Bringing a pet to Netherlands

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

The Netherlands applies the EU Pet Travel Scheme for dogs: microchip, rabies vaccination, and an EU pet passport or health certificate are required. There is no routine quarantine for compliant dogs, but dogs from high-risk rabies countries need a rabies titer test. Requirements differ by the departure country's rabies status, so check the specific tier before travel.

Requirements for your pet

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

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

Breed restrictions

The Netherlands does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, some airlines and transport companies may have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds. Always check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU pet passport or veterinary health certificate
  • Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For travel from EU or listed third countries, a pet passport issued by an authorised vet is sufficient. The rabies vaccine must be given after microchipping and be valid at least 21 days before travel.

NVWA Netherlands

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

Breed restrictions

The Netherlands does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, some airlines and transport companies may have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds. Always check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • EU health certificate for non-commercial movement
  • Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For travel from non-EU countries not listed as high-risk, an EU health certificate issued by an official veterinarian is required. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. The rabies vaccine must be valid for at least 21 days before travel.

NVWA Netherlands

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/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

The Netherlands does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. However, some airlines and transport companies may have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds. Always check with your carrier.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • FAVN rabies titer test result from approved laboratory
  • EU health certificate for non-commercial movement
  • Microchip certificate or proof of microchip

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250. No import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

For travel from high-risk rabies countries, a rabies titer test is mandatory. The test must be done at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. The dog must be microchipped before vaccination and titer testing. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met.

NVWA Netherlands

Frequently asked questions

You can bring up to 5 pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) per traveller for non-commercial movement. If you exceed this number, the animals must meet commercial import requirements, which are more stringent.
Yes, the Netherlands does not exempt emotional support or service dogs from the standard import requirements. They must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have the appropriate health certificate or pet passport. No special exemption exists.
Dogs from high-risk rabies countries must have a FAVN rabies titer test. The test must be done at least 30 days after rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. The test must be processed by an approved laboratory.
No, there is no quarantine for dogs entering the Netherlands if all import requirements are met. If requirements are not met, the animal may be quarantined or returned at the owner's expense.
The EU health certificate for non-commercial movement must be issued by an official veterinarian within 10 days before travel. It is valid for 10 days from the date of issue.
No, a microchip is mandatory. The microchip must comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards. If your dog is not microchipped, it must be microchipped before rabies vaccination and any titer testing.
Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. The vaccine must be given after microchipping. The vaccination must be valid at the time of travel.

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

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 authorised veterinarian for Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (or equivalent) issued by an authorised veterinarian in the origin country
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • For Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City: a veterinary certificate in the format of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, endorsed by the competent authority

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, EU pet passport or veterinary certificate ~€50–150, health certificate endorsement ~€50–100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dutch NVWA.

For cats from Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City, the same rules as for EU countries apply. The cat must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and accompanied by an EU pet passport or a veterinary certificate. No titer test or quarantine is required. The cat must be at least 3 months old at rabies vaccination, but there is no minimum age for travel if the vaccination is valid. Tapeworm treatment is not required for cats.

NVWA Netherlands

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 authorised veterinarian for some countries) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (if issued in an EU country) or a veterinary certificate in the format of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, veterinary certificate and endorsement ~€100–200, possible courier fees. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dutch NVWA.

For cats from low-risk countries (e.g., USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada), the requirements are the same as for EU countries: microchip, rabies vaccination, and either an EU pet passport or an official veterinary certificate. No rabies titer test or quarantine is required. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. The cat must be at least 3 months old at rabies vaccination, but there is no minimum age for travel if the vaccination is valid. Tapeworm treatment is not required for cats.

NVWA Netherlands

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

  • Veterinary certificate in the format of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 577/2013, endorsed by the competent authority of the origin country
  • Proof of microchip (ISO 11784/11785)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory (FAVN or RFFIT, ≥0.5 IU/ml, at least 3 months before travel)

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: microchip ~€30–50, rabies vaccination ~€20–50, rabies titer test ~€100–250, veterinary certificate and endorsement ~€100–200, possible courier fees. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dutch NVWA.

For cats from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test is required. The test must be done at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. The cat must be microchipped, vaccinated, and accompanied by an official veterinary certificate. No quarantine is required if all conditions are met. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. The cat must be at least 3 months old at rabies vaccination. Tapeworm treatment is not required for cats.

NVWA Netherlands

Frequently asked questions

Up to 5 cats per traveller can be moved under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, the movement is considered commercial and additional requirements apply, such as registration and health certification for trade. For 5 or fewer, the pet travel rules described above apply.
No. The Netherlands does not exempt emotional support or service animals from the standard import requirements. All cats, regardless of their role, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and documentation rules. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but the import regulations are not waived.
There is no minimum age for travel itself, but the kitten must be at least 3 months old at the time of rabies vaccination. Since the rabies vaccination must be valid for at least 21 days before travel, the earliest a kitten can travel is 3 months + 21 days = approximately 3.5 months old. However, if the kitten is from a high-risk country, the titer test requires an additional 3 months wait after vaccination, so the minimum age would be 3 months + 30 days + 3 months = about 6.5 months.
No. Tapeworm treatment is only required for dogs entering certain EU countries (e.g., Ireland, Finland, Malta) and for dogs entering the UK. Cats are exempt from tapeworm treatment for entry into the Netherlands.
The microchip must comply with ISO 11784/11785. If your cat has a non-ISO microchip, you must carry a microchip reader that can read it, or have the cat re-microchipped with an ISO-compliant chip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
The rabies vaccination must be valid for at least 21 days after the primary vaccination and must not be expired. If it is a booster vaccination, it is valid immediately if given before the previous vaccination expired. The vaccine must be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
No. The Netherlands does not require an import permit for cats from any country, provided they meet the standard pet travel requirements. This applies to all tiers: free, low-risk, and high-risk. However, if you are travelling with more than 5 cats, commercial rules may apply and you should check with the NVWA.

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

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-recognised equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (or, for non-EU free-tier origins, a veterinary certificate issued within 10 days of travel)
  • Proof of rabies vaccination (date, vaccine batch, valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Microchip certificate or scan record showing ISO 11784/11785 chip number

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine applies for free-tier origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dutch NVWA.

Ferrets are covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme non-commercial rules (Regulation (EU) 576/2013), alongside dogs and cats. Free-tier origins include Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City. Entry requires a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and either an EU pet passport or a health certificate. The ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination and travel at least 21 days after the primary vaccination.

NVWA Netherlands

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 a USDA/Defra-endorsed veterinarian for non-EU origins) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • EU pet passport (for EU low-risk origins) or a veterinary certificate issued within 10 days of travel (for non-EU low-risk origins)
  • Proof of rabies vaccination (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Microchip certificate or scan record showing ISO 11784/11785 chip number

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, health certificate €50–150, rabies vaccination €20–50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine applies for low-risk origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dutch NVWA.

Low-risk origins include most of Europe, the US, UK, Japan, and Australia. The same EU Pet Travel Scheme rules apply as for free-tier origins: microchip, rabies vaccination, and a passport or health certificate. The ferret must be at least 12 weeks old at vaccination and travel at least 21 days after the primary vaccination.

NVWA Netherlands

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 (or a USDA/Defra-endorsed veterinarian for non-EU origins) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary certificate issued within 10 days of travel, endorsed by an official government veterinarian
  • Proof of rabies vaccination (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) result from an EU-approved laboratory, showing at least 0.5 IU/ml
  • Microchip certificate or scan record showing ISO 11784/11785 chip number

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip €30–50, rabies vaccination €20–50, FAVN titer test €100–250, health certificate €50–150. No import permit or quarantine applies for ferrets from high-risk origins. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dutch NVWA.

High-risk origins are countries flagged by the CDC as high-risk for dog rabies (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East). A rabies titer test is mandatory. The ferret must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, then have a blood sample taken at least 30 days later. The titer result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. The ferret must wait 3 months (90 days) from the date the blood sample was taken before entering the Netherlands. If the titer test is not done or fails, the ferret cannot enter.

NVWA Netherlands

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The US is a low-risk origin for rabies. Your ferret needs an ISO 11784/11785 microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel (and at least 12 weeks old at vaccination), and a veterinary certificate issued within 10 days of travel by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by APHIS. No titer test or import permit is required. The certificate must be in English or Dutch.
The Netherlands follows EU non-commercial movement rules for dogs, cats and ferrets. You can bring up to 5 ferrets per traveller without triggering commercial rules, provided they are for non-commercial purposes (e.g. accompanying you on a trip or moving house). If you bring more than 5, the movement is considered commercial and requires additional trade documents and veterinary checks.
It depends on the origin country. If your ferret is coming from a high-risk country for dog rabies (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East), a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) is mandatory. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, and the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. For low-risk or free-tier origins, no titer test is required.
No. The Netherlands does not quarantine ferrets that meet the EU entry requirements. If your ferret has a valid microchip, rabies vaccination, and (if required) a passing titer test, it can enter without quarantine. If the titer test is missing or failed for a high-risk origin, the ferret may be refused entry or quarantined at the owner's expense.
No. The Netherlands does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. Ferrets, even if they provide emotional support, must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate rules as any other ferret. There is no special exemption for service ferrets under EU pet travel law.
A ferret must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccination, and then must wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before travel. So the minimum age at entry is 15 weeks (12 weeks + 21 days). For high-risk origins, the ferret must also wait 90 days after the titer test blood draw, making the minimum age at entry around 7 months (12 weeks + 30 days + 90 days).
You need: (1) an ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate or scan record, (2) a rabies vaccination certificate showing the vaccine was given at least 21 days before travel, (3) a veterinary certificate issued within 10 days of travel by an official government veterinarian (or an EU pet passport for EU origins), and (4) for high-risk origins, a rabies titer test result from an EU-approved laboratory. No import permit is required for ferrets.

Good to know

The Netherlands follows EU Regulation 576/2013 for non-commercial movement of dogs, cats, and ferrets. Rules are harmonised across the EU, with additional conditions for certain non-EU countries. Verify current requirements with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) or your vet 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 Netherlands, 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 Netherlands's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.