Travelling with pets to Belgium (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: A microchip, a European pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination are needed, with a minimum age of 15 weeks. From outside the EU a rabies titration test and an animal health certificate may be needed. At most five animals may travel together, except for events.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Identification and passport or certificateTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | A dog, cat or ferret must be identified with a microchip. A tattoo is valid only if it was applied before 3 July 2011 and is clearly legible. The pet must also have a European pet passport that is correctly completed and signed. [1] |
| Rabies vaccinationTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | The pet can be vaccinated against rabies from 12 weeks of age and must be identified at the time of vaccination at the latest. The vaccination takes effect at least 21 days after the primary vaccination. A booster given within the validity period of the previous vaccination counts at once. [1] |
| Entry from outside the EU or the usual regionTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | For a pet travelling to Belgium from outside the EU, the pet needs a rabies titration test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, blood taken at least 30 days after vaccination) unless it comes from a country on the lists in Annexes I and II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/636. If the blood was taken outside the EU, the pet may travel to Belgium only 90 days after the sample. An animal health certificate issued up to 10 days before arrival is needed, except for a pet returning with a correctly completed EU pet passport when no vaccination or test was done outside the EU. [1] |
| Number of animals per travellerTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | At most five dogs, cats or ferrets in total may travel with the owner or an authorised person in one means of transport, unless it is public transport. More are allowed for a competition, exhibition or sporting event (or training for one) if there is written proof of registration and all animals are over six months old. [2] |
| Breed or other restrictionsTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | Belgium does not allow vaccinated animals younger than 15 weeks, or animals younger than 12 weeks that are not vaccinated against rabies, to enter its territory. [1] |
Sources
- Federaal Agentschap voor de veiligheid van de voedselketen (FAVV-AFSCA): Op reis met uw huisdier - Reizen naar België (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Federaal Agentschap voor de veiligheid van de voedselketen (FAVV-AFSCA): Op reis met uw huisdier - Type verplaatsing: Verplaatsing binnen de Europese Unie of buiten de Europese Unie? Handel van dieren of niet-commerciële verplaatsingen? (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.