Bringing a pet to Belgium

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Belgium applies the EU Pet Travel Scheme for dogs, cats, and ferrets without additional national quarantine or permit layers, so compliant pets are processed on arrival rather than detained. Requirements tighten by the origin country's rabies status: pets from high-risk origins need a rabies titer test and a 3-month wait, while pets from EU-equivalent and most other controlled-rabies countries do not.

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 veterinarian of the origin country, or an EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Belgium does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. Some airlines and some Belgian municipalities (e.g. certain communes in Brussels and Wallonia) may impose restrictions or additional requirements on 'dangerous breeds' such as Pit Bull-type dogs, Mastiffs, and Tosas. Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, etc.) are subject to airline-specific embargoes or additional health checks, especially for cargo transport — check with your airline before booking. No breed is banned from entering Belgium itself.

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (or third-country veterinary certificate for non-EU origins)
  • Proof of rabies vaccination (valid, in-date)
  • Microchip certificate or scanned chip number

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €30–60, EU pet passport €20–40, third-country health certificate €50–150. No titer test, permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and FASFC.

Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, and similar EU-equivalent territories are treated as EU for pet movement. The pet must be microchipped before the rabies vaccination is given for the vaccination to be valid. A booster given before the previous vaccination expires does not restart the 21-day wait.

Apply / official dog 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 of the origin country (USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, DEFRA for the UK, etc.) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Belgium does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. Some airlines and some Belgian municipalities (e.g. certain communes in Brussels and Wallonia) may impose restrictions or additional requirements on 'dangerous breeds' such as Pit Bull-type dogs, Mastiffs, and Tosas. Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, etc.) are subject to airline-specific embargoes or additional health checks, especially for cargo transport — check with your airline before booking. No breed is banned from entering Belgium itself.

Documents checklist

  • Third-country veterinary certificate (or EU pet passport if the pet was last vaccinated in the EU)
  • Proof of rabies vaccination (valid, in-date)
  • Microchip certificate or scanned chip number
  • Airline health declaration / fit-to-fly certificate

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €30–60, health certificate €50–150, airline fees €50–200. No titer test, permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and FASFC.

Most of Europe, the US, UK, Japan, Australia, and Canada fall here. The UK and Ireland are treated as EU-equivalent for pet movement under the EU Pet Travel Scheme, so a UK pet passport is accepted. The 21-day wait after the first rabies vaccination applies; a booster given before expiry does not restart the wait.

Apply / official dog 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 veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

Belgium does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. Some airlines and some Belgian municipalities (e.g. certain communes in Brussels and Wallonia) may impose restrictions or additional requirements on 'dangerous breeds' such as Pit Bull-type dogs, Mastiffs, and Tosas. Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, etc.) are subject to airline-specific embargoes or additional health checks, especially for cargo transport — check with your airline before booking. No breed is banned from entering Belgium itself.

Documents checklist

  • Third-country veterinary certificate
  • Proof of rabies vaccination (valid, in-date)
  • FAVN rabies antibody titration test result from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Microchip certificate or scanned chip number
  • Airline health declaration / fit-to-fly certificate

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €30–60, FAVN titer test €100–250, health certificate €50–150, airline fees €50–200. No import permit or quarantine fee applies if documents are in order. Confirm current prices with a local vet and FASFC.

No quarantine on arrival if all documents are in order, but the 3-month wait after the titer test blood draw is mandatory and cannot be waived. If the titer test result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the pet must be revaccinated and retested, restarting the 3-month wait. Pets from high-risk origins must enter through an approved Travellers' Point of Entry (Brussels Airport, Liège, Ostend, Charleroi, Antwerp, Zeebrugge).

