. Quotes are based on a 2-year-old mixed breed dog in good health. All providers reimburse based on the GOT rate.
Provider
Monthly Price (from)*
Reimbursement Rate
Annual Coverage Limit
Waiting Period
Claim Process
Distinctive Feature
Feather
from €14.60 (cat, surgery) / €22 (dog, surgery)
70% to 100%
Unlimited
14 days (illness), 3 days (accident)
App / online (English)
Fully English-speaking service, popular with expats
Lassie
from €13.91
70% to 100%
€1,000 to unlimited
30 days (illness), 2 days (accident)
App-based
Rewards preventive care with app-based learning
Getsafe
from ~€8
80% to 100%
€3,000 to unlimited
3 months (illness), 2 weeks (accident)
App / online
Three tariffs from surgery-only to unlimited full cover
Hepster
from ~€9
80% to 100%
€3,000+
14 days
Online
Modular coverage, customise your level online
Barmenia Direkt
from ~€11
100% (GOT-based)
Unlimited
14 days
Online / email
Backing of an established German insurer since 1919
Dog Liability Insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung)
Benefit Limits
Pet Health Insurance: Unlimited
Surgical Cost Protection: Unlimited
Dog Liability Insurance: €20,000,000
Deductibles
Pet Health Insurance: 0 to 20%
Surgical Cost Protection: 0 to 20%
Dog Liability Insurance: 0 to €150
Average Monthly Cost
Pet Health Insurance: €74.19 to €86.51 (dog) or €39.86 to €45.64 (cat)
Surgical Cost Protection: €22.12 to €26.02 (dog) or €14.60 to €17.16 (cat)
Dog Liability Insurance: €5.58 to €6.90
Pros
✓
Puppies are automatically covered until they're one years old
Pros
✓
Liability cover remains when you move away from Germany
Pros
✓
Up to 12 months of travel covered for surgery/health plans
Pros
✓
Free video consultations with a vet
Pros
✓
Health insurance includes €70 per year for preventative treatments
Pros
✓
Health insurance includes €150 per year for dental treatments
Pros
✓
Cancel anytime after one year
Cons
✕
Dog liability insurance won't cover 'dangerous breeds'
Cons
✕
Veterinary treatments and medication are subject to an €800 limit
Cons
✕
Pre-existing conditions, breed standardisation, and brachycephalic syndrome treatments are not covered
Cons
✕
New policies can only be taken out between 8 weeks and 9 years of age
Feather is one of the few pet insurance providers in Germany designed for ex-pats. They offer their products to pet owners around the world, all in English, which has made them particularly popular for non-German speakers.
They offer health, surgery and liability insurance for cats and dogs with competitive cover, especially for owners who travel or move away from Germany and want to keep their insurance. We found their prices to be slightly higher than average and their policies slightly limiting with an €800 limit for vet treatments and medications procedures, 8 week minimum age and 9 year maximum age and no liability cover for 'dangerous' breeds.
Overall, Feather is a still a great pet insurance option, especially for ex-pats who want a modern, digital option where everything is easy to understand and best of all, all in English.
Insures all dog breeds, including listed or dangerous breeds
Pros
✓
Three health plan levels including one with unlimited annual coverage
Pros
✓
Dog liability insurance covers up to €50 million on the Premium plan
Pros
✓
English-language support and app available
Pros
✓
Entry age up to 8 years, lifetime coverage once insured
Pros
✓
SOS Dog Assistance add-on covers emergency boarding and rescue costs
Cons
✕
Dog health insurance premiums can be expensive compared to some alternatives
Cons
✕
Premium increases apply from age 4 (up to 33% for dogs)
Cons
✕
Everything runs through the app, less suitable if you prefer phone or in-person support
Cons
✕
7 day waiting period for accidents
Getsafe is a fully digital insurer that has built a strong reputation in Germany for making insurance simple and accessible, especially for expats. Their pet health insurance covers dogs and cats across three plan levels, and their dog liability insurance is one of the few in Germany that accepts all breeds, including those classified as dangerous under German law.
Everything is managed through their app, from signing up to submitting claims. English support is available throughout. Premiums for dogs can be on the higher side compared to some competitors, but the coverage is broad and the flexibility to choose your deductible and plan level makes it easier to find something that fits your budget.
