Pet import requirements for the Netherlands
What The Netherlands asks for before a dog or cat can enter — the microchip, the rabies work, the permit and the paperwork — and how far ahead you need to start. We handle all of it on a move we arrange.
Import rules change, and they change without notice. Last verified 2026-01-15 by the country-profile service Furry Freight uses; profile last updated 2026-01-15. Confirm every requirement with the authority named below, or with us on (424) 421-1650, before you book a flight or start any vet work.
The Netherlands at a glance
| Requirement | For Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Microchip Required | Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU |
| Rabies | A rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days prior to export for pets coming from low risk countries |
| Rabies antibody test Required | A Rabies Titer Test (FAVN) is required for dogs, cats and ferrets entering the Union from a high risk rabies country |
| Import permit Not required | Not required |
| Quarantine | In case a pet arrives in The Netherlands that does not apply with the import requirements it will be confiscated and placed into quarantine |
| Minimum age to travel | 15 weeks from EU and Low-risk countries |
| EU rules that also apply | This destination is grouped with the European Union; confirm whether EU pet-movement rules apply |
| Customs clearance | Yes for all KLM arrivals and commercial arrivals on all airlines |
| Agent at destination | Strongly advised |
Where this fits in the timeline. The order matters more than the effort: a rabies vaccination given before the microchip was implanted does not count in most regimes, and a titer test drawn too early restarts a waiting period. On a move we handle, we check your pet's existing dates against these rules on the free consultation before anything is booked.
The detail
The Netherlands, in formally Holland, is a country located in Northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. Because Netherlands is in Europe, transit countries on the way can impose extra live-animal rules even when the destination file looks straightforward. No import permit is required.
Import requirements
15 weeks from EU and Low-risk countries. Pets must be vaccinated no sooner than 12 weeks of age, and wait 21 days after rabies vaccination before entering the Netherlands.
Pets may only be shipped during the first two thirds of pregnancy, not after.
[Bringing pets into the Netherlands | NVWA-English](https://english.nvwa.nl/to pics/travelling-to-the-netherlands-with-your-dog-or-cat)
[Bringing cats or dogs into the Netherlands](https://english.nvwa.nl/to pics/travelling-to-the-netherlands-with-your-dog-or-cat)
https://english.nvwa.nl/to pics/travelling-to-the-netherlands-with-your-dog-or-cat
https://ivo.nvwa.nl/
https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets/travellers-points-entry_en
The type of health certificate required depends on whether or not your pet’s transport is accompanied, or it in volves a purchase, sale, or transfer of ownership, and number of pets you are traveling and why you are traveling.
Non-Commercial Transport: the owner travels with or within 5 days prior/ after the pet. In case the owner is not able to travel with the pet he may also assign a natural person who has authorization in writing from the owner to carry out the non-commercial movement on behalf of the owner. This is only allowed under the condition that the true owner also shows the same travel plan within 5 days of the pet.
• A licensed veterinarian in the originating country must complete the non-commercial EU health certificate for The Netherlands and endorsed by a government accredited veterinarian must occur within 10 days of travel.
• After arrival in The Netherlands this document is valid for 4 months, within these 4 months, a vet must issue an EU-pet passport.
Requirements from EU-countries: Your veterinarian must obtain and update an EU Pet Passport for your pet.
• Health certificate must be issued within 10days travel.
• Government endorsed is valid for 10 days.
Requirements from low-risk rabies countries:
• Microchip implanted by a vet
• Traveling from low-risk via high-risk to EU
Requirements for high-risk rabies countries:
• Microchip implanted by a vet
• Rabies blood test required at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. At least three calendar months must elapse between the blood sampling day and traveling to The Netherlands
From some countries it’s forbidden to import pets on a commercial health certificate. Please contact your local IPATA agent for more info.
Identification and microchip
Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU. Your veterinarian must always scan the microchip before giving your pet a rabies vaccination. The animal must be microchipped and have a pet passport.
The microchip must be implanted by a vet.
When buying a pet abroad it must already have a microchip. Within two weeks after arrival your pet must be registered with a vet. In the event of importing a dog from abroad you need to register yourself first (municipal) to get an UBN number before going to the vet.
More info on: [Identification and registration of dogs](https://english.rvo.nl/to pics/identification-and-registration/dogs)
Rabies and vaccinations
A rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days prior to export for pets coming from low risk countries. The validation of the vaccination will be accepted as stated by the manufacturer of the vaccine. The export requirements for validation may diver per country. As of 2022 the USDA only accepts a one year rabies vaccination for export to the EU.
If your pet is entering from a high rabies country, it must wait for a minimum of 30 days after the primary vaccination before a blood samples can be taken to test on Rabies.
The animal must be vaccinated against rabies. A Rabies vaccination can only be given from 12 weeks of age. After the animal has been vaccinated, you must wait 21 days before importing the pet to the Netherlands.
