Can I Bring My Pet to The Netherlands

The Netherlands is an animal-friendly country, and the Dutch people love animals. Therefore, the Netherlands is a great destination for those wishing to bring their pet with them. There is a joke that goes around that in some cases they even like their pets more than their own children. 

Indeed - It’s very common to see animals in coffee places, shops and even hotels. The Netherlands has an extensive network of hiking trails and parks that are suitable for pets. Whether it's a relaxing walk along the beach, a hike through the dunes or a stroll in one of the many national parks, there are plenty of options for you and your pet to get some fresh air and exercise while exploring our lovely country. No matter how well-trained your dog is, keep in mind that dogs are not always allowed to be off their lead in the Netherlands. 

However, there are special parks, dog designated play gardens, and areas where dogs can run free and wild in every city. The Netherlands is known for its beautiful landscapes, including beaches, forests, lakes and meadows -which are heaven for people, but also for your pet. 

In that light, it is quite easy to bring your pet along from another country to the Netherlands. You just need to make sure all the conditions are met. For example, dogs, cats and ferrets must have been vaccinated against rabies. The conditions depend on the kind of animal you want to bring in and the country it is coming from.

Conditions for bringing a dog, cat or ferret to the Netherlands from another EU country: 

The Netherlands wants to prevent animals with rabies from entering the Netherlands. If you want to bring a dog, cat or ferret to the Netherlands from another EU country:

• the animal must be at least 15 weeks old
• the animal must be vaccinated at 12 weeks old
• after the animal has been vaccinated, you must wait 21 days before bringing it to the Netherlands
• the animal must be microchipped and have an EU pet passport.

Each pet shall be identified using a microchip. No other form of identification is acceptable. Further details regarding the rabies vaccine: Pets may travel to the Netherlands with a current one-year vaccine (also known as a “primary” vaccine).Pets may travel to the Netherlands with a 3-year vaccine administered less than a year ago (otherwise, it may be considered a booster).

EU 5-Day Rule

 If your dog or cat is being transported "non-commercially," they must fly within five days of their owner. If you cannot meet this 5-Day Rule, the move can still be carried out, but it will be considered a commercial move, which increases costs and changes the EU import requirements and timeline. In such cases, you will need to meet stricter import requirements.

EU Health Certificate Your vet who vaccinated your pet for relocation, the one providing the results and certificates needs to issue an EU Health Certificate. This document needs to be accredited by a veterinarian who must fill out and sign in a different color ink than the certificate's printing, usually blue ink. This certificate is valid for ten days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the checks at the EU point of entry. There will be no quarantine imposed if the requirements are met.

For people from the USA and Canada - USDA Endorsements To ensure compliance with the USDA and Canada regulations, the following forms below must be sent to your local USDA for approval.

• Microchip Implantation Record
• Rabies Certificate
• EU Vet Health Certificate
• Airline Health Certificate

Registering an imported dogIf you are planning to import a dog, you must have it microchipped and registered within two weeks of its arrival in the Netherlands. The microchip is normally implanted by a vet, who can also advise you on how to register the animal.

Unlisted Countries and Additional Requirements If you come from an "unlisted country," your pet will need a rabies antibody test. In this case, there are different steps to take:

• Microchip and rabies vaccination (at least 30 days old before blood draw)
• Rabies antibody test performed by an accredited veterinarian and sent to an EU-approved laboratory.
• Before completing export paperwork, you must wait 90 days after the blood draw (assuming a passing result).

Animals from countries not included on the list need to have complete anti-rabies treatment. Additionally, animals from countries not included on the list may only arrive at an authorized point-of-entry in the Netherlands. These include:

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Port of Amsterdam

Maastricht-Aachen Airport

Port of Eemshaven

Port of Harlingen

Port of Rotterdam

Port of Vlissingen

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has more details HERE.