What are the requirements for traveling to the Netherlands with a pet?
The Netherlands is a rabies-free country, which means they work hard to keep it that way. As a result, requirements for bringing pets to the Netherlands may be a bit more stringent than in other countries.
In general, all cats and dogs within the country must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip implanted underneath their skin.
Also, they must be vaccinated against rabies, and this must be documented in their pet passport. A pet passport is another requirement to bring your pet over.
Moving from within the EU
Are you moving from within the EU? Then your pet will need a microchip, an EU pet passport, and rabies vaccination. Also, your pet has to be older than 15 weeks and vaccinated at 12 weeks old.
Your pet also needs to have a treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis as well if you've traveled through or to Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, or the UK. This must be done between 24 to 120 hours before entering the Netherlands.
If you're bringing a dog over, you have to register it and its microchip within two weeks of your arrival in the Netherlands.
Moving from outside the EU
If you're moving from outside of the EU, your pets will still need a microchip, pet passport, rabies vaccination before they're 12 weeks old, and parasite treatments. However, there's one additional requirement if you're from a high-risk country for rabies: a virus titer test. This is a blood test that proves your pets have active antibodies to the rabies virus.
This test needs to be done after one month of your pets' vaccination shots and at least three months before you leave for the Netherlands.
You must also receive a health certificate from your vet. This should include vital details like vaccinations, blood sampling data, and proof of treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis.
