Is hunting liability insurance compulsory in Germany?
In short
Yes. Under section 17 of the Federal Hunting Act (Bundesjagdgesetz), you cannot get a German hunting licence (Jagdschein) without proof of hunting liability insurance (Jagdhaftpflicht). The cover must be at least 500,000 euros for personal injury and 50,000 euros for property damage. Good policies with 5 to 30 million euros cost about 50 to 100 euros a year.
Documented German tariff examples, annual premium for one hunter.
Example
Typical range
Tariff with 30 million euros cover, no deductible
about 66 euros a year
Same tariff with a 300 euro deductible
about 50 euros a year
Good hunting liability according to specialist media
under 100 euros a year
Surcharge for higher cover
usually hardly more than 10 euros a year
October 2026, tariff example from June 2025.
Specialist media expect premium adjustments.
Norman Nammert can obtain a current quote as an insurance broker.
Worked example
New hunter with one hunting dog
How hunting liability insurance for a first annual hunting licence adds up.
Cover
30 million euros combined
Hunting dogs
included
Premium without deductible
about 66 euros a year
Annual licence for three hunting years
proof shown to the hunting authority
About 66 euros a year for cover sixty times the legal minimum for personal injury.
What the Federal Hunting Act requires
Section 17 of the Federal Hunting Act says a hunting licence must be refused to anyone who cannot prove adequate hunting liability insurance. Adequate means at least 500,000 euros for personal injury and 50,000 euros for property damage, with an insurer based in the EU or with a branch in Germany.
You show the proof to the hunting authority (Jagdbehörde) when you apply for or renew your licence. An annual hunting licence is valid for at most three hunting years, a day licence for 14 days. Neither is issued without valid hunting liability insurance.
Why the minimum is not enough
Specialist hunting media consider the legal minimums for hunting liability insurance outdated. A shot that seriously injures a person can lead to lifelong pensions, care costs and lost earnings, which quickly exceed 500,000 euros. Anything above your cover you pay yourself.
The recommendation is at least 5 million euros, better 10 million. The extra premium for higher cover is usually hardly more than 10 euros a year.
Cover
Assessment
500,000 euros injury, 50,000 euros property
legal minimum
3 million euros combined
common, considered too low by experts
5 million euros
recommended minimum
10 to 30 million euros
up to date, often only a few euros more
Hunting dogs belong in the policy
According to specialist media, hunting dogs cause around four fifths of all claims reported under hunting liability insurance, mostly minor incidents outside the hunt. Policies without dog cover are cheaper but leave a gap. Check how many dogs are covered and from what age puppies are included.
Default cover (Forderungsausfall) is also worth having: it pays your own loss if another hunter injures you and neither he nor his insurer can pay.
Is personal liability insurance enough?
No. German personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) usually excludes hunting, and it does not count as proof under the Federal Hunting Act. For hunting you always need a separate hunting liability policy. In turn, it does not replace personal liability cover for everyday life.
When you do not need it
If you have only passed the hunting exam and not yet applied for a licence, you do not need hunting liability insurance yet. Anyone who does not apply for a licence, such as a beater without a gun, is not subject to this proof requirement. As soon as you want to hunt with a gun, it is compulsory.
Step by step
Take out hunting liability insurance before applying for the licence.
Choose cover of at least 5 million euros.
Include hunting dogs, gun ownership and hunting abroad.
Add default cover.
Show the insurance certificate to the hunting authority.
Checklist
Legal minimum sums under section 17 met
Cover of at least 5 million euros
Enough hunting dogs included
Default cover included
Cover abroad checked if you hunt outside Germany
Common mistakes
Insuring only the legal minimum to save a few euros
Choosing a tariff without hunting dogs
Assuming personal liability insurance covers hunting
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is it needed for a day hunting licence too?
Yes.
A day licence is also only issued with proof of adequate hunting liability insurance.
Does it pay for damage caused by my dog?
If hunting dogs are included in the tariff, yes, also outside the hunt.
Check the number of dogs.
Does it apply abroad?
Only if the tariff says so.
Check cover abroad before a hunting trip.
What is the legal minimum?
500,000 euros for personal injury and 50,000 euros for property damage.
Can I cancel it?
Yes, but without it you lose a condition for your hunting licence.