Midi: Scales from €1,000 (year 1) to unlimited (year 3+)
Maxi: Unlimited for surgery and medical treatments
Deductibles
Configurable: 0% to 20%
Average Monthly Cost
Mini: from €13.91/month
Midi: from €21.42/month
Maxi: from ~€30/month
Pros
✓
Available in English with good expat support
Pros
✓
No breed restrictions
Pros
✓
No upper age limit for entry
Pros
✓
App rewards preventive care with premium reductions
Pros
✓
Dog liability insurance also available
Pros
✓
15% multi-pet discount
Pros
✓
Worldwide coverage for 12 months
Cons
✕
Bronze plan has a low annual coverage ceiling (€5,000) that can be reached quickly
Cons
✕
2 day waiting period for accidents
Cons
✕
Premiums can increase at the insurer's discretion
Cons
✕
Dog liability insurance excludes some off-leash scenarios on lower plans
Lassie started in Sweden and has since expanded to Germany and France. In Germany they offer dog and cat insurance across Bronze, Silver and Gold plan levels, as well as dog liability insurance. Their app rewards preventive behaviour with premium discounts, which sets them apart from most competitors.
Lassie is available in English, which makes them an accessible option for expats. Their Bronze plan has a low coverage ceiling that can be reached quickly, so we generally recommend looking at the Silver or Gold plans if you want more meaningful protection. There are no breed restrictions, and coverage can start from 6 weeks of age with no upper age limit on entry.
Unlimited annual coverage on full protection plans
Pros
✓
No fixed deductible on full protection tier
Pros
✓
4x GOT reimbursement on higher plans
Pros
✓
Worldwide coverage included for 12 months
Pros
✓
Competitive pricing, especially for cats
Cons
✕
Website and customer service primarily in German
Cons
✕
Less established internationally compared to Feather or Getsafe
Cons
✕
Fewer English-language reviews available
Hepster is a German digital insurer offering pet health insurance for dogs and cats. Their plans are available in surgical and full coverage tiers, with no waiting period for accidents and worldwide coverage included from day one. Unlimited annual coverage is available on their top tier, and there is no fixed deductible on the full protection plans.
Hepster is less well known internationally than Feather or Getsafe, but they regularly appear near the top of German price comparison tables. Their website and customer service are primarily in German, so they may be less convenient for expats who are not comfortable navigating German-language platforms.
Established German insurer with a long track record
Pros
✓
Worldwide coverage included
Pros
✓
Choice of deductible (0% or 20%)
Pros
✓
4x GOT reimbursement on full protection plans
Cons
✕
Premiums are higher than most digital competitors
Cons
✕
7 day waiting period for accidents
Cons
✕
Annual premium increases apply
Cons
✕
Coverage limit capped at €5,000 per year
Cons
✕
Limited English-language support
Barmenia Direkt is the direct-to-consumer arm of Barmenia, one of Germany's established insurance groups. Their pet health insurance covers dogs and cats in surgical and full protection tiers, with worldwide coverage and a choice of deductible. Premiums are higher than most digital competitors, but Barmenia's long track record in the German market gives some peace of mind around claims handling and financial stability.
English support is limited, and the process is less digital than Feather or Getsafe. Best suited for expats who are comfortable working in German or who specifically want a traditional insurer with a longer history.
Detailed Reviews of Pet Insurances in Germany
Here is a closer look at each of the five pet insurers we recommend in Germany. All of them cover dogs and cats, and all reimburse costs based on the GOT rate.
Feather: Best for Expats
Feather is the most expat-friendly pet insurer in Germany. Their entire service runs in English, from the app and policy documents to customer support. That alone sets them apart from every other provider on this list.
They offer three products: full health insurance (Tierkrankenversicherung), surgery-only cover (OP-Versicherung), and dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht). Benefit limits are unlimited on health and surgery plans, and the deductible can be set between 0% and 20%. The entry age limit is 6 years, which is younger than some competitors.
Feather scores well for transparency and ease of use. You can get a quote, sign up, and file claims entirely in English within a few minutes.
Lassie: Best for Preventive Care
Lassie is a Swedish insurer that has expanded to Germany with a strong app-first approach. Their three tariffs (Mini, Midi, Maxi) cover unlimited surgery under all plans, with medical treatment limits scaling up as you move to higher tiers.
