Your pet’s safe trip to or from
the Netherlands starts here

Pet Microchipping Requirements in the Netherlands

All dogs and cats entering the Netherlands from a non-EU country must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. This is a hard requirement — tattoos are not accepted as the sole form of identification.

The microchip must be implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination. If your pet received its rabies vaccination before being microchipped, the vaccination may not be considered valid for entry purposes, and the vaccination sequence may need to be restarted.

Within the Netherlands, microchipping and registration with the Dutch national pet database (I&R honden — Identification and Registration for dogs) is mandatory for all dogs. Registration is handled through your veterinarian and must be completed within eight weeks of the dog entering the country.

Cats are not legally required to be microchipped in the Netherlands, but it is strongly recommended.

Rabies Vaccination Requirements

The Netherlands requires all dogs and cats entering from non-EU countries to have a valid rabies vaccination. The vaccination must be administered after microchipping, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.

For pets traveling from most non-EU countries, including the United States, there is a 21-day wait after the initial rabies vaccination before the pet is eligible to enter the EU. If your pet has a documented history of rabies vaccinations with no gaps, this waiting period is already satisfied.

The Netherlands is a rabies-free country. As a result, maintaining your pet's rabies vaccination status throughout their time in the country is important both for compliance and for future travel.

For some higher-risk origin countries, a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) may also be required. This is not standard for pets coming from the US, UK, or other listed countries, but it's worth confirming based on your specific origin. Read more about rabies titer tests and when they're required →

Is There Quarantine for Pets Entering the Netherlands?

No. The Netherlands does not require quarantine for pets arriving from EU member states or from countries on the EU's approved list of third countries — which includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others — provided all documentation requirements are met.

If your paperwork is incomplete or your pet's vaccination records do not satisfy entry requirements, your pet could be detained at the border until the issue is resolved, or returned to the country of origin. This is why getting documentation right before travel is critical.

There is no quarantine facility at Amsterdam Schiphol for companion animals entering under standard pet travel rules.

Entering the Netherlands Through Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS) is the primary international arrival point for pets being relocated to the Netherlands. It is one of the best-connected airports in Europe and handles a significant volume of live animal shipments.

Pets traveling as accompanied baggage or in-cabin arrive through Schiphol's passenger terminals. Pets traveling as unaccompanied cargo — which is the standard for many international relocations, particularly for larger dogs — are processed through Schiphol's dedicated cargo facilities. The airport has an animal hotel operated by KLM Cargo (known as the Animal Hotel) that handles transit pets and cargo animals.

Key airlines with direct cargo routes and established live animal programs serving AMS include KLM, Delta, United, and Lufthansa. Route availability and airline pet policies change seasonally — summer heat embargoes can restrict certain cargo routes — so working with a professional pet relocation service ensures you're booked on routes that are actually available and appropriate for your pet.

Breed Restrictions in the Netherlands

The Netherlands repealed its national breed-specific legislation in 2009. There is no federal ban on specific dog breeds. This means dogs such as American Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, and similar breeds can legally enter and reside in the Netherlands, provided they meet all standard import requirements.

However, individual Dutch municipalities may have their own local regulations or requirements around certain breeds. If you're moving to a specific city, it's worth confirming local rules with your municipality (gemeente).

Owners of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pugs should be aware that the Netherlands has implemented strict regulations around the breeding of these dogs due to welfare concerns. There are no restrictions on owning or importing these breeds, but breeding is subject to health requirements enforced by the NVWA.

What About the EU's New Pet Travel Rules in 2026?

The EU introduced updated regulations on pet travel in 2026 that affect some documentation requirements and procedures for pets entering from third countries. If you're planning a relocation to the Netherlands, it's important to verify that your health certificate and documentation reflect the most current standards.

Read the full breakdown of new EU pet travel rules →

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Pet to the Netherlands?

The cost of relocating a pet to the Netherlands depends on your origin city, your pet's size, whether your pet travels in-cabin or as cargo, and the level of service you choose. Most US-to-Netherlands relocations fall in the range of several thousand dollars when accounting for veterinary preparation, documentation, airline fees, and logistics.

See average pet relocation costs by country →

Useful Links

• NVWA – Official Dutch authority for pet import regulations: nvwa.nl/onderwerpen/dier/honden-en-katten
• EU Regulation 576/2013 on non-commercial movement of pet animals: eur-lex.europa.eu
• USDA APHIS – Pet export requirements: aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
• Starwood Pet Travel – Rabies titer test guide: starwoodpet.com/blog/what-is-a-rabies-titer-test-and-when-do-you-need-one
• Starwood Pet Travel – How it works: starwoodpet.com/how-it-works
• Starwood Pet Travel – Pet relocation costs: starwoodpet.com/international-pet-relocation-costs

The CDC does not require a general certificate of health for dogs or cats entering the United States. However, this does not mean you can skip the paperwork.

Most major airlines that accept pets as cargo or checked baggage require a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Individual US states may also impose their own entry requirements, including proof of rabies vaccination and a health certificate. You'll need to check the regulations for your specific destination state.

For cats specifically, the CDC requires only that they appear healthy upon arrival. Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the US at the federal level, though it is strongly recommended and your airline or destination state may require it.

The US does not have a federal microchip requirement for pet entry, but having your pet microchipped is strongly recommended — and since it's already required under Dutch and EU law, your pet coming from the Netherlands should already have an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip in place.

Keep all Dutch documentation organized before you leave: your pet's EU Pet Passport (which contains the microchip number, vaccination history, and veterinary records), any health certificates, and records of veterinary treatments. These will be useful not just at the US border but for registering with a new veterinarian in the US.

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is the primary departure airport for pets leaving the Netherlands to the US. It is well-connected to major US hubs including New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Washington Dulles, with direct services operated by KLM, Delta, and United, among others.

For small dogs and cats that meet size and weight requirements, in-cabin travel may be an option on some transatlantic routes — but this varies by airline and is not universally permitted on long-haul international flights. Most larger dogs will travel as checked baggage or as manifest cargo.

Summer heat embargoes are a factor on this route. From approximately May through September, many airlines restrict or suspend live animal cargo on certain routes when temperatures at origin, transit, or destination airports are expected to exceed thresholds. If you're planning a summer move, routing and timing will need to be planned carefully around these restrictions.

Learn how Starwood manages routing and cargo logistics →