Pet relocation to Netherlands 2026: Complete step-by-step guide
Bringing your pet to the Netherlands requires serious planning. Here's exactly what you need to know: microchip requirements, EU pet passport, rabies vaccination, Echinococcus treatment, blood tests (non-EU), costs, timeline, and interactive checklist.
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Key facts
Choose your pet type
Planning timeline: Start 6-12 months BEFORE moving
This is NOT a last-minute project
Begin planning immediately if you want to move within 6 months. Non-EU pets require minimum 4.5 months, EU pets require minimum 4 weeks.
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Research pet import regulations for your country |
| 9 months before | First vet appointment (microchip + passport start) |
| 6 months before | Vaccinations scheduled & treatments planned |
| 3 months before | Blood tests (if non-EU) sent to lab |
| 2 months before | All documents gathered & verified |
| 1 month before | Book pet travel or arrange transportation |
| 2 weeks before | Final vet check & health certificate |
| At border | Echinococcus treatment (24-120 hours before entry) |
Interactive pet relocation checklist
12 months before moving
Start planning for pet relocation
Research pet import regulations
Understand specific requirements for your country of origin. EU and non-EU pets have different requirements.
- •Determine if your country is EU or non-EU for pet import rules
- •Check NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) website
- •Verify if your country is "low-risk" or "high-risk" for rabies
- •Understand timeline: EU pets need 4-8 weeks, non-EU pets need 4.5-6 months minimum
- •Calculate total costs: EU pets €135-€400, non-EU pets €485-€1,040
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pet owners. Non-EU countries include UK, US, Canada, Australia. Start early - this is NOT a last-minute project.
9 months before moving
Begin veterinary preparations
Microchip installation
ISO-compliant microchip is mandatory and must be done BEFORE rabies vaccination.
- •Cost: €15-€30
- •Must be ISO-compliant microchip (NOT optional)
- •Implanted by licensed veterinarian
- •Chip placed between shoulder blades (small injection, like vaccination)
- •Vet provides microchip number for documentation
- •Can be done at any age (even puppies/kittens)
- •CRITICAL: Must be done BEFORE rabies vaccination
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets (dogs, cats, ferrets). This is step 1 - no other procedures can start without microchip.
Rabies vaccination
Mandatory rabies vaccination must be done AFTER microchip and requires 21-day waiting period.
- •Cost: €30-€50 per injection
- •Pet must be at least 12 weeks old
- •Vaccination MUST be done AFTER microchip implantation
- •Wait 21 days after vaccination before traveling to Netherlands
- •Timeline: Microchip → Rabies vax → Wait 21 days → Can travel
- •Minimum total time: 4 weeks (if microchipped young)
- •If traveling January 2026, rabies vax must be by November 2025
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets. This is the longest single waiting period (21 days). Plan accordingly.
6 months before moving
Vaccinations and treatments
EU pet passport (EU pets only)
Official travel document issued by EU veterinarian with all vaccination and treatment records.
- •Cost: €10-€30 (usually included with vet packages)
- •Issued by EU veterinarian only
- •Includes: microchip number, rabies vaccination records, Echinococcus treatment, pet description
- •Vet stamps and signatures required
- •Validity: 3 years typically
- •Required for all EU pet travel
💡 Tip: Applies to: EU pets only. Non-EU pets use health certificate instead.
3 months before moving
Blood tests and documentation (Non-EU)
Rabies antibody titration test (Non-EU only)
Blood test measuring rabies immunity level - required for non-EU pets with 3-month waiting period.
- •Cost: €50-€100
- •Blood sample taken at least 30 days AFTER rabies vaccination
- •Timeline: Vaccination → Wait 30+ days → Blood sample
- •Sample sent to EU-approved laboratory (2-3 weeks for results)
- •Result must show ≥0.5 IU/ml rabies antibody level
- •If antibody level too low: Must revaccinate and retest (adds 30+ days)
- •CRITICAL: Wait 3 calendar months after blood test before entry to Netherlands
- •Example: Blood test January 1 → Earliest entry April 1
- •If traveling January 2026, blood test must be by late September 2025
💡 Tip: Applies to: Non-EU pets only (UK, US, Canada, Australia, etc.). This adds 4.5 months to total timeline.
2 months before moving
Finalize all documentation
Health certificate (Non-EU pets)
Official health certificate from licensed vet with all documentation for non-EU pets.
- •Cost: €40-€80
- •Issued by licensed veterinarian in home country
- •Must use specific EU template (vet knows format)
- •Includes: microchip number, rabies vaccination details, Echinococcus treatment, blood test results
- •Must be signed within 10 days of travel
- •Requires EU-approved lab verification for blood tests
💡 Tip: Applies to: Non-EU pets only. EU pets use EU pet passport instead.
Gather all documentation
Collect and verify all pet documentation before travel.
