Bringing a pet to Belgium

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Belgium enforces strict, origin-dependent entry rules for dogs, cats, and ferrets, with no quarantine for compliant pets from EU/listed countries but potential isolation for those from high-risk rabies areas. All pets need microchipping, rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport or third-country health certificate. Expect rigorous checks at the border, especially for pets arriving from outside the EU.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Belgium.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Health certificate (EU Annex IV form for non-EU origins, or EU pet passport for EU origins)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For pets from EU-equivalent origins (e.g., Andorra, San Marino, Vatican), an EU pet passport is sufficient; no separate health certificate needed.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Health certificate (EU Annex IV form)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from low-risk origins (e.g., US, UK, Japan, Australia) do not need a rabies titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 30+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government or USDA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Health certificate (EU Annex IV form)
Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate
Import permit from the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, import permit fees vary by country. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

Pets from high-risk origins (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a rabies titer test and an import permit from FASFC. The permit application must be submitted at least 30 days before travel. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Only if your dog is arriving from a high-risk rabies country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East). For low-risk and EU-equivalent origins, no titer test is needed. The test must be done at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and show a titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml.

If your dog is from a high-risk origin, you must apply for an import permit from the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) at least 30 days before arrival. The permit is free of charge but requires submission of the rabies titer test results and other documents.

Yes, you can bring up to 5 dogs as a non-commercial traveller without needing a commercial import license. If you bring more than 5, you must prove they are for non-commercial purposes (e.g., attending a competition or show) or comply with commercial import rules.

No. Belgium does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from standard pet import requirements. They must still be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have a health certificate. Service dogs may qualify for reduced checks if they have specific documentation, but the core requirements remain.

A puppy must be at least 12 weeks old to receive its rabies vaccination, and then you must wait 21 days after the vaccination before travel. So the minimum age for entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days). For high-risk origins, the titer test adds another 30 days, making the minimum age about 19 weeks.

No. Belgium does not require quarantine for dogs entering from any origin, provided all import conditions (microchip, rabies vaccination, titer test if applicable, health certificate, and import permit if required) are met.

The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel. If it expires, your dog must be revaccinated and you must wait 21 days before entering Belgium. For high-risk origins, a new titer test may also be required if the vaccination interval is broken.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Belgium.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

EU pet passport (if from EU/EEA) or third-country health certificate (Annex IV model)
Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and validity date
Microchip certificate if not already in passport

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP).

Cats from Andorra, San Marino, Vatican, Monaco, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and EU member states are treated as EU-equivalent. No titer test or import permit needed.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US, DEFRA for UK) · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and validity date
Microchip certificate if not already in passport

Rough budget

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand) require a health certificate but no titer test or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of entry.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 30+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Import permit from FAMHP
Third-country health certificate (Annex IV model) endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine details, and validity date
FAVN titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory
Microchip certificate if not already in passport

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP).

Cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India, China, most of Africa and South America) require a rabies titer test and an import permit. No quarantine upon arrival if all paperwork is in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Only if the origin country is classified as high-risk (e.g., Thailand, Russia, India). For low-risk countries like the USA or UK, no titer test is required. For EU-equivalent countries, also no titer test.

You may bring up to 5 cats as a non-commercial movement. If you bring more than 5, commercial rules apply, requiring additional documentation and fees.

No. Belgium does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard pet import rules. All cats must meet microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of their role.

The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Belgium. For high-risk countries, the certificate must also be endorsed by the origin country's veterinary authority.

No. The minimum age for rabies vaccination is 12 weeks, and the cat must be at least 15 weeks old to enter (12 weeks + 21-day waiting period). Kittens under 15 weeks cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement.

No. Belgium does not impose quarantine for cats arriving from any country, provided all import requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and if applicable, titer test and import permit) are met.

You must bring your own ISO-compatible microchip reader. Belgian authorities will not read non-ISO chips. The cat must be re-microchipped with an ISO chip before travel if the existing chip is not ISO-compliant.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Belgium.

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Health certificate (EU Annex IV model if from non-EU country)
Microchip proof (date of implantation)
Pet passport (if from EU/EEA country)

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$30-80, EU pet passport ~$50-100 if needed. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV-AFSCA).

Ferrets are considered companion animals under EU Regulation 576/2013. Must be individually identified by microchip before rabies vaccination. No titer test or import permit needed for free-tier origins.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Not required

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Not required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Health certificate (EU Annex IV model if from non-EU country)
Microchip proof (date of implantation)
Pet passport (if from EU/EEA country)

Rough budget

Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of entry. No titer test or import permit required.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip

Required

ISO 11784/11785

Rabies vaccine

Required

From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel

Rabies titer test (FAVN)

Required

Blood draw 90+ days before travel

Quarantine

None

Health certificate

Required

Official government or USDA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival

Import permit

Required

Documents checklist

Rabies vaccination certificate
Health certificate (EU Annex IV model)
Microchip proof (date of implantation)
Rabies titer test (FAVN) certificate
Import permit from FAVV-AFSCA

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$30-80, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV-AFSCA).

For high-risk origins, a rabies titer test and import permit are mandatory. No quarantine upon arrival if all documentation is in order. The 3-month waiting period after the titer test applies.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

No. EU Regulation 576/2013 requires a minimum age of 12 weeks for rabies vaccination. Ferrets under 12 weeks cannot be vaccinated and therefore cannot meet the 21-day waiting period. You must wait until the ferret is at least 15 weeks old to travel (12 weeks + 21 days).

No. The US is classified as a low-risk (listed) country under EU rules. Ferrets from the US do not need a rabies titer test (FAVN) or import permit. They need a microchip, rabies vaccine (given at least 21 days before travel), and an EU health certificate issued within 10 days of entry.

You may bring up to 5 ferrets under the non-commercial pet travel scheme (EU Regulation 576/2013). If you bring more than 5, you must comply with commercial import rules, which require an EU health certificate, a registered importer, and possible additional checks.

No. Belgium does not recognise emotional support animals as a separate category for import. All ferrets must follow the same rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and titer test if from a high-risk country. No exemptions apply.

No. The microchip must comply with ISO 11784/11785. If your ferret has a non-ISO chip, you must bring your own compatible scanner. The chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.

If you plan to stay longer than the vaccine's validity (usually 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine), you must have the ferret revaccinated by a Belgian vet before the certificate expires. Keep the vaccination record updated to avoid issues when leaving Belgium.

Yes. For high-risk origins like Thailand, you must apply for an import permit from the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV-AFSCA) before travel. The permit application requires proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, and a FAVN titer test with a result ≥0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before entry.

Good to know

Always verify your pet's origin rabies-risk category before travel, as requirements vary significantly; using an official EU or Belgian government tool is recommended to avoid last-minute surprises.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Belgium, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).