General cat and dog vaccinations such as DHLPP & FVRCP are not mandatory to enter the country but recommended
Tests and treatments
A Rabies Titer Test (FAVN) is required for dogs, cats and ferrets entering the Union from a high risk rabies country. Rabies blood test required at least 30 days after the primary rabies vaccination. At least three calendar months must elapse between the sample date and entry into the country. Samples must be processed through EU approved laboratories;
Designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests - European Commission
*If entering the Netherlands from Malaysia and Australia: You must show documentation stating your pet has not had contact with pigs in at least 60 days prior to export. Your pet has not lived in a place where cases of Nipah disease have been confirmed during the past 60 days, and your pet must be tested with negative results to a IgG capture ELISA test carried out in a Laboratory approved for testing for Nipah disease viruses within 10 days of export.
A parasite treatment is not mandatory for entering the Netherlands.
Health certificate and permits
The type of health certificate required depends on whether or not your pet’s transport is accompanying, or it in volves a purchase, sale, or transfer of ownership, and number of pets you are traveling and why you are traveling.
Non-Commercial Transport:
UPDATED 2024 Health certificate
Commercial Transport Health certificate
Commercial Transport:
No import permit is required.
Pets may arrive in cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo. Import paperwork needed to enter remains the same in any way.
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
Quarantine
In case a pet arrives in The Netherlands that does not apply with the import requirements it will be confiscated and placed into quarantine. When you follow the regulations and make use of a local IPATA agent this barely happens.
Quarantine is not something you can book upfront in case the pet needs to leave and it does not apply with the import regulations yet.
Restrictions and banned breeds
No breed restrictions on importing pets that move with the owner. In case of commercial import/ adoption and non-domestic cat/dog species please make contact with a local agent for more info.
Customs, agents, and airports
Yes for all KLM arrivals and commercial arrivals on all airlines. Recommended for other arrivals
Highly Recommended
Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, IATA/ICAO code: AMS
Alternative: Maastricht Aachen Airport, Maastricht IATA/ICAO: MST
Airports listed on this destination file: AMS, RTM, EIN, MST.
Relocation (no VAT applicable)
When relocating to The Netherlands, please provide owners passport copy, e-ticket, residency permit and/or work letter stating the relocation.
Purchase (VAT applicable)
When importing a puppy or kitten, an in voice is required and customs taxes are applicable.
Export notes
All dogs, cats and ferrets leaving The Netherlands for another EU Member State must be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies (in that order) and wait 21 days before leaving The Netherlands. If you are planning to take your pet on a trip to a country with a high in cidence of rabies, your veterinarian should do a Blood Titer Test before you leave The Netherlands if you intend to return. Export permits may be required for non-accompanied transports.
Other pets / CITES / extra rules
The Netherlands is part of the CITES Convention.
To apply for an import cites: [How to apply for a CITES permit?](https://www.rvo.nl/on derwerpen/cites/aanvraagproces)
- Pet birds: (only allowed on non-commercial health certificate with a maximum of 5 birds): digd012023e.pdf/ digd012024e.pdf
- Pet rabbit:
- Commercial:diaz012021.pd
- Non-commercial: A general health certificate from a ‘local’ vet will do. He needs to declare the rabbit(s) breed, sex, color, amount, if he is fit to travel. The certificate for commercial moves may also be used in this case. Owners declaration: digd012001d.pdf
- Pet rodent:
- Non-commercial: A general health certificate from a ‘local’ vet will do. He needs to declare the breed, sex, color, amount, if he is fit to travel. The certificate for commercial moves may also be used in this case. Owners declaration: digd012001d.pdf
Official contacts
Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality
Bezuidenhoutseweg 73
2594 AC The Hague
Tel: +31 70 379-8911
Tel: +31 77 465-6767
Tel: +31 70 214-0214
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
Herman Gorterstraat 55
3511 EW Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 88 223-3333
Fax: +31 88 223-3334
E-mail: info@nvwa.nl
Information from the Government of the Netherlands | Government.nl
[Convention on International Trader in Endangered Species (CITES)](https://www.rvo.nl/on derwerpen/cites/aanvraagproces)
Tel: +31 88 42 42 42
Current as of January 2025
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 2026-01-15.
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
Official sources for the Netherlands
- Travellers' points of entry ec.europa.eu
- Designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests - European Commission food.ec.europa.eu
Questions about moving a pet to Netherlands
Does my dog or cat need a microchip for the Netherlands?
Your pet must have a working microchip (also called a “transponder”) before getting its rabies vaccination for travel to the EU
From the country profile, last verified 2026-01-15.
What rabies vaccination does the Netherlands require?
A rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days prior to export for pets coming from low risk countries
Is a rabies antibody (titer) test needed for the Netherlands?
A Rabies Titer Test (FAVN) is required for dogs, cats and ferrets entering the Union from a high risk rabies country
A titer test is the single most common reason a move takes months rather than weeks, because the waiting period runs from the blood draw.
Do I need an import permit to bring a pet into the Netherlands?
Not required
Will my pet be quarantined on arrival in the Netherlands?
In case a pet arrives in The Netherlands that does not apply with the import requirements it will be confiscated and placed into quarantine