Bringing Your Pet to Amsterdam, Step by Step
Relocating a pet to Amsterdam involves navigating the EU’s pet travel requirements, from microchipping and rabies vaccination to the right health certificate for entry into the Netherlands. Starwood Pet Travel handles every step of this process for you. We coordinate with airlines, ground handlers, and Dutch border officials to make sure your dog or cat arrives safely and on schedule.
Whether you’re moving to Amsterdam for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in the Netherlands, our team manages the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Airports Serving Amsterdam
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Why airport choice matters
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of Europe’s largest connecting hubs, so it is often the place other pets transfer on their way somewhere else. For Amsterdam itself, that works in your favor: wide nonstop service from the US means most pets can fly in without a European connection, and EU entry checks happen right on arrival. Starwood compares nonstop and connecting options and chooses the routing that’s safest for your pet.
Traveling to Amsterdam with Pets
What Are the Requirements to Bring My Pet to Amsterdam?
The Netherlands follows the European Union’s pet travel rules. Getting the steps in the right order is what lets pets enter without quarantine.
It starts with a microchip that meets ISO 11784/11785 standards. The chip must be implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccination, or the vaccine won’t count for EU travel. Your pet then needs a rabies vaccination, followed by a wait of at least 21 days. Some vaccine manufacturers require 30 days. For pets vaccinated in the US, the EU treats a first rabies shot as valid for only one year, even if it’s a three-year vaccine. Pets traveling from the United States don’t need a rabies antibody blood test, and the Netherlands doesn’t require tapeworm treatment for dogs.
The final piece is the EU health certificate. A USDA-accredited veterinarian issues it, and the USDA endorses it. For the Netherlands, the USDA must ink-sign and emboss the certificate, so the original paper document has to travel with your pet. New EU non-commercial certificates took effect October 1, 2026, and new commercial certificates took effect October 17, 2026. Under the new non-commercial certificate:
- The document is valid for 30 days after your vet issues it.
- USDA endorsement must happen within 10 days of your pet’s arrival in the EU.
- Once in the EU, the certificate can be used for travel within the EU for up to six months, as long as the rabies vaccination stays valid.
Once you’ve landed in Amsterdam, move quickly on dog registration. Dogs brought into the Netherlands must be registered in the national dog database within two weeks of arrival. A veterinarian, or a chipper listed in the national chipper register, can do it for you. Dogs in the Netherlands are also expected to have an EU pet passport, which a Dutch vet can issue at the same visit.
Commercial vs. non-commercial pet travel to Amsterdam
Your pet can travel under a non-commercial certificate if both of these apply:
- You’re on the same flight, or someone you authorize travels with your pet within five days of your own trip.
- You’re moving five or fewer pets.
A commercial certificate is required if no owner or authorized person can travel with the pet, if you’re moving six or more pets, or if the pet is changing owners. Commercial certificates require a veterinary exam within 48 hours of departure.
Here’s the reassuring part: when these steps are completed correctly and in sequence, quarantine is not required. Pets that arrive with missing or incorrect paperwork can be quarantined or refused entry at the owner’s expense. This is exactly why timing and sequencing matter, and it’s where working with a pet relocation specialist makes the most difference.
Which Airport Should I Fly My Pet Into, and What Happens on Arrival?
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the airport for any Amsterdam relocation, about 9 miles southwest of the city center. It has nonstop service from many US hubs, so most pets can fly in directly.
On arrival, your pet’s microchip and health certificate are checked at its first EU airport, which for a nonstop flight is Schiphol itself. Pets flying as cargo must also clear customs before they can be collected. Starwood coordinates clearance through our handling partners, so your pet moves from the aircraft to your new home as quickly as possible.
What Airlines Fly Pets to Amsterdam, and How Should I Choose a Route?
Most pets reach Amsterdam on nonstop flights from the US, with European connections as a backup. Not every airline accepts pets as cargo, and pet policies vary by route, so Starwood confirms each carrier’s current rules before booking.
The right route depends on your departure city, travel dates, your pet’s breed and size, and seasonal temperature restrictions. Snub-nosed breeds face extra airline limits. Starwood compares the options and books the safest, most direct routing available for your pet.
How Long Does the Process Take, and What Does It Cost?
For pets coming from the US, the minimum timeline is about 21 to 30 days after the rabies vaccination, depending on the vaccine. We recommend starting two to three months before your move. That leaves time for vet appointments, USDA endorsement, mailing the original ink-endorsed certificate, airline bookings, and seasonal restrictions.
Pets coming from countries the EU doesn’t list as low-risk need a rabies blood test and a three-month wait, so plan for at least four months.
Cost depends on your pet’s size, departure city, and routing. Use our cost calculator to get an estimate.
Why Choose Starwood for Pet Travel to Amsterdam?
Starwood Pet Travel is an IATA-certified international pet relocation company and part of IVC Evidensia. Moving a pet to the Netherlands comes with specific challenges:
- New EU health certificates
- Original ink USDA endorsement
- Choosing the right carrier at a busy hub
- Dog registration within two weeks of arrival
Our team handles all of it, from vet coordination and USDA paperwork to airline booking, customs clearance, and delivery to your door. Whether you’re moving to Amsterdam for work, relocating your family, or planning an extended stay in the Netherlands, we manage the logistics so you can focus on the move itself.
Ready to start your pet’s journey to Amsterdam? Request a free quote.
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