- •Microchip documentation with number
- •EU pet passport (EU pets) OR health certificate (non-EU pets)
- •Rabies vaccination certificate with batch number and dates
- •Blood test results (non-EU pets) - must show ≥0.5 IU/ml
- •Echinococcus treatment record (to be done 24-120 hours before entry)
- •Vet contact information in home country
- •Pet description (color, markings, breed)
- •Make copies of all documents (digital + physical)
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets. Keep copies separate from originals in case of loss.
1 month before moving
Book travel and final preparations
Book pet travel
Reserve pet travel 8-12 weeks in advance - airlines have limited pet spots.
- •Cabin travel: Pets under 5kg (cost: €50-€150), must fit under seat
- •Cargo travel: Pets over 5kg (cost: €300-€600), pressurized climate-controlled hold
- •Pet-friendly airlines: KLM (cabin <8kg), Lufthansa (cabin <10kg), Air France (cabin <5kg)
- •Get airline-approved pet carrier
- •Confirm health certificate meets airline requirements
- •Arrive 1-2 hours early on travel day for pet paperwork
- •Alternative: Pet relocation service (€1,500-€3,500) handles everything
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets flying. Driving from EU is alternative (no additional checks needed).
2 weeks before moving
Final vet check and health certificate
Echinococcus treatment
Mandatory parasite treatment required 24-120 hours (1-5 days) BEFORE entry to Netherlands.
- •Cost: €30-€60 per treatment
- •MUST be done 24-120 hours (1-5 days) BEFORE entry
- •Schedule with home country vet before departure
- •Treatment must be documented in EU pet passport or health certificate
- •Typical plan: Day 1 vet appointment → Days 2-5 travel window
- •If home vet doesn't have treatment: Order through Dutch pharmacy or arrange with NL vet
💡 Tip: Applies to: All EU and non-EU pets. This is mandatory - no exceptions. Time it correctly!
Final vet appointment
Last check-up and health certificate signing within 10 days of travel.
- •Schedule final vet appointment 7-10 days before travel
- •Vet signs health certificate (must be within 10 days of travel)
- •Confirm all vaccinations are recorded correctly
- •Get Echinococcus treatment administered (or schedule for 1-5 days before travel)
- •Ask for vet's contact info in case border officials have questions
- •Verify pet is healthy for travel (no illness, injuries, or stress signs)
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets. This is your last chance to fix any documentation issues before travel.
At border/arrival
Border procedures and entry requirements
Border entry & documentation check
Present all pet documentation at Netherlands border for verification.
- •Present EU pet passport (EU pets) or health certificate (non-EU pets)
- •Show proof of microchip
- •Confirm Echinococcus treatment was done within 24-120 hours
- •Border officials may scan microchip
- •Pet must be at least 15 weeks old (105 days)
- •If documentation incomplete: Pet denied entry
- •EES registration applies to you (not pet) - biometric data collected at border
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets. Have all documents easily accessible. Border checks are strict.
Within 2 weeks of arrival
Dutch registration and legalities
Register dog with municipality (Dogs only)
Mandatory dog registration within 14 days of arrival - required by law.
- •Cost: €0-€30 depending on municipality
- •Go to municipality office within 14 days
- •Bring: microchip documentation, EU pet passport/health certificate, proof of residence
- •Process takes 15-30 minutes
- •Receive official registration certificate
- •If dog escapes/is found, microchip links to your registration
- •Required for insurance claims
💡 Tip: Applies to: Dogs only. Cats and ferrets do not need municipal registration.
Check dog tax requirements (Dogs only)
35% of Dutch municipalities have dog tax (up to 122 municipalities). Check if your city charges.
- •Top 10 cities WITH dog tax: Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht (€145.44/year - HIGHEST), Katwijk (€132.21/year), Tilburg (€128.76/year), Barendrecht (€114.72/year), De Bilt (€111.00/year), Utrechtse Heuvelrug (€107.36/year), Oegstgeest (€106.93/year), Haarlem (€104.28/year), Vlissingen (€102.75/year), Den Bosch (€102.12/year)
- •Cities WITHOUT dog tax: Amsterdam (abolished 2017), Rotterdam (abolished 2018), Utrecht (abolished 2023), The Hague (abolished 2024), Groningen (abolished 2022)
- •Second dog tax typically higher (example: Haarlem 1st dog €104.28, 2nd dog €176.52)
- •Check your municipality website for specific rates
💡 Tip: Applies to: Dogs only. If dog tax matters to budget, choose city without it.
Register with Dutch veterinarian
Find local vet and register your pet with medical history.
- •Search "dierenarts" + your city on Google Maps
- •Verify vet speaks English
- •First appointment: €50-€80 consultation
- •Bring all pet documents (passport/health certificate, vaccination records)
- •Annual check-up costs: €60-€100
- •Vaccinations: €30-€50 each
- •Emergency vet (nights/weekends): €100-€150 base + treatment
- •Consider pet insurance: €15-€40/month (covers 70-90% of vet costs)
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets. Register immediately so you have vet contact for emergencies.