What makes Lassie stand out is their preventive care rewards system. Complete short courses in the Lassie app on pet health topics and earn points that reduce your annual premium by up to €50. If you are the type of owner who likes staying on top of your pet's health, that is a genuine benefit.
Waiting periods are 30 days for illness and just 2 days for accidents. All reimbursements are based on up to 4x the GOT rate.
Getsafe: Best for Flexible Cover
Getsafe is a German digital insurer offering three pet health tariffs: OP-Schutz (surgery only), Vollschutz Komfort (full cover with annual limits), and Vollschutz Premium (unlimited full cover). This structure makes it easy to pick what you need without paying for more.
The Vollschutz Premium plan covers both dogs and cats with unlimited annual benefits. The maximum entry age is 8 years, which is more flexible than Feather. Claims are filed through the Getsafe app.
The main trade-off is the longer waiting period: 3 months for illness (compared to 14 to 30 days for most competitors), though only 2 weeks for accidents.
Hepster: Best for Customisable Coverage
Hepster offers modular pet insurance that lets you choose your coverage level online. Their plans cover medically necessary treatments and operations for dogs and cats, with reimbursements based on the GOT rate.
The main advantage of Hepster is flexibility. You configure your plan on their website and can adjust your coverage and deductible to fit your budget. It is a good option if you want something in between the cheapest surgery-only plans and full unlimited health cover.
Hepster is a smaller, newer player compared to Barmenia Direkt, but their digital-first approach keeps things simple.
Barmenia Direkt: Best for Peace of Mind
Barmenia Direkt is the online arm of Barmenia Versicherungen, a German insurer founded in 1919. If you prefer the backing of an established traditional insurer over a startup, Barmenia Direkt is a strong choice.
Their pet health plans for dogs and cats reimburse based on the GOT rate, giving you confidence that large vet bills will be covered properly. The online sign-up is straightforward, and claims can be submitted digitally.
If you are less comfortable with new app-only companies and want a name that has been around for over a century, Barmenia Direkt delivers that reassurance.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Germany?
The price of pet insurance in Germany varies depending on your pet's species, breed, age, and the level of coverage you choose. As a rough guide:
Basic surgery-only plans start at around €10 to €15 per month for cats and €15 to €25 for dogs.
Full health plans (surgery plus illness and medication) typically cost €20 to €60 per month depending on breed and age.
Premium unlimited plans can go above €80 per month for older or larger dog breeds.
All reimbursements are calculated against the GOT rate. Most insurers in Germany cover up to 4x the GOT rate, which is on the higher end of what vets typically charge. A standard waiting period of 30 days applies for illness, and 2 to 7 days for accidents.
Choosing the Right Pet Insurance in Germany
With several solid options in Germany, the right insurer depends on what matters most to you:
If you want everything in English: Feather and Getsafe both run fully in English, including their apps and customer support. Feather is particularly popular among expats.
If your pet is older than 6: Feather's entry age cap is 6 years. Go with Getsafe (up to 8 years) or Lassie (no upper age limit).
If you want the cheapest option: Lassie's Mini plan starts at around €14/month and includes unlimited surgery coverage.
If you want unlimited coverage: Lassie Maxi, Getsafe Vollschutz Premium, and Hepster's top tier all offer no annual cap.
If you want a traditional German insurer: Barmenia Direkt is backed by one of Germany's established insurance groups.
FAQ about Pet Insurance in Germany
No. Pet health insurance is not required by law in Germany. However, dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) is mandatory in most German states, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Bayern. Health insurance is optional but strongly recommended given the high cost of veterinary care.
The GOT (Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte) is the official German veterinary fee schedule. Vets can charge between 1x and 4x the GOT rate depending on the complexity of the treatment. Most pet insurers in Germany reimburse up to 4x the GOT rate, which covers the vast majority of vet bills.
Yes. Feather and Getsafe offer fully English-language apps, websites, and customer support. Lassie also operates in English. Hepster and Barmenia Direkt are primarily German-language platforms, though you can still sign up online.
Yes. Most insurers have a 30-day waiting period for illness and 2 to 7 days for accidents. Some will waive the waiting period for puppies under 120 days old if you submit a health certificate from your vet.
It depends on the insurer. Feather accepts pets up to 6 years old at entry. Getsafe accepts up to 8 years. Lassie has no upper age limit. Once insured, all providers cover your pet for life regardless of age.
