How do I take my pet to the Netherlands?

If you are travelling with your dog or cat, the steps you need to take depend on the country you are travelling to the Netherlands from. Check the list of EU countries and select your situation.

From an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

If you are travelling from an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland to the Netherlands, you will need the following for your dog or cat:

• An EU pet passport. You can get this from your vet.
• A vaccination against rabies. This must be recorded in the EU pet passport. You can get your pet vaccinated if it is 12 weeks or older. This must be done no later than 21 days before you travel. Rabies vaccinations are valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine used.
• An ID chip. This must be placed before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination. The date on which your pet was chipped and the chip number must be stated in the EU pet passport.

For more information on what you will need in your situation, answer several questions on the website of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) (information in Dutch).

If you will be staying in the Netherlands for more than 3 months, register your pet with a vet.

From a non-EU country

If you are travelling from a non-EU country to the Netherlands, you will need the following for your dog or cat:

• An EU pet passport or EU veterinary certificate. You can get this from your vet.
• A vaccination against rabies. This must be stated in the EU pet passport or on the EU veterinary certificate. You can get your pet vaccinated when it is 12 weeks or older. This must be done no later than 21 days before you travel. Rabies vaccinations are valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the vaccine used.
• An ID chip. This must be placed before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination. The date on which your pet was chipped and the chip number must be stated in the EU pet passport or on the EU veterinary certificate.
• A blood test. Find out which conditions the blood test needs to meet on the website of the NVWA (information in Dutch). A blood test is not required if you are travelling from a country with a low risk of rabies.

For more information on what you will need in your situation, answer several questions on the website of the NVWA (information in Dutch).

Transiting with your dog or cat

If you are transiting through the Netherlands to another country, you can find the rules for that on the NVWA website.

Submitting a customs declaration

You will need to submit a customs declaration if the following 3 conditions apply:

• You have bought 1 or more pets outside the EU.
• You are taking the pet or pets to the EU for the first time.
• The pet or pets costs more than € 430.

If these conditions apply to you and you do not submit a customs declaration, customs may impose a fine. And you will still have to submit a customs declaration.

If you are travelling with your rabbit, rodent, reptile or bird, the steps you need to take depend on the country you are travelling to the Netherlands from. Check the list of EU countries and select your situation.

From an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

If you are travelling from an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland to the Netherlands, read in Dutch on the NVWA website:

• the rules for bringing your rabbit, rodent or reptile with you from an EU-country
• the rules for bringing a bird with you from an EU-country

From a non-EU country

If you are travelling from a non-EU country to the Netherlands, read in Dutch on the NVWA website:: 

• the rules for bringing your rabbit, rodent or reptile with you from a non-EU country
• the rules for bringing a bird with you from a non-EU country

Submitting a customs declaration

You will need to submit a customs declaration if the following 3 conditions apply:

• You have bought 1 or more pets outside the EU.
• You are taking the pet or pets to the EU for the first time.
• The pet or pets costs more than € 430.

If these conditions apply to you and you do not submit a customs declaration, customs may impose a fine. And you will still have to submit a customs declaration.