Travelling with pets to the Netherlands (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, a rabies vaccination valid 21 days after the first shot, and an EU pet passport within the EU. From outside the EU an animal health certificate is needed, plus a blood test for high-risk countries. More than 5 dogs or cats counts as a commercial trip.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Identification and passport or certificateTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | Dogs, cats and ferrets must carry a microchip, and an EU pet passport is needed for travel within the EU. The chip number and the date it was implanted must be in the passport. [1] |
| Rabies vaccinationTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | The first rabies vaccination is valid 21 days after it is given. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old at that vaccination and must already have a microchip (the same day is allowed). A booster given before the previous vaccination expires is valid at once. [1] |
| Entry from outside the EU or the usual regionTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | From a low-risk country the pet may travel from 21 days after the first rabies vaccination and must be at least 15 weeks old. From a high-risk country (not on the EU list) it must be at least 7 months old and have a blood test, and may travel only 90 days after the blood sample unless the test was done in the EU before departure. The pet needs an EU animal health certificate (an EU pet passport only if it has been in the EU before), an owner declaration and entry through a travellers' point of entry, and must be reported to customs on arrival. [2] |
| Number of animals per travellerTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | A trip with more than 5 dogs or cats counts as a commercial trip, unless the animals are going to an event or a competition. Commercial trips must meet stricter import rules. [3] |
| Breed or other restrictionsTravelling with a dog, cat or ferret | A dog that stays in the Netherlands for more than 3 months must be registered with RVO within 2 weeks of arrival. A pet that does not meet the EU import rules is sent back to its country of origin or put in quarantine, at the owner's cost. [2] |
Notes
- Cats coming from Australia and cats or dogs coming from peninsular Malaysia have extra conditions because of the Hendra and Nipah viruses.
Sources
- Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA): Ik reis met mijn hond of kat binnen de EU (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA): Ik neem mijn hond of kat mee uit een land buiten de EU (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
- Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA): Honden en katten invoeren (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.