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

Do you want to know what you will need in your situation? Use the 'rule tool' on the website of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and see what applies to your situation (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. The EU pet passport must have been issued in the EU.
• An ID chip. 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 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.
• 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, use the 'rule tool' on the NVWA website (information in Dutch). Also read the information about travelling to the Netherlands with a dog or cat from outside the EU.

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.

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 you 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

Report to Customs

If you are entering the Netherlands with live animals, you must report to Customs (aangifte goederen - goods to declare) before you exit the arrivals hall. This is mandatory.

You will need to pay customs duties 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 you do not submit a customs declaration, you can be fined. And you will still have to submit a customs declaration.