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Up to 5 dogs per traveller. If you bring more than 5, the movement is treated as commercial and you must meet additional requirements (e.g. registration, health certification for trade). The 5-pet limit applies per person, not per household, and the pets must travel with you or within 5 days of your arrival.
No. Belgium does not exempt emotional-support animals or service dogs from the EU Pet Travel Scheme requirements. Your dog still needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and the correct certificate or pet passport. Airlines may allow a service dog in the cabin, but that is an airline policy, not an import exemption. If you arrive without the required documents, the dog may be detained, returned, or quarantined at your expense.
No. The US is not on the EU's high-risk list for dog rabies, so a titer test is not required for a US-origin dog entering Belgium. You need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and a USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. The UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia are treated the same way.
Thailand is a high-risk origin for dog rabies. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination, and a FAVN rabies antibody titration test done at an EU-approved laboratory at least 30 days after vaccination. You must then wait 3 months (90 days) from the date the blood sample was taken before the dog can enter Belgium. No import permit is required, but the dog must enter through an approved Travellers' Point of Entry such as Brussels Airport. If the titer result is below 0.5 IU/ml, the dog must be revaccinated and retested, restarting the 3-month wait.
If you are arriving from a non-EU country, your dog must enter through an approved Travellers' Point of Entry. For Belgium these include Brussels Airport (BRU), Liège Airport (LGG), Ostend-Bruges (OST), Charleroi (CRL), Antwerp port, and Zeebrugge port. If you arrive at a non-approved point, you may be redirected or the animal may be detained. EU-origin pets travelling on an EU pet passport can cross at any border point.
FASFC officials may detain the dog, require you to return it to the origin country at your expense, or place it in quarantine at your cost until the documents are resolved. There is no standard quarantine period for compliant pets, but non-compliant pets can face detention for days or weeks depending on the missing item. The safest approach is to have your vet and the airline check your documents before departure.
No. A valid EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian in an EU country replaces the third-country veterinary certificate for entry into Belgium. The passport must show a microchip number, a valid rabies vaccination, and be signed by a vet. If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you need the third-country veterinary certificate instead, issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinarian.

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 of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian in the origin country
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing date of vaccination, vaccine batch, and validity
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–50, EU pet passport €20–40. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA).

Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, and other EU-equivalent territories are treated as free-tier origins. The pet must be microchipped before rabies vaccination. The 21-day wait after primary rabies vaccination applies. For cats under 3 months old, entry is allowed only if accompanied by the mother and the mother's passport shows a valid rabies vaccination.

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 of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian in the origin country
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing date of vaccination, vaccine batch, and validity
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Third-country veterinary certificate if the origin country is not an EU member state and the pet is not travelling with an EU pet passport

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–50, EU pet passport €20–40, third-country veterinary certificate €50–150. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA).

Most European countries, the US, UK, Japan, Australia, and other controlled-rabies-status countries fall into this tier. The pet must be microchipped before rabies vaccination. The 21-day wait after primary rabies vaccination applies. For cats under 3 months old, entry is allowed only if accompanied by the mother and the mother's passport shows a valid rabies vaccination.

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 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian in the origin country
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing date of vaccination, vaccine batch, and validity
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Third-country veterinary certificate if the origin country is not an EU member state and the pet is not travelling with an EU pet passport

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–50, FAVN titer test €100–250, EU pet passport €20–40, third-country veterinary certificate €50–150. No import permit or quarantine fee applies if all conditions are met. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA).

High-risk countries include those flagged by the CDC for dog rabies (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East). The pet must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and then a FAVN test must be performed at least 30 days after vaccination. The pet must wait 3 months after the successful titer test before entering Belgium. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. For cats under 3 months old, entry is not allowed from high-risk countries.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Belgium follows EU rules: a single traveller may bring up to 5 pets (cats, dogs, ferrets) for non-commercial movement. If you exceed 5, the movement is considered commercial and requires additional health certifications and possibly an import permit. For more than 5 pets, contact the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) in advance.
Yes. Belgium does not exempt emotional support animals or service animals from import requirements. All cats, regardless of their role, must comply with microchip, rabies vaccination, and documentation rules. Service animals may be allowed in the cabin by airlines, but import regulations remain the same.
Kittens must be at least 3 months old to enter Belgium. They must also be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. Kittens under 3 months are not allowed unless they are travelling with their mother and the mother's rabies vaccination is valid.
It depends on the origin country. For cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa), a FAVN rabies titer test is required. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before entry. For cats from low-risk or free countries, no titer test is required.
You need: (1) an EU pet passport or a third-country veterinary certificate, (2) proof of a valid rabies vaccination, (3) proof of an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. For high-risk origins, also a FAVN titer test result. The health certificate (if required) must be issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
No. Belgium does not impose quarantine on cats that meet all entry requirements (microchip, rabies vaccination, and titer test if applicable). If requirements are not met, the animal may be quarantined at the owner's expense or refused entry.
No. Belgium has no breed-specific bans or restrictions for cats. All domestic cat breeds are allowed, provided they meet the general import requirements.