Consider pet insurance
Optional but recommended - covers vet costs for accidents and illnesses.
- •Cost: €15-€40/month depending on coverage
- •Covers: Veterinary treatment (70-90% typically), accidents, chronic conditions (sometimes excluded initially)
- •Popular providers: Dierenverzekeringen.nl (comparison site), Allianz, AXA, VGZ
- •Not mandatory but wise: Standard vet visits €50-€150, emergencies €500+
- •Apply within first 2 weeks for best coverage (no pre-existing conditions)
💡 Tip: Applies to: All pets. Highly recommended for peace of mind and financial protection.
Pet relocation cost breakdown: Real numbers 2025
| Expense | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| EU Pet | ||
| Microchip | €15 | €30 |
| Rabies vaccination | €30 | €50 |
| Echinococcus treatment | €30 | €60 |
| EU pet passport | €10 | €30 |
| Airline (cabin) | €50 | €150 |
| Dutch vet registration | €0 | €50 |
| Dog registration | €0 | €30 |
| EU Pet Total | €135-€400 | |
| Non-EU Pet | ||
| Microchip | €15 | €30 |
| Rabies vaccination | €30 | €50 |
| Blood test | €50 | €100 |
| Lab fee | €20 | €40 |
| Echinococcus treatment | €30 | €60 |
| Health certificate | €40 | €80 |
| Airline (cargo) | €300 | €600 |
| Dutch vet registration | €0 | €50 |
| Dog registration | €0 | €30 |
| Non-EU Pet Total | €485-€1,040 | |
| Optional (Both) | ||
| Pet insurance (annual) | €180 | €480 |
| Dog tax (annual) | €0 | €139 |
Dutch pet culture & etiquette
Leash laws
- •Dogs must be on leash in public areas (parks, streets, shops)
- •Exception: Designated off-leash areas (some parks have these)
- •Beach access: Varies by municipality and season (some restricted June-August)
- •Violation: €50-€100 fine
Waste management
Social expectation: Pick up immediately after your dog. Dutch are VERY serious about this.
- •Poop bags provided at most public areas
- •Failure to clean up: Heavy social criticism + possible fines (€50-€100)
- •Disposal: Use trash bins marked for dog waste or regular trash
Parks & recreation
Dog parks: Most cities have dedicated off-leash dog parks (hondenlosloopgebied)
- •Free to use, usually fenced, dogs off-leash allowed
- •Cycling paths: Dogs should NOT be on cycling paths - Dutch cyclists are intense and won't slow down
- •Social norm: Even in off-leash areas, keep dogs nearby and under voice control
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel with my pet before all vaccinations are complete?
No. Regulations are strict. All requirements must be met or pet is denied entry at the border. This includes microchip, rabies vaccination with 21-day waiting period, Echinococcus treatment (24-120 hours before entry), and for non-EU pets, blood test results with 3-month waiting period.
My pet failed the rabies antibody test. What now?
Pet must be revaccinated, wait 30+ days, and retest. This adds approximately 1.5 months to your timeline. The test requires ≥0.5 IU/ml rabies antibody level. If failed, consult with vet about proper vaccination dosage and timing for retest.
I'm moving to Amsterdam (no dog tax). Can my friend moving to Tilburg get a better deal if we register at same time?
No. Dog tax is determined by municipality of residence. You pay what YOUR city charges. Amsterdam abolished dog tax in 2017 (€0/year), while Tilburg charges €132.28/year. Only 33% of Dutch municipalities (113 of 342) have dog tax.
Can I bring multiple pets?
Yes, same requirements apply per pet. If flying, check airline limits for cabin/cargo. Each pet needs individual microchip, rabies vaccination, Echinococcus treatment, and documentation (EU pet passport or health certificate). Costs multiply accordingly: 2 EU pets = €270-€800, 2 non-EU pets = €970-€2,080.
Is bird/rabbit import easier?
Rabbits/birds/ferrets need simpler documentation (no rabies requirements for rabbits and birds). Check NVWA website for specific species requirements. Ferrets follow same rules as dogs/cats (microchip, rabies vaccination, Echinococcus treatment).
My home country vet refused to administer Echinococcus treatment because they don't sell it.
Order treatment through Dutch pharmacy, have home vet administer it, or arrange with Netherlands vet before departure. Treatment must be given 24-120 hours before entry, so coordinate timing carefully. Some expats successfully order medication online from EU pharmacies for home vet to administer.
Pet visibly stressed during travel. Will it recover?
Pets typically adjust within 3-7 days. Provide familiar bedding, maintain routine, and offer quiet space. Monitor eating/drinking habits. If stress persists beyond 1 week, consult Dutch vet - they can prescribe calming supplements or anxiety medication if needed.