Dangerous wild animals; application for a permit for non-commercial keeping

If you want to keep a dangerous animal of a wild species privately, you need a permit from the municipality.

Wild animals are all animal species that are not normally kept in human care. Such animals are dangerous if handling them can lead to injury or damage due to their peculiar dispositions or behavior (e.g. lions, tigers, bears, large or poisonous snakes). The specific characteristics of the individual animal (good-naturedness, tameness) are not relevant for the justification of the permit requirement.

The State Ministry of the Interior, Sport and Integration, in coordination with the State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, regularly publishes a list of examples to facilitate the classification of animals kept.

Permission is granted if the applicant

• proves a legitimate interest,
• there are no concerns about his reliability and
• there is no danger to life, health, property or possessions.

Strict standards must be applied to the requirements for granting a permit. For example, a mere hobby does not constitute a legitimate interest.

Permission can be made dependent on proof of the existence of special liability insurance.

A fine of up to ten thousand euros may be imposed on anyone who intentionally or negligently keeps a dangerous animal of a wild species without the required permit or fails to comply with the conditions attached to the permit.