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 veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport or equivalent document showing a valid rabies vaccination
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, health certificate ~€100–200. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and AFSCA.

Ferrets are not listed in the EU Pet Travel Scheme (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013) for non-commercial movement, so Belgium applies national rules. Ferrets from EU/EEA countries or territories with equivalent rabies status (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) need an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and a health certificate or pet passport. No titer test or quarantine is 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)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, health certificate ~€100–200. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and AFSCA.

Ferrets from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia) need an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by a government veterinarian. No titer test or quarantine is required. Ferrets are not covered by the EU pet passport for non-commercial movement, so a separate health certificate is mandatory.

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 veterinarian of the origin country · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Import permit issued by Belgian AFSCA
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory
  • Microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Official health certificate issued within 10 days of travel

Rough budget

Approximate costs only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, health certificate ~€100–200, FAVN titer test ~€100–250, import permit fee ~€50–150. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. Confirm current prices with a local vet and AFSCA.

Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) need an import permit from AFSCA, a rabies titer test (FAVN) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml, and a 90-day waiting period after the titer test before entry. The titer test must be done at an EU-approved laboratory. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. Obtain the import permit before travel.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but ferrets are not covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme, so Belgian national rules apply. Your ferret needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel, and an official health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS within 10 days of arrival. No titer test or quarantine is required for ferrets from the US. Check with AFSCA for the latest requirements.
Belgium follows EU rules for non-commercial movement of pets, which generally allow up to 5 animals per traveller. If you bring more than 5 ferrets, they are considered commercial and must meet additional requirements, including an import permit and possible veterinary checks. For ferrets, the non-commercial limit is also 5. Confirm with AFSCA before travelling with multiple ferrets.
No. Belgium does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must comply with the same import requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and if applicable, titer test and import permit. Service animals are not exempt from rabies vaccination or health certificate requirements.
It depends on the origin country. If your ferret is coming from a high-risk country (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa), a rabies titer test (FAVN) is required. The test must be done at an EU-approved laboratory at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. For low-risk or free countries, no titer test is required.
Ferrets must be at least 3 months old (12 weeks) and have a valid rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old. This means the ferret must be at least 15 weeks old at the time of travel if vaccinated at 12 weeks. There is no maximum age limit.
An import permit is required only if your ferret is coming from a high-risk country. You must apply for the permit from the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) before travel. For low-risk or free countries, no import permit is needed.
You need an official health certificate issued by a government veterinarian of the origin country within 10 days of travel. The certificate must confirm the ferret's microchip number, rabies vaccination date, and that the animal is healthy and fit to travel. For high-risk countries, the certificate must also include the titer test result and import permit number.

Good to know

Belgium follows EU Regulation 576/2013 for non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets. The competent authority is the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC / AFSCA / FAVV). Pets arriving from non-EU countries must enter through an approved Travellers' Point of Entry: Brussels Airport, Liège Airport, Ostend-Bruges, Charleroi, Antwerp port, or Zeebrugge port. EU pet passports are issued by authorised Belgian veterinarians; non-EU pets travel on a third-country veterinary certificate. Verify current requirements with FASFC and your airline before travel.

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).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Belgium's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.