Bringing Your Pet to the Netherlands
If you’re thinking about bringing your pet to the Netherlands, the regulations vary based on what kind of animal it is and where you are travelling from. So please be sure to check out requirements before you travel with your pet.
Bringing a dog, cat or ferret to the Netherlands from an EU country
An EU pet passport (dierenpaspoort) is required when traveling within the European Union with a dog, cat or ferret. The pet passport is available from certified veterinarians in all EU countries. The EU Pet Passport contains the following information:
- Name and address of the owner
- Description of the animal
- Identification number
- Proof of rabies vaccination
- Record of other vaccinations
Your dog, cat or ferret will also require a special identifying ISO microchip (electronic identification system). A tattoo is only allowed if it was placed before July 3rd, 2011 and is clearly legible.
The animal must be vaccinated against rabies. The primary rabies vaccination must be given at an age of at least 12 weeks and at least 21 days prior to departure.
Note: Importing animals younger than 15 weeks (3 months + 21 days) is not possible in the Netherlands.
Bringing other animal species to the Netherlands from an EU country
If you have a different type of pet, such as a rodent, rabbit, bird, fish, amphibian or reptile that you wish to bring to the Netherlands from an EU country, it must have a pet’s health certificate signed by a veterinarian.
If the animal is a protected species, you must check that you are allowed to import it under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES).
Bringing a dog, cat or ferret to the Netherlands from a non-EU country with a low risk of rabies
Countries in the Listing of territories and non-EU countries are considered low-risk rabies countries.
Dogs, cats or ferrets entering the Netherlands from a low-risk rabies, non-EU country must have the following documents:
- A veterinary certificate according to EU regulations (English should be used, but the Netherlands also accepts certificates in German or French) (see this link) or EU Pet Passport
- Rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before departure)
- Microchip, or a tattoo placed before July 3rd, 2011 and clearly legible
- Application for inspection at the Animal Quarantine Services at the airport of departure
Note: Dogs, cats and ferrets under the age of 3 months from low-risk rabies countries can not enter the Netherlands.
A few days before departure, you should contact the Animal Quarantine Service and send the application form with the relevant details together with a copy of the rabies vaccination form issued by your veterinarian.
Once inside the EU, it is valid for four months (or until the expiration date of the rabies vaccine, whichever comes first), during which time you should obtain an EU Pet Passport.
If you travel with more than 5 animals, it is considered trade, and different rules apply. There are no quarantine requirements in the Netherlands if your pet is healthy and its vaccination is up-to-date.
There is no list of restricted dog breeds that are aggressive or considered fighting dogs.
Bringing a dog, cat or ferret to the Netherlands from non-EU country with a high risk of rabies
If you are bringing an animal from a country that is not on the Listing of territories and non-EU countries, then you must follow some additional steps before entering
Pets entering The Netherlands from a country with a high-risk of rabies have all of the same requirements as a pet from a low risk of rabies country, plus a Blood Titer Test one month after vaccination and three months prior to departure.
This means that the pet must be at least 7 months of age before they can travel to the Netherlands. Compliance with these regulations may mean that quarantine will not be necessary when you arrive.
Bringing a different species of animal from a non-EU country
You can find articles on the NWVA (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) website about importing different types of pets from outside the EU. Most of these articles are only in Dutch, so we recommend using an online translation site.
If you have questions about bringing your pet that are not answered on their website, you can contact the NWVA to ask directly.
