Pet import requirements for Belgium

Belgium at a glance

The detail

A customs broker is required only for commercial import. Destination A destination agent is strongly advised / Required for commercial import. Region: Western Europe Borders / Surrounding Countries: North: Netherlands East: Germany South: Luxembourg and France West: North Sea (coastline) Capital: Brussels EU Membership: Yes — Belgium is a member of the European Union, so it…. Have the HAWB issued to BRU, ANR, LGG, and OST unless the airline assigns a different live-animal station.

Import requirements

Minimum 15 weeks (21 days after rabies vaccination)

Travelling with Pets

For pets (dogs, cats, ferrets):

• Valid microchip
• Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before arrival in cast of first vaccination)
• Rabies antibody blood test (if origin is a high-risk country) from an EU approved lab (blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before arrival)

Health certificate for entry in the EU

Non-commercial movements:

The pet needs to arrive within up to five days of the movement of the owner.

Max. five pets per owner

For pets (dogs, cats, ferrets):

• Pets must come from an authorized non-EU country.
• Valid microchip
• Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before arrival in cast of first vaccination)
• Rabies antibody blood test (if origin is a high-risk country) from an EU approved lab (blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before arrival)

Health certificate for commercial entry in the EU

High risk countries need rabies blood tests

Commercial import is only possible from authorized countries

Points of Entry

Identification and microchip

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified with an implanted transponder approved by the competent authority. Marking by a clearly readable tattoo is authorized if applied before 3 July 2011.

Rabies and vaccinations

Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies as follows:

• the animals must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination;
• the vaccine must comply with the requirements set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 576/2013;
• at the day of dispatch to the Union, at least 21 days must have elapsed since the completion of the primary vaccination against in fection with rabies virus;

a certified copy of the vaccination details must be attached to the animal health certificate

Vaccination against rabies.

Tests and treatments

Dogs, cats and ferrets coming from non-EU countries or territories listed in part I of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 for which the specific condition “rabies antibody titration test” applies must undergo the test as follows:

• must be carried out on a sample collected by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority during the period commencing at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, within a current valid vaccination series, and ending 3 months before the date of issue of the certificate;
• must measure a titre of neutralising antibody to rabies virus equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml;
• must be certified by an of ficial report from the of ficial laboratory as regards the result, and a copy of this report must be attached to the animal health certificate accompanying the animals to the Union;
• does not have to be renewed on an animal which, following the antibody rabies titration test with satisfactory results, has been revaccinated against rabies within the period of validity of the primary vaccination and all subsequent valid vaccinations in the series.

Health certificate and permits

For accompanied arrival (within 5 days before or after arrival owner):

see model in Part 1 of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1293 + a written declaration completed by the owner or an authorized person (see model in Part 3 of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013) regarding the non-commercial nature of the movement

For non-accompanied arrival from approved countries or when traveling with more than five animals:

See model in Chapter 38 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 403/2021

For pets (dogs, cats, ferrets):

• Valid microchip
• Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before arrival in cast of first vaccination)
• Rabies antibody blood test (if origin is a high-risk country) from an EU approved lab (blood sample taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before arrival)

Health certificate for entry in the EU

Quarantine

None

Customs, agents, and airports

A customs broker is required only for commercial import.

Destination A destination agent is strongly advised / Required for commercial import.

Airports:

• Brussels Airport, Brussels (IATA: BRU, ICAO: EBBR)
• Liège Airport, Liège (IATA: LGG, ICAO: EBLG)

Airports listed on this destination file: BRU, ANR, LGG, OST.

For an accompanied arrival or when Brussels is not the first point of entry in the EU, it is possible for owners to handle customs clearance by the mselves, but it is highly recommended to find out the details in advance. (different locations, costs etc, depending on the airline of arrival)

For non-accompanied arrival, if Brussels is the first point of entry in the EU, the assistance of a broker is required.

Export notes

Requirements according to rules & regulations of the destination country.

Other pets / CITES / extra rules

General CITES regulations apply.

Official contacts

Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Cha in Centre administratif Botanique

Food Safety Center

Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 55

1000 BRUXELLES Phone: 02/211 92 00

Fax: 02/211 91 80

https://www.favv-afsca.be/

info.BRU@AFSCA.beimport@afsca.beFederal Public Service

Health, Food Chain Safety and Enviroment

Tel: +32 02 524-7317

Website

apf.vetserv@health.belgium.be

Customs

Douane en Accijnzen

North Galaxy

K. Albert II laan, 33

1030 Brussels

Belgium

info.douane@minfin.fed.be

Current as of Dec 2023

Disclaimer

Import rules change without much warning. Confirm every vaccine date, test, permit, and crate routing with the destination veterinary authority before you travel. This page is a planning brief for Furry Freight customers, last checked against the IPATA country profile dated 2026-03-10.

Next: measure your dog, find the kennel size, then get a free travel quote. Moving on military orders? PCS moves. Going to Hawaiʻi instead? Hawaiʻi has its own regime.

Other destinations: Albania · Andorra · Austria · all destinations