The Netherlands
Entry Requirements
Bringing a Dog to the Netherlands
Is the Netherlands a good place to travel or relocate to with dogs and/or cats?
Every country has rules and regulations to follow in order to bring your cat or dog into their country. That is an important consideration when deciding if it works for you to bring your pet.
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 the Netherlands
Official Netherlands government website on importing pets
Entry Requirements from Non-high Rabies Countries
Also called “Part 1” and “Part 2” listed countries
Medical Requirements:
Before traveling, it is mandatory for the 1-year anti-rabies vaccination to be current and up-to-date.
Additionally, if the animal has not been vaccinated against rabies before or if the previous vaccination was not kept current, a waiting period of 21 days after the vaccination is required before traveling.
Documentation Required and how to get it:
When traveling to another country with your pet, you need a health certificate. A veterinarian in your home country will give you this.
If you’re coming from the United States to Europe, the health certificate must be checked by a special office called the USDA Endorsement Office at least 10 days before your pet arrives in Europe.
If you plan on traveling a lot in Europe with your pet, it’s a good idea to get a pet passport once you arrive. A pet passport is a booklet for your pet where all the important information about your pet is recorded.
Sometimes, airlines may need another document from your vet to make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel.
Entry Requirements from High Rabies Country
Also called “Unlisted Countries”
Medical Requirements:
To travel with your pet, you must make sure that their anti-rabies vaccination is still good.
Also, if you’re traveling to a European Union country from a high-rabies country, you need to get a rabies blood test done at a special lab that the EU approves at least three months before traveling. You can find a list of these labs on the Europa website.
If your pet’s rabies vaccine is kept up-to-date, the results of the first blood test will be valid, and you won’t need to get another one.
Documentation Required and how to get it:
When traveling with your pet, you need to obtain an official health certificate issued by a veterinarian in your home country. Check if your country has specific timeline requirements for the certificate before you travel.
If your pet will be traveling frequently within the European Union or returning often, it is recommended to obtain a pet passport. This document contains all the necessary information about your pet.
Additionally, some airlines may require a veterinarian’s certificate confirming 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:
Not specifically, but The Public Prosecution Service may prosecute an owner if their dog attacks a person or another animal. Municipal authorities can order a dog owner to keep their dog muzzled or leashed in public.
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 the Netherlands?
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 February 2023. If you notice any errors or updates, please let us know by contacting us here.
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2 Reviews on “The Netherlands”
I take my dog with me all over Amsterdam! She’s welcome on trams, buses, trains, bikes, taxis, boat tours, and even comes along to haircuts, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and my pilates studio. The only places she’s been turned away from are grocery stores and a few “open kitchen” restaurants. Dogs are treated like royalty here, and Vondelpark is completely off-leash—it’s a doggie paradise!
Amsterdam can be a little challenging especially at first because it is very busy with lots of bicycles, people, cars etc. that it can feel a little chaotic and my pup was a little nervous.
In some ways Amsterdam with a dog is awesome because I could even eat inside a lot of cafes with my maltipoo. It was also tough because I met up with some friends and we wanted to go out. He could come with us to some bars and we sat on the patio, but clubs aren’t really dog friendly. We got an airbnb and it was no big deal since it was his bed time anyway, so he slept in his crate and we could go out. It was cool to walk along the canals. The only problem is there are a lot of bicycles. They have their own lane and everything, but they come flying, so I had to grab my poor dog out of the way a couple of times.