Italian Town Will Charge Tax for Visiting Dogs

The northernmost province of Italy, called Bolzano, South Tyrol, sits tucked along the Swiss and Austrian borders and is home to alpine views, world-class skiing, and one of Italy’s best Christmas markets. It’s a wonderful place to visit for those looking for an outdoor adventure and a chance to enjoy a side of Italy that’s defined more by mountains and meadows than the stereotypical pasta and beaches.

As tourism to Italy overall reaches record levels, nearly every corner of the country is feeling the impact, and recently, the Dolomites have become one of the places that seems to be popping up on everyone’s bucket lists.

From the consequences of viral Instagram exposure to new luxury resorts, several factors have turned this once-overlooked region into one of Europe’s fastest-growing hotspots. And while that doesn’t mean you should scratch northern Italy from your travel plans, a trip to the Dolomites is sure to be an unforgettable experience, here are a few things you should keep in mind before you book your flight, especially if you are planning to travel with your pup in tow.

Tourism Restrictions Here Are Nothing New

The eponymous and largest city in the province of Bolzano is one of the primary launching points for exploring the mountainous region, and the effects of overtourism have become hard to ignore. In 2023, the local government began taking measures to curb the negative impact of its booming popularity by implementing regulations, including restrictions on new accommodation openings and capping the number of nightly visitors.

Arnold Schuler, who is responsible for Bolzano’s tourism, explained that these measures were taken because “tourists come here to hike and to see beautiful places, not to find themselves in a traffic jam.”

Additionally, caps on the number of day trippers and a reservation system for some popular hiking destinations were put into place, similar to measures recently taken in Venice. With the number of Airbnbs in the region increasing by nearly 400% in the past five years, many locals have been pushed out of their neighborhoods, so these regulations are aimed at helping them retain their quality of life.

The Next Target: Dog Owners

Limits on short-term rentals and other crowd-control measures are not unique to Bolzano, in fact, many popular cities across Italy and Europe have been taking similar steps in recent years to curb the surge of international tourism that arrives in large waves, especially during the summer. One measure that does make Bolzano stand out is a recent proposal also to make four-legged visitors pay their fair share, a daily tax of €1.50 on travelers arriving with dogs is expected to go into effect at the start of 2026.

While opponents of this new tax argue that it’s unnecessary and unfair to pet owners, the city stands by the move, claiming that the revenue will go toward cleaning services and maintenance of public spaces with heavy foot (and paw) traffic — waste removal, park upkeep, and general sanitation. Interestingly, the rule will also apply to local residents, who will have to pay an annual fee of approximately €100 per pet. This decision has become one of the most contentious aspects of the proposal.

Pick up After Your Pup — Or Else

This new tax is actually the second step in Bolzano’s campaign to target dog owners and hold them accountable. In 2024, the city began requiring every pet in the province to undergo a €65 DNA test, allowing authorities to trace any uncollected droppings back to the negligent owner. Those caught failing to clean up after their dogs may now face fines that can reach up to €1,000.

The initiative is designed to shift the cost of maintaining public spaces from taxpayers to pet owners alone, ensuring cleanup expenses are covered by only those responsible. Participation has been slow, of the approximately 45,000 dogs in the province, only about 5,000 were registered by the original deadline, with many owners refusing to comply.

Supporters view the program as a simple fix to a gross nuisance, while critics argue it punishes those who already act responsibly.
For now, dog owners who have completed the DNA registration will not have to pay the city’s dog tax for the first two years once it goes into effect in 2026.

Aiming To Avoid a Repeat of 2025

According to a recent report by Demoskopika, Bolzano ranked among the top regions most affected by overtourism in all of Italy in 2025. While in sheer numbers, more international tourists still tend to flock to Rome, Venice, or Florence, the strain on Bolzano’s smaller population and limited infrastructure is proportionally far greater.

Besides just sold-out hotel rooms and short-term Airbnb rentals, the region has also seen overflowing parking lots, causing traffic jams and overcrowded trails that are impacting the environment.

While taking extreme measures, including putting a tax on dogs, might seem bizarre, this 2025 ranking served as a wake-up call for many Bolzano residents, and these new regulations specifically targeting dogs are just one way the city is trying to restore balance and normalcy to everyday life for the people who actually live there.