Is Belgium a good place to travel or relocate to with dogs and/or cats?

Here are reviews and details to help you see if this country is a good place to travel with your pets.

Official EU government website on importing pets

Official government website on pets coming from the US to Belgium

Entry Requirements from Non-high Rabies Countries 

Also called “Part 1” and “Part 2” listed countries

Medical Requirements: 

Before traveling, it’s important to ensure that the 1-year anti-rabies vaccination for your animal is valid.

In case it’s the animal’s first time receiving the rabies vaccine or if the previous vaccination wasn’t maintained, you must wait for 21 days after the vaccine administration.

Documentation Required and how to get it:

A veterinarian in the country of departure will issue an official health certificate for the pet.

If the pet is coming from the US, the certificate must be endorsed by a USDA Endorsement Office at least 10 days before the pet’s arrival in the European Union. Once you have a pet passport, traveling between countries within the EU is straightforward, as all the necessary information will be recorded in the passport.

It is advisable to obtain a pet passport if your pet will be traveling frequently within the EU or if you plan to return often. The pet passport will replace the health certificate for future visits.

In some cases, airlines may require a veterinarian’s certificate confirming that the pet is fit to travel.

Entry Requirements from High Rabies Country

Also called “Unlisted Countries”

Medical Requirements: 

Before traveling, your pet needs to have a valid anti-rabies vaccination.

Additionally, if you’re planning to travel to the European Union, your pet needs to have a blood test called a rabies titration test, which should be done at an EU-approved laboratory at least three months before your travel date. You can find a list of these approved laboratories on the Europa website.

If your pet’s rabies vaccine is kept current, the results of the initial test will remain valid.

 Documentation Required and how to get it: 

To travel with your pet, you need a document called a health certificate. You can get this document from a veterinarian in your home country. Make sure to check if the country you’re coming from has specific rules about how long before your trip you need to get the certificate.

If you’re going to travel a lot in Europe with your pet, it’s a good idea to get a pet passport when you arrive. The pet passport is like a special book where you keep all the important information about your pet.

Sometimes, airlines might ask for another document from your vet to confirm that your pet is healthy enough to travel.

Additional Considerations

Microchip Requirements: 

(ISO) standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 microchips given before or at the time of the rabies vaccine.

Quarantine Requirements (if any):

NA other than exceptional circumstances

Breed Restrictions:

Number of pet restrictions: 

5 pets per person

Is this country considered high-risk rabies for entry into the US?

No

Is this country considered high rabies for entry into EU countries?

No

Are you flying to Belgium?

Read Flying with a Dog Under the Airplane Seat: The Ultimate Guide

Read Flying with a Big Dog: Travel Tips for Ease & Safety

This information was last updated January 2023